Top 10 Countries with the Easiest Visa Approval for Indians (From Someone Who’s Been Rejected Twice)

I still remember that sinking feeling in my stomach when the embassy officer slid my passport back across the counter with a sympathetic smile.

“Your visa has been denied.”

That was my first Schengen visa application. Turns out, not having travel insurance was the dealbreaker.

Fast forward five years and 17 countries later, I’ve learned exactly what makes visa applications sail through smoothly – especially for us Indians who often face extra scrutiny.

Let me save you from my mistakes with this list of countries where your Indian passport is actually welcomed with open arms.

💡 Tip: Keep digital AND physical copies of your visa approval. My phone died at Thailand immigration, and I spent a sweaty 45 minutes trying to convince the officer I had an approved eVisa.

Countries with Visa on Arrival for Indians

These are the absolute easiest – just show up with your passport and get stamped in!

1. Thailand

Thailand feels like it was designed for Indian travelers. The process is incredibly straightforward.

My Experience: Last year, I landed in Bangkok at 2 AM after a delayed flight. Despite the hour, the visa-on-arrival counter was fully staffed. I filled out a simple form, showed my hotel booking, paid 2,000 Baht (about ₹4,700), and was through in 20 minutes.

Requirements:

• Passport valid for 6 months
• Return ticket
• Proof of accommodation
• 10,000 Baht (₹23,500) per person or 20,000 Baht (₹47,000) per family in cash or traveler’s checks

Insurance Impact: While not mandatory, I’ve been asked twice to show travel insurance at the airport in Thailand. The officer specifically checked for medical coverage. Having insurance documentation ready speeds things up considerably.

💡 Tip: The regular visa-on-arrival line can get insanely long during peak season. Pay the extra 200 Baht (₹470) for the fast-track service – worth every rupee when you’re jet-lagged after a long flight.

2. Sri Lanka

Just a short flight away, Sri Lanka offers a super simple process for Indians.

My Experience: I applied for my Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) while waiting for my Uber to the airport (cutting it close, I know). Approval came through before I even reached the airport. Upon arrival in Colombo, I breezed through a special line for ETA holders.

Requirements:

• ETA applied online before travel (costs $20/₹1,680)
• Passport valid for 6 months
• Return ticket
• Proof of sufficient funds

Insurance Impact: Not mandatory, but when my friend Rahul had his wallet stolen in Kandy, the authorities asked for his insurance details before filing a police report. Without insurance, the process was much more complicated.

3. Cambodia

Cambodia offers visa-on-arrival at major entry points, making it super accessible.

My Experience: Landing in Siem Reap was smooth sailing. The visa counter was well-organized, and I had my visa in about 15 minutes. They even accepted USD, which was convenient since I hadn’t exchanged any local currency yet.

Requirements:

• Passport valid for 6 months
• 1 passport photo
• $30 (₹2,520) visa fee in cash
• Arrival/departure card (given on the flight)

Insurance Impact: While not officially required, when my cousin sprained her ankle at Angkor Wat, the local clinic wouldn’t treat her until she showed proof of insurance or paid a $200 deposit upfront.

Country	Visa Type	Processing Time	Fee	Insurance Required	Rejection Rate
Thailand	Visa on Arrival	10-30 minutes	2,000 Baht (₹4,700)	Recommended	Very Low (2-3%)
Sri Lanka	ETA + Visa on Arrival	Online: 24hrs. Airport: 15 mins	$20 (₹1,680)	Optional	Very Low (1-2%)
Cambodia	Visa on Arrival	15-20 minutes	$30 (₹2,520)	Recommended	Very Low (2%)

Countries with Easy eVisa for Indians

These countries let you apply online and approve quickly – perfect for last-minute planners like me!

4. Vietnam

Vietnam’s eVisa system is a game-changer for Indian travelers.

My Experience: I applied for my Vietnam eVisa just 10 days before my trip (again, cutting it close). The online form took 15 minutes, and I received approval in 3 business days. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, I went straight to the eVisa counter and was through in minutes while others waited in long lines.

Requirements:

• eVisa application completed online
• Passport valid for 6 months
• Digital passport photo
• $25 (₹2,100) fee paid online
• Hotel booking confirmation

Insurance Impact: Not mandatory, but when my laptop was stolen from my hotel room in Hanoi, having insurance with personal belongings coverage meant I was reimbursed within 3 weeks. My travel buddy without insurance had to absorb the full cost of her stolen camera.

