Lok Sabha Question No. 481 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-20
Subject: Henley Passport Index
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kirit Premjibhai Solanki

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.481

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.11.2019

## HENLEY PASSPORT INDEX

## 481 . DR. (PROF.) KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   the   Government   is   aware   about   India's   low   ranking   among   BRICS countries as per the annual Henley Passport Index and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the reasons why Indian passport holders do not enjoy visa free access which is 'visa on arrival' a visitor's permit, or an electronic travel authority in comparison with the passport holders of other BRICS nations;
- (c) the   steps   taken   by   the   Government   to   improve   visa   free   access   to   Indian passport holders; and
- (d) the list of countries in which Indians can travel with ease due to availability of visa free access?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V . MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) As per information available on the website www.henleypassportindex.com, the Henley Passport Index ranks all the passports of the world according to the number of countries their holders can travel without a prior visa.   The ranking is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association and lists the countries that can be accessed visa-free, with an electronic visa (e-TA), or with a visa on arrival.

According to the Henley Passport Index 2019 available on this website, India is ranked at 82.

(b) & (c)  Extension of Visa on Arrival and Visa free Entry is a unilateral decision of the receiving country.  The Government has been continuously liberalizing the visa policy with the objective of promoting investments and tourism into India from other countries. The e-Visa scheme has been further liberalized to allow business visits and medical treatment in India. The number of entries and validity of e-Visas has been increased and the scheme has been expanded to include 169 countries and territories till date. These initiatives are expected to encourage other countries to reciprocate and facilitate travel of Indian passport holders to their countries. As more countries permit Indian passport holders to visit Visa Free or grant them Visa on Arrival facility, the rank of the Indian passport on the Henley Passport Index is expected to improve.

(d) 16 countries provide visa free entry facility to Indian passport holders as at Annexure-I.  List of 38 countries that offer visa on arrival is at Annexure-II and list   of   35   countries   that   offer   e-Visa   facility   to   Indian   passport   holders   is   at Annexure-III.

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## ANNEXURE-I FOREIGN COUNTRIES WHICH PROVIDES VISA-FREE FACILITY TO INDIAN PASSPORT Holders

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Country            | Remarks                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|-----------|--------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Barbados                       | Visa-free stay from 30 to 90 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|         2 | Bhutan                         | Visa Free regime exists between Bhutan and India. Indian ordinary passport holders are granted a minimum of 7-days entry permit to visit Bhutan by road / air.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|         3 | Dominica                       | Visa-free stay up to six months for tourism and business                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|         4 | Grenada                        | Visa-free stay up to three months                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|         5 | Haiti                          | Visa-free facility available                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|         6 | Hong Kong                      | Visa-free stay up to 14 days in Hong Kong strictly subject to successfully completing Hong Kong Government mandatory Pre arrival Registration (PAR) online. However an Indian National is required to apply an appropriate visa from Hong Kong Immigration Department if he/she is unsuccessful in completing the Hong Kong Government Mandatory PAR or intends to visit Hong Kong for a purpose other than visit, such as employment, study or taking up residence.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|         7 | Maldives                       | Visa-free stay for a maximum of 90 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|         8 | Mauritius                      | There is no visa requirement for Indian ordinary passport holders visiting Mauritius for any purpose. Passport & Immigration Office (PIO), Govt. of Mauritius, stamps visa of different types on arrival to segregate Indian visitors under various categories and maintain record. Tourist visa on arrival: A 60 days extendable visit visa is initially granted at immigration counter on arrival. Visit visa may be granted for a maximum period of 6 months in a calendar year on case to case basis subject to Immigration requirements. Business visa for a maximum of 120 days in a calendar year provided the maximum stay does not exceed 90 days during each trip. Medical visa for a maximum period of 6 months, extendable to complete the treatment provided request is made to PIO prior to expiry of the current visa. |
|         9 | Montserrat                     | Visa-free stay for tourism and business purposes for a period of three months                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|        10 | Nepal                          | Visa-free stay for Indian Nationals                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|        11 | Niue Island                    | Visa-free stay up to 30 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|        12 | Saint Vincent & the Grenadines | Visa-free stay up to 30 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|        13 | Samoa                          | Visa-free stay up to 90 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|        14 | Senegal                        | Visa-free stay up to 90 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|        15 | Serbia                         | Visa-free stay up to 30 days within a period of one year                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|        16 | Trinidad & Tobago              | Visa-free stay up to three months for tourism and business purposes                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |

