Indian passport holders planning an overseas holiday in 2026 are facing a changed visa landscape in several destinations, with five countries revising their entry rules this year. The updates span visa-free access, visa-on-arrival facilities and mandatory online applications, and in most cases they increase the amount of paperwork travellers must complete before leaving India. Together, the new rules mean that itineraries which were once possible with minimal formalities now demand more lead time and closer attention to immigration requirements.
Thailand, one of the most visited countries by Indian tourists, continues to allow visa-free entry but has tightened how long visitors can stay under its exemption scheme. Instead of the earlier, longer allowance, Indian travellers will now be permitted a shorter visa-free stay, and any plans that involve extended holidays will require a rethink. The Thai cabinet backed the change to better match actual travel patterns from India after uncertainty over the policy coincided with a drop in arrivals, signalling that while the door remains open, the welcome is calibrated more carefully.
The Cape Verde Islands have taken a more restrictive turn by withdrawing their visa-on-arrival facility for citizens of 96 countries, a list that includes India. Indian passport holders who previously completed immigration formalities after landing must now secure a visa before they travel, ending the option of handling paperwork at the airport. Because applications must be lodged and approved in advance, would-be visitors are advised to build extra time into their planning so they are not left stranded without the required documentation.
Bolivia has also moved away from a relatively flexible regime, ending its visa-on-arrival option for Indian citizens and replacing it with a mandatory online e-visa system. Travellers must submit their details through the designated platform and receive official approval before boarding their flight, as arriving without a valid e-visa is no longer acceptable. Airlines may refuse boarding to passengers who cannot produce the approved document, making the new rules not just a legal formality but an operational checkpoint that can upend plans at the airport.
Iran, which previously allowed ordinary Indian passport holders to enter without a visa, has suspended that privilege after updating its security-related entry criteria. Indians who were once able to fly in without prior clearance must now obtain a visa before departure, aligning short visits and longer trips under the same requirement. The shift means that spontaneous travel is more difficult, and the onus is now firmly on visitors to ensure their paperwork is in order before they arrive, as turning up without prior approval is no longer permitted.
Nicaragua has followed a similar path by removing visa-on-arrival access for ordinary Indian passport holders and insisting on advance approval from its immigration authorities. The change requires Indian travellers to secure the necessary clearances before they book or board flights, rather than relying on procedures at the point of entry. Holidaymakers and business visitors alike must now treat visa arrangements as a precondition for travel, because missing or incomplete authorisations can disrupt trips even before they begin.