Indians can make visa-free entry to these countries after Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka join list

Malaysia joined the list of countries providing visa-free facility to Indian nationals to promote tourism.

Published on: Nov 28, 2023, 11:01:30 IST

By HT News Desk

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The Passport Index, a global benchmark for passport strength and travel freedom, has placed India at the 137th position in its latest ranking. The index, which evaluates passport strength based on the number of countries citizens can visit without a visa, revealed that Indian passport holders face visa requirements for entry into 123 countries.

Malaysia joined the list of countries providing visa-free facility to Indian nationals to promote tourism.. (HT)

The Passport Index also discloses India's Passport Power Rank, which stands at 68. While this number signifies a moderate standing in comparison to other nations, it reflects the current state of India's international mobility amid three South Asian countries deciding on visa-free travel for Indian nationals for a certain period.

With a mobility score of 75, the Indian passport allows visa-free travel to 23 countries and visa-on-arrival access to 49 nations, according to the index. However, three more countries have allowed visa-free entry to Indian nationals to boost tourism, taking the tally to 26.

Indian passport holders can now make visa free-entry in Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Macao, Mauritius, Micronesia, Nepal, Palestinian Territories, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday announced 30-day visa-free entry for Indian and Chinese citizens from December 1, joining Thailand and Sri Lanka in recent weeks to offer such a facility to foreigners to promote tourism. The 30-day visa-free entry is also currently enjoyed by eight ASEAN countries for the purpose of social visits, tourism and business.

India remains among the top countries to contribute tourist arrivals to Malaysia.

Sri Lanka has introduced a visa-free entry initiative for visitors from India and six other countries, encompassing China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand.

This initiative will remain effective until March 31, 2024, and aims to boost tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, with the tourism ministry setting a target of attracting five million tourists in the coming years.

Thailand has also lifted visa requirements for visitors from India and Taiwan. Indians can travel to Thailand without a visa and stay for up to 30 days, the government announced recently.

This visa-free access for Indian passport holders is applicable from November 10, 2023, to May 10, 2024.

India's passport ranking is likely to improve after these announcements.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) remains the country with the world's strongest passport, boasting a visa-free travel privilege to 116 countries and visa-on-arrival access to 57 nations. The UAE's total mobility score reached an impressive 173.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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