The End of an Easy Entry to Persia
Iran has officially withdrawn its visa-free entry policy for Indian passport holders. The change, which came into effect in late 2025, means that travellers looking to explore Iran's ancient architecture and UNESCO World Heritage Sites must now obtain
a visa before their journey. Previously, Indians could enter for up to 15 days for tourism without prior approval. The decision was made to prevent the misuse of the facility by criminal elements, following incidents where Indian nationals were lured to the country with false job offers and subsequently kidnapped for ransom, according to India's Ministry of External Affairs. Now, applying for an e-visa and receiving an authorisation code before booking flights is the new mandatory process.
A Broader Pattern of Closing Doors
Iran's policy shift is not an isolated event. It reflects a wider, more subtle trend of countries re-evaluating and tightening their visa rules for Indians in 2026. Several other nations have also made access more difficult this year. Bolivia, for example, has replaced its convenient visa-on-arrival system with a more formal e-visa process that requires prior online application and approval. Similarly, the African island nation of Cape Verde ended its visa-on-arrival facility for Indians from January 1, 2026, mandating a visa before arrival. Nicaragua has also introduced a significant change, moving Indian passport holders into a 'Consulted Visa' category, which requires prior authorisation from its immigration authorities before travellers can even board their flight. These changes have contributed to a slight dip in the Henley Passport Index ranking for India, which now provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 55 destinations, down from 57 the previous year.
Confusion in Southeast Asia
Even popular Southeast Asian destinations have seen confusing policy shifts. Thailand, a perennial favourite for Indian tourists, has had a volatile visa policy in 2026. After offering a 60-day visa exemption, the Thai Cabinet announced in May that it would be scrapped, moving India back to the 15-day visa-on-arrival category. However, following a drop in arrivals attributed to the confusion, the government reversed its decision in July, reinstating a 30-day visa-free entry. While the access remains, the period of uncertainty has shown how quickly policies can change, disrupting travel plans. In contrast, Malaysia has provided a stable and welcome policy, extending its 30-day visa-free entry for Indian citizens until the end of December 2026, though travellers must complete the mandatory Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online before arrival.
Where Can Indians Still Travel with Ease?
Despite these tightening measures, many countries continue to welcome Indian travellers with open arms and minimal paperwork. The list of visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or e-visa destinations remains extensive. In Asia, countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Indonesia (visa-on-arrival), Maldives, and Sri Lanka remain highly accessible. Further afield, Mauritius and Seychelles in the Indian Ocean offer long visa-free stays of up to 90 days. Several Caribbean nations, including Barbados, Jamaica, and Dominica, also provide visa-free access, with Dominica allowing a stay of up to six months. For those seeking adventure in Africa, countries like Kenya and Tanzania offer straightforward e-visa or visa-on-arrival processes. The key takeaway is that while some doors have become harder to open, a significant part of the world remains readily accessible for Indian passport holders.
