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2026 travel bucket list: 8 visa-free countries for Indian passport holders

TOI Lifestyle Desk
| ETimes.in | Last updated on - Jan 4, 2026, 10:00 IST
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2026 travel bucket list: 8 visa-free countries for Indian passport holders

International travel, if planned nicely, is easier than you can imagine. And for Indian passport holders, 2026 brings encouraging news for those planning overseas trips without the paperwork stress. Several destinations now allow Indians to enter without a visa, though some may require a simple online form or pre-arrival declaration. If you also belong to the category who don’t want to waste time in visa work, here are 10 countries Indians can travel to visa-free in 2026. Find out all details about key entry conditions, estimated flight costs, and the best time to visit.

2/9

Malaysia

Best part about visiting this place is that it will continue to be visa free for Indians till December 2026. Travellers will need to provide the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) prior to arrival. Return flights would be approximately between INR 15,000 and INR 22,000. As to what time of the year is best to visit, we would say November through April are the best months with cooler temperatures and ideal weather for sightseeing or beach vacations.

3/9

Maldives

The Maldives remains to be visa-free for Indian visitors. What you should know is that a travel declaration must be made at the IMUGA portal before arriving. The same package with return flights will be priced at approximately INR 20,000. This beautiful place is best visited between November and April.

4/9

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is another very popular hotspot for Indian tourists. It’s visa-free, and if planned properly (combined with flights or overnight trains) will be relatively easy on the wallet. A return fare flight doesn’t typically exceed 20K INR. Watch out for their sales and discounts! Off the coasts, the best time to visit in general is December to March in the west and south (southwest coast) and from April through November on the east coast.

5/9

Mauritius

Mauritius also permits Indians to stay without a visa for up to 90 days. Watch for the flight price; it should come down at about INR 45,000! According to travel experts, travel season is from May through December, giving you plenty of time to plan your visit.

6/9

Kazakh​stan

Kazakhstan offers visa-free entry to Indians for 14 days. Return flights will usually cost between INR 20,000 and INR 40,000. An ideal place to visit for unique experiences. The best time to visit is during April–May and September–October, when the weather is comfortable.

7/9

Philippines

A visa-free stay of 14 days is allowed for Indian nationals travelling to the Philippines. Return airfare possibly INR 40,000 range. The best time to visit is from November through April. Not a bad selection at all, with options appropriate for all types of travelers.

8/9

Seychelles

Seychelles permits visa-free stays for Indians for up to 30 days. Return flights will typically cost between INR 28,000 and INR 40,000. The best time to visit is from April to November.

9/9

Hong Kong

Indians can enter Hong Kong without a visa for a maximum of 14 days. The Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR) form must be filled out online by travelers. Prices for return flights typically range from INR 20,000 to INR 35,000. The optimum months to go are thought to be March through May and October through November.

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