RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1372
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.09.2020
EASE OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FOR INDIANS
1372. SHRI NARAIN DASS GUPTA:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the list and details of countries which have relaxed visa requirements for Indians to travel to their country since 2000;
(b) whether the Ministry has been in negotiations with any countries to further the ease of international travel for Indians by means of visa relaxations in pre-COVID scenario;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
(a) List of countries which have extended visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival facility and e-Visa facility to Indian citizens holding ordinary Passports as on date are as follows:
(i) There are 16 countries which provide Visa-free entry to Indian ordinary passport holders. (List enclosed as
Annexure-I
)
(ii) There are 43 countries which provide Visa-on-Arrival facility to Indian ordinary Passport holders. (List enclosed as
Annexure-II)
(iii) There are 36 countries which provide e-Visa facility to Indian ordinary Passport holders. (List enclosed as
Annexure-III)
(b) & (c) Government of India has been making efforts to increase the number of countries that provide Visa free travel, Visa-on-Arrival and e-visa facility so as to further easing of international travel for Indians. While issuance of visa and visa related
process is the sovereign and unilateral decision of the respective country, the matter regarding easier and liberalized visa policy for Indian nationals is taken up regularly in bilateral meetings/ forums with foreign countries.
(d) Not Applicable
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