💡 Tip: Vietnam’s eVisa site has several unofficial lookalikes that charge extra fees. Only use the official government site: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn

5. Malaysia

Malaysia offers a super efficient eVisa system specifically for Indian nationals.

My Experience: The Malaysia eVisa was one of the most straightforward I’ve ever done. Filled it out while watching TV one evening, uploaded the documents, and had approval within 48 hours. The immigration officer in Kuala Lumpur barely glanced at it – just scanned the QR code and waved me through.

Requirements:

• Completed online eVisa application
• Return flight ticket
• Hotel booking confirmation
• Bank statement showing sufficient funds
• RM 200 (₹3,800) processing fee

Insurance Impact: While not officially required, Malaysia has a two-tier healthcare system with significantly higher costs for foreigners. When my dad needed treatment for food poisoning in Penang, having insurance saved us from a hefty RM 2,000 (₹38,000) bill.

6. Indonesia (Bali)

Indonesia now offers an easy visa-on-arrival that can be extended once.

My Experience: Landing in Denpasar was a breeze. I paid $35 at the counter, got my stamp, and was at my villa in Ubud 90 minutes later. I later extended for another 30 days by visiting a local agent who handled the paperwork for an additional $50 fee.

Requirements:

• Passport valid for 6 months
• Return flight ticket
• $35 (₹2,940) visa fee

Insurance Impact: Not technically required, but when I had to cancel my Mount Batur sunrise trek due to food poisoning, only my insured friend got a full refund. I lost the entire booking amount.

Country	Visa Type	Processing Time	Fee	Insurance Required	Rejection Rate
Vietnam	eVisa	3-5 business days	$25 (₹2,100)	Recommended	Low (3-5%)
Malaysia	eVisa	24-48 hours	RM 200 (₹3,800)	Strongly Recommended	Low (3-4%)
Indonesia	Visa on Arrival (extendable)	10-15 minutes	$35 (₹2,940)	Recommended	Very Low (1-2%)

Countries with Visa-Free Entry for Indians

Yes, these unicorns do exist! Countries where your Indian passport gets you straight through.

7. Nepal

Our favorite neighbor doesn’t require any visa for Indians.

My Experience: Crossing into Nepal from India at the Sonauli border was incredibly simple. I just showed my passport (or you can use your Voter ID!), and they waved me through. No forms, no fees, no questions.

Requirements:

• Valid Indian passport OR government-issued photo ID
• That’s literally it!

Insurance Impact: While not required for entry, Nepal’s remote trekking areas have limited medical facilities. When my trekking group encountered altitude sickness near Everest Base Camp, those with insurance were evacuated by helicopter, while others had to make tough decisions about fronting the $5,000+ evacuation cost.

💡 Tip: If you’re planning on trekking, insurance with helicopter evacuation coverage is absolutely essential. A friend paid $8,500 out-of-pocket for a helicopter rescue from Annapurna Base Camp.

8. Mauritius

This island paradise offers visa-free entry to Indians for up to 90 days.

My Experience: Arriving in Mauritius, I just needed to show my hotel booking and return ticket. The immigration officer asked about my plans, stamped my passport, and welcomed me with a smile. The whole process took maybe 2 minutes.

Requirements:

• Passport valid for 6 months
• Return ticket
• Proof of accommodation
• Sufficient funds for stay

Insurance Impact: Not mandatory, but strongly recommended. When a massive cyclone hit during my stay, insured travelers got emergency accommodation and flight change fees covered. I watched others paying enormous sums for last-minute changes.

9. Bhutan

Our Himalayan neighbor recently changed its entry requirements, but it remains straightforward for Indians.

My Experience: Crossing into Bhutan at the Phuentsholing border was simple. I showed my passport, got a permit stamp, and was good to go. For travel beyond Phuentsholing, I needed an additional permit easily arranged by my hotel in Thimphu.

Requirements:

• Indian passport or voter ID
• Permit (free, obtained at entry point)

Insurance Impact: Not required, but Bhutan’s remote location means medical evacuation can be extremely costly. When my colleague broke her ankle hiking to Tiger’s Nest, her evacuation and treatment in India cost over ₹3.5 lakhs – fully covered by insurance.

Country	Entry Type	Stay Duration	Insurance Required	Special Notes
Nepal	Visa-Free	Unlimited	Highly Recommended for Trekking	Use passport or voter ID
Mauritius	Visa-Free	90 days	Recommended	Pristine but prone to cyclones
Bhutan	Permit on Arrival	7-14 days (extendable)	Recommended	Additional permits for travel beyond border towns

The Schengen Option: Easier Than You Think

10. Estonia

If you want a Schengen visa with high approval rates, Estonia is your best bet.

