An Indian software developer has expressed frustration with the lack of mobility offered by his Indian passport — noting how every international trip requires extensive paperwork. In a post shared on the social media platform X, Kunal Kushwaha said that an Indian passport “no longer adds value” to his life.
(Also read: Travel vlogger’s rant on Indian passport goes viral: ‘Har jagah entry denied’)
The problem with an Indian passport
Kushwaha spoke about his personal experience of having his mobility being restricted due to his passport. The London-based techie said that he could not travel to Ireland for his best friend’s birthday.
“My best friend lives in Ireland. His birthday was recently. A normal thing would be to book a ticket and surprise him. Instead, I opened visa websites,” he claimed.
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The reason for his inability to travel to Ireland was because a recent trip to Germany reduced the number of days he’s allowed under Schengen rules.
{{/usCountry}}The reason for his inability to travel to Ireland was because a recent trip to Germany reduced the number of days he’s allowed under Schengen rules.
{{/usCountry}}“I was already in Berlin a few days ago. That single detail meant I couldn’t join my friends in Dublin for Christmas, not because of money, not because of time, but because I didn’t have enough days left to apply for another visa,” Kushwaha said.
‘Schengen applications feel like a full-time job’
The techie echoed the sentiments of thousands of other Indians when he reflected about the amount of paperwork a Schengen visa requires.
“I’ve stood in long airport queues watching others breeze through while I pull out folders of documents I’ve already submitted multiple times,” he said. “Schengen applications feel like a full-time job: bank statements, cover letters, bookings, explanations for doing… normal human travel.”
From that, he segued into other problems with the country — like the deprecating value of the rupee and the deteriorating air quality.
(Also read: Founder refuses to give up India passport despite 9 years in Germany: ‘I am Indian’)
Kushwaha also called the banking system of India antiquated. “Banking and KYC back home still feel stuck in another decade. Endless paperwork. Delays. Follow-ups. Visits. Re-submissions,” he said.
The London-based professional concluded by saying that his post is not about patriotism but about “friction”.
“It’s about friction. About how much harder life becomes when you work globally but carry a passport that limits time, and mental bandwidth,” he wrote. “National pride is not a substitute for global mobility.”