Southeast Asia Opens Its Doors
For Indian passport holders, Southeast Asia has become significantly more accessible. In a major push to boost tourism, countries like Malaysia and Thailand have launched attractive visa exemption schemes. Malaysia has extended its visa-free entry for
Indian citizens for stays of up to 30 days, a policy now valid through the end of 2026. This move removes a significant layer of paperwork and cost, making spontaneous trips to Kuala Lumpur or Langkawi much easier. All that's required is a valid passport, proof of funds, return tickets, and the completion of the online Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) before you fly. Thailand, another perennial favourite, has also adjusted its policies. After a period of offering a 60-day visa exemption, the Thai Cabinet revised its rules in May 2026. Indian travellers have now been moved back to the Visa on Arrival (VoA) category. While no longer visa-free, the VoA system still provides a straightforward way to enter the country for a holiday. Similarly, Sri Lanka has continued its own simplified electronic travel authorization (ETA) program for Indian tourists, bolstering the trend of easier travel within the region. These changes are a direct effort by governments to capture a larger share of India's booming outbound tourism market.
Europe's New Digital Frontier
Travel to Europe is also undergoing a major digital transformation, though it adds a new step for visitors. The long-anticipated European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is now expected to be implemented in late 2026, with a transitional period extending into 2027. It is crucial to understand that ETIAS is not a visa and does not apply to Indian citizens, who still need to apply for a Schengen visa as before. ETIAS is for nationals of countries that are currently visa-exempt for the Schengen Area. However, all non-EU travellers, including Indians, will be affected by the new Entry/Exit System (EES). Expected to be fully operational in 2026, the EES will replace manual passport stamping with a digital system that records entries and exits using biometric data like fingerprints and facial scans. This is designed to streamline border crossings and better track overstays. While it aims for efficiency, travellers should anticipate that it might initially lengthen processing times at airports during its rollout phase.
The UK's Path to Digital Visas
The United Kingdom has also been revamping its border controls. The country introduced an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which, much like Europe's ETIAS, applies only to nationalities who do not need a visa for short visits. Indian passport holders are not eligible for the ETA and must continue to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa. Any information suggesting Indians can use the UK ETA is incorrect; the full visa application process remains mandatory. However, the UK is digitising its visa process. Since February 2026, the UK has shifted to a mandatory eVisa system for Indian travellers. This means that instead of a physical visa sticker in your passport, your permission to travel is linked digitally. While applicants still need to attend a visa application centre for biometric submission (fingerprints and photo), the new system aims to create a more secure and tamper-proof record of immigration status.
What This Means for Your Travel Plans
The global trend is a tale of two distinct approaches. On one hand, many tourism-focused economies, particularly in Asia and parts of Africa, are removing visa barriers to make access easier and cheaper for Indian travellers. Countries like Kenya and Iran have also joined the list of destinations offering visa-free access or simplified e-visas. This has opened up a wider range of possibilities for holidays that require less advance planning. On the other hand, Western nations like the UK and those in the Schengen Area are tightening their digital security frameworks. While not necessarily making it harder to get permission to enter, these new systems (EES and digital visas) introduce additional digital steps and data collection points that all travellers must navigate. The key takeaway for the Indian traveller is that the rules are more dynamic than ever. What was true for a trip last year may not be true this year.