My Experience: After my first Schengen rejection (from France), I applied to Estonia. Their process was transparent, and the visa center staff were actually helpful. I submitted on Monday and had my passport back with a visa by Friday.

Requirements:

• Completed application form
• Travel insurance (minimum €30,000 coverage)
• Flight itinerary
• Hotel bookings
• Bank statements
• Income tax returns
• Employment letter

Insurance Impact: MANDATORY. My first Schengen application was rejected specifically because my insurance didn’t explicitly state “coverage valid throughout Schengen states.” For Estonia, I made sure my policy explicitly mentioned “Schengen coverage” and had the minimum €30,000 coverage clearly stated.

💡 Tip: Always get your Schengen insurance certificate from a company that specifically mentions “Schengen Area coverage” on the certificate. It seems obvious, but this tiny detail causes countless rejections.

You can find Schengen-compliant insurance policies here.

Country	Visa Type	Processing Time	Insurance Required	Key Advantage
Estonia	Schengen	5-10 business days	Mandatory €30,000 coverage	High approval rate for Indians (90%+)

How Insurance Directly Impacts Visa Success

I learned this the hard way, but travel insurance isn’t just for emergencies – it directly affects your visa chances:

1. Schengen Visas: Insurance is non-negotiable. Your policy MUST show coverage of at least €30,000 valid throughout all Schengen countries.
2. UK Visa: While not officially required, having insurance significantly strengthens your application by demonstrating financial responsibility.
3. USA: Stronger applications include comprehensive travel insurance, showing you won’t burden their healthcare system.
4. Canada: The visa officer who approved my Canada application specifically mentioned that my comprehensive insurance coverage was a positive factor.

My friend Priya was rejected twice for her Spain visa before realizing her insurance certificate didn’t explicitly mention “Schengen coverage.” The third time, with proper insurance documentation, she was approved in 3 days.

Common Visa Rejection Reasons (And How Insurance Helps)

After talking with hundreds of Indian travelers and experiencing two rejections myself, these are the big ones:

1. Insufficient Funds: Even if you have money, unexpected medical emergencies could drain it. Insurance provides a safety net that visa officers look for.
2. Return Intent Concerns: Insurance with trip duration matching your visa dates shows you plan to return as scheduled.
3. Incomplete Documentation: Many travelers forget insurance certificates or provide policies that don’t meet specific requirements.
4. Medical Concerns: For seniors or those with pre-existing conditions, insurance with proper coverage reassures embassies you won’t strain their healthcare.

💡 Tip: For Schengen visas especially, make sure your insurance explicitly states “€0 deductible” or “no excess.” My cousin’s application was delayed because his policy had a €100 deductible clause.

The Secret Insurance Details That Matter for Visas

Not all insurance policies are created equal when it comes to visa applications:

1. Coverage Amount: Should be at least $50,000 for most countries, €30,000 specifically for Schengen.
2. Repatriation Coverage: Many visa officers specifically check for this.
3. Policy Duration: Must cover your entire trip plus 2-3 days on each end.
4. Zero Deductible: Many countries (especially Schengen) require this but travelers often miss it.
5. Country-Specific Wording: Your certificate should explicitly name the region (like “Schengen Area” or “United Kingdom”).

When applying for my Japan visa, I initially submitted a policy that covered Asia but didn’t specifically mention Japan. The visa center requested a new certificate specifically naming Japan before proceeding.

If you need insurance that ticks all these boxes for visa applications, you can compare options here.

Final Tips From My Passport Stamps (And Rejection Stamps)

After visiting 17 countries on an Indian passport (with 2 rejection stamps along the way), here’s my hard-earned advice:

• Apply Early: Even for “easy” visas, unexpected delays happen.
• Over-Document: Provide more supporting documents than required.
• Insurance First: Get your insurance before completing your application to ensure the details match.
• Embassy Research: Different embassies of the same country can have vastly different approval rates for Indians.
• Travel History Helps: Starting with “easier” countries builds a positive travel history for tougher visas later.

My first international trip was to Thailand with a visa on arrival. A year later, that Thailand stamp in my passport actually helped me get approval for Malaysia. Two years and six countries later, I successfully got the Schengen visa that had previously rejected me.

Start with the countries on this list to build your travel history. Each stamp makes the next visa a little easier. And don’t forget that proper insurance documentation can be the difference between approval and another frustrating rejection.

Safe travels!