What Exactly Has Changed?
In 2026, several countries have revised their entry policies for Indian citizens, moving away from more relaxed visa rules. The Atlantic island nation of Cabo Verde discontinued its visa-on-arrival facility for Indians, along with citizens of 95 other
countries, starting January 1, 2026. Previously, travellers could register online and get a visa upon landing. Now, a visa must be secured before departure. Similarly, the Central American nation of Nicaragua removed its visa-on-arrival option for Indians as of February 16, 2026. Indian passport holders are now placed in 'Category C', requiring them to obtain prior authorisation from Nicaraguan immigration authorities before even boarding a flight. These changes mirror a decision made earlier by Bolivia, which also replaced its visa-on-arrival system for Indians with a mandatory e-visa application process that requires pre-approval.
The Unspoken Reason: The 'Donkey Route'
While official statements often cite security and immigration control, the coordinated timing of these policy changes points to a more specific issue: the use of these countries as transit points for irregular migration to the United States. This pathway is popularly known as the 'donkey route' or 'dunki'. It's an illegal migration method where individuals from India, seeking to enter the US without valid documents, travel via a chain of countries with lenient visa policies. Latin American and African nations have frequently served as starting points for this dangerous overland journey. Migrants fly legally to a country like Bolivia or Nicaragua and then begin a treacherous trek northward, often guided by human smuggling networks and facing immense risks, including crossing the perilous Darién Gap between Colombia and Panama.
Mounting International Pressure
It is widely believed that these smaller nations are tightening their visa regimes under pressure from the United States. The US has been actively working to curb the flow of illegal immigration at its southern border and has identified these transit hubs as a key part of the problem. By making it harder for migrants to gain an initial foothold in the Americas, the US aims to disrupt the smuggling networks that facilitate the 'donkey route'. In recent years, the number of Indian migrants encountered at the US border had surged, prompting increased scrutiny. While the number of encounters saw a significant drop between 2025 and 2026, the underlying diplomatic pressure on transit countries to enforce stricter visa controls remains high. These countries are essentially being asked to police their borders more rigorously to prevent would-be migrants from starting their journey.
Consequences for the Indian Passport
These visa restrictions have a direct impact on the power and perception of the Indian passport. According to the Henley Passport Index, the number of destinations accessible to Indian passport holders without a prior visa has fallen in 2026. India's global ranking slipped from 75th in February to 81st in July 2026, with the number of visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations dropping from 57 to 55 after the changes by countries including Iran, Bolivia, and Cape Verde. For genuine tourists and business travellers, this trend is a significant inconvenience. It adds another layer of bureaucracy and uncertainty to international travel, requiring more advance planning and paperwork for trips that were once spontaneous. It underscores a new reality where the actions of a few using these routes illegally can lead to restricted access for all.
