The European Commission has revealed its plan to digitalize the Schengen visa. This will replace the mostly paper-based application system to obtain a visa for EU and Schengen countries currently in place. This means the Schengen visa will soon be available through a simplified online application process, similar to the European Travel Information and Authorization
Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens
Visa requirements for Indian nationals are entry restrictions that the authorities of other countries place on travelers from India. The Indian passport is currently ranked as the 84th most powerful in terms of travel freedom, according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visa requirements may vary for citizens from India depending on the territory they are planning to visit, the purpose of the visit and the expected period of stay inside their borders.
There are approximately 40 countries around the world that Indians can visit without obtaining a visa or with a visa on arrival at the border checkpoints.
The majority of visa-exempt countries for nationals of India allow travelers to gain entry to their borders for purposes such as tourism, business, or to transit to another country.
The period of permitted stay depends on the visa policy of the destination and may vary between 1 and 6 months. Indian citizens may also travel to Nepal and Bhutan visa-free for an unlimited period of stay.
For some other visa-free countries for Indian passport holders, it may be necessary to pre-register for an electronic travel authorization to receive permission to enter their borders.
Travelers who are planning to visit these territories for longer period of stays, as well as to visit visa-required countries, need to obtain travel authorization. This may vary between an electronic visa, a visa on arrival, or an embassy visa.