## ANNEXURE-II

## FOREIGN COUNTRIES WHICH PROVIDES VISA-ON-ARRIVAL FACILITIES TO INDIAN PASSPORT HOLDERS

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Country     | Remarks                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-----------|-------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Angola                  | Visa-on-arrival is granted for one month with prior submission of papers                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|         2 | Armenia                 | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 21 days or 120 days, single entry                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|         3 | Bolivia                 | Visa-on-arrival is granted for a maximum 60 days period                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|         4 | Cabo Verde              | Visa-on-arrival facility available                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|         5 | Cambodia                | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 30 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|         6 | Cameroon Union Republic | Cameroon allows pre-approved visa-on-arrival                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|         7 | Cook Islands            | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 1 month                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|         8 | Ethiopia                | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 1 month                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|         9 | Fiji                    | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 4 months                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|        10 | Guinea Bissau           | Visa-on-arrival is granted                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|        11 | Indonesia               | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 30 days on gratis-basis and for 60 days on a fee of US$ 35/-                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|        12 | Iran                    | Visa-on-Arrival facility available. However Indian applicants have to apply online & obtain 'Submission Notice' before departure & Visa fee is paid at Iranian airport.                                                                                                                                     |
|        13 | Jamaica                 | Visa-on-arrival facility is granted for 90 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|        14 | Jordan                  | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 30 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|        15 | Kenya                   | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 3 months which can further be extended by another 3 months                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|        16 | Kiribati                | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 2 months                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|        17 | Laos                    | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 30 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|        18 | Madagascar              | Visa-on-arrival is granted for a period of 3 months (maximum) for tourism. If visa is granted for one-month on arrival it can be extended for another 2 months and if visa is granted for 2 months on arrival it can be extended for another one month by the Ministry of Interior, Republic of Madagascar. |
|        19 | Mauritania              | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 90 days only at Nouakchott International Airport.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |

|   20. | Myanmar                      | Visa-on-arrival is granted. Tourist Visa for 30 days at a fee of USD 50, Business Visa for 70 days at a fee of USD 50, Workshop/Seminar/Meeting/Research Visa for 28 days at a fee of USD 40, Transit Visa for 24 hours at a fee of USD 20, Crew Visa for 28 days at a fee of USD 40                                                                                                                                    |
|-------|------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    21 | Nigeria                      | Nigeria allows pre-approved visa-on-arrival                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|    22 | Qatar                        | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 30 for tourism subject to certain conditions, which are as follows: i) the traveler must have passport validity of six months, ii) a return ticket, iii) hotel reservation confirmation, and iv) a valid debit/credit card in his/her name.                                                                                                                                              |
|    23 | Republic of Marshall Islands | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 90 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|    24 | Reunion Island               | Visa-on-arrival facility is granted for a maximum duration of 14 days for the purpose of tourism. The hotel bookings have to be made through travel agents notified by the French authorities. The travel agents issue a voucher which has to be produced to the immigration authorities on arrival at Reunion Island.                                                                                                  |
|    25 | Rwanda                       | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 1 month                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|    26 | Saint Lucia                  | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 6 weeks                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|    27 | Seychelles                   | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 90 days with single entry.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|    28 | Somalia                      | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 1 month                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|    29 | Sri Lanka                    | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 30 days which can be extended up to 180 days in case of Tourist Visa.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|    30 | Suriname                     | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 90 days on Tourist card                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|    31 | Tajikistan                   | Visa-on-arrival facility available. Visa to be applied online and approved well in advance prior to the actual date of travel, with support letter either from the EOI, Dushanbe or the organization/agency sponsoring the Indian traveller. Usually such visa is given for a period of 30 Days with Single Entry. Multiple-entry visa of 90 Days validity is also given, only after recommendation from EOI, Dushanbe. |
|    32 | Tanzania                     | Visa-on-arrival is granted for maximum 3 months/single entry                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|    33 | Thailand                     | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 15 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|    34 | Tunisia                      | Visa-on-arrival is granted for a maximum of 3 months single entry                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|    35 | Tuvalu                       | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 1 month                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|    36 | Vanuatu                      | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 1 month                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |

|   37. | Vietnam   | Visa-on-arrival is granted for a maximum period of 3 months. To avail VOA facility, one has to submit an online visa application; pay online processing fee; receive an approval letter from Immigration Authorities in Vietnam and present the approval letter to Immigration Authorities on arrival in Vietnam.   |
|-------|-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    38 | Zimbabwe  | Visa-on-arrival is granted for 30 days/single entry at International entry points in Zimbabwe                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |

## ANNEXURE -III FOREIGN COUNTRIES WHICH PROVIDES E-VISA FACILITIES TO INDIAN ORDINARY PASSPORT HOLDERS

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Country            | E-Visa facility for Indian ordinary passport holders and time period/duration for the same                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-----------|--------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Armenia                        | Yes. Duration of visas are 21 days or 120 days, single entry                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|         2 | Azerbaijan                     | Indian ordinary passport holders are eligible to stay for 30 days only on e- Visa.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|         3 | Bahrain                        | 14 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|         4 | Barbados                       | 30 to 90 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|         5 | Benin                          | E-visa is allowed for Indian national travelling to Benin                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|         6 | Cambodia                       | e-visa facility is available for Indian ordinary passport holders for 30 days.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|         7 | Colombia                       | Unlike India, Colombia has only one visa system i.e. online visa. Indians can apply for the visas completely online.                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|         8 | Cote D' IVoire                 | E-Visa facility available                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|         9 | Djibouti                       | Djibouti eVisa could be applied on: https://www.evisa.gouv.dj/#/. A transit visa (from 1 to 14 days) costs $12 and a short stay visa (from 15 to 90 days) will cost US$23. Maximum validity is 90 days.                                                                                                          |
|        10 | Ethiopia                       | One month                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|        11 | Georgia                        | Yes. Duration of stay 30days within a period of 120 days.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|        12 | Kazakhstan                     | Single Entry Visa(Business,Tourist and Medical treatment) upto three months each stay restricted to 30 days only                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|        13 | Kenya                          | For a period of 3 months which can further be extended for another 3 months (by Immigration hqrs).                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|        14 | Kyrgyzstan Republic            | Has introduced e-visa facility to Indian nationals holding ordinary passports from 01.09.2017                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|        15 | Lesotho                        | Tourist single entry - 44 days, Tourist Multiple entry - 180 days, Business single entry - 44 days, Business multiple entry - 180 days, Student Visa- 90 days, Tourist- Sani Pass and Botha Bothe- 90 days                                                                                                       |
|        16 | Malaysia                       | Maximum stay allowed is 30 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|        17 | Moldova                        | Moldova provides e-Visa facility . Stay upto 90 days in a period of 180 days is allowed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|        18 | Myanmar                        | Tourist visa (online) 28 days for USD 50, Tourist Visa Express (online) 28 days for USD 56, Business visa (online) 70 days for USD 70                                                                                                                                                                            |
|        19 | New Zealand                    | New Zealand issues e-visas to Indian nationals. The maximum duration depends on the categories of visa. Tourist Visa is available with up to one year validity . Up to 3 year validity is available under the 'Grand Parent' category.                                                                           |
|        20 | Papua New Guinea               | 30 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|        21 | Russian Federation             | e-Visa to Indian nationals visiting Russia is applicable to visit to specific areas of Far Eastern Federation district and Kaliningrad Region of Russian Federation. The e-Visa is issued for up to eight days only on free of cost and persons visiting these areas have freedom to move only within this area. |
|        22 | Saint Lucia                    | 6 Weeks                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|        23 | Saint Vincent & the Grenadines | 1 Month                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |

|   24. | South Korea   | Five years. Professor (E-1), Researcher (E-3), Technician (E-4), Professional (E-5), Business visitor (C-3-4), Short term employee (C-4), Medical Tourist (C-3-3), Short term General (C-3-1), Dependent family (F- 3)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|-------|---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    25 | Singapore     | 3 months; stay only for 30 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|    26 | Sri Lanka     | Yes. A 30 day E-Visa is granted which can be extended upto 180 days in case of Tourist Visa.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|    27 | Suriname      | 90 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|    28 | Taiwan        | E-visa facility is available to the following Indian passport holders: (i). Those who have been invited to attend international conferences, sporting events, trade fairs or other activities in Taiwan - organized, co- organised or sponsored by central government agencies. (ii). Tourist groups from India who are visiting Taiwan for the purpose of conducting business at the recommendation of local offices of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council. Tourist groups from India under 'Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southest Asian Countries'. |
|    29 | Tajikistan    | Validity of Visa is for 90 days from the date of issue, with maximum 45 Days stay with single entry.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|    30 | Tanzania      | e-Visa is allowed with maximum 3 months/single entry                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|    31 | Thailand      | Ordinary passport holders are extended e-visa facility which permits stay for 15 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|    32 | Uganda        | 3 Months                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|    33 | Uzbekistan    | Single entry for a period of 30 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|    34 | Vietnam       | Yes, Indian ordinary passport holders are eligible for e-Visa facility for a maximum period of 30 days.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|    35 | Zambia        | 3 Months                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |

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