Visas, permits and taxes
A little preparation. A smoother trip.
Destination photo: Mark Baldovino · Pexels
Visa, passport and tax guidance for Indian travellers, with official sources. Checked 20 September 2026; confirm the latest rules before booking.
Last updated 20 September 2026
Visas for Indian passport holders
| Place | Entry rule for Indian passport holders | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal | No visa is needed. Carry a valid Indian passport or another identity document that Nepal’s Department of Immigration accepts; Aadhaar alone is not accepted. | Department of Immigration, Nepal |
| Bhutan | No visa is needed; Indian nationals enter on an entry permit issued by Bhutan’s Department of Immigration. | Department of Immigration, Bhutan |
| Sri Lanka | Travel on an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) applied for on the official portal. | Sri Lanka ETA portal |
| Thailand | Visa-free entry for up to 60 days. Every traveller files the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 72 hours before arrival. | Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi |
| Dubai | A UAE visa is needed before travel unless you hold a valid visa or residence permit from the US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea or Singapore, which qualifies for a 14-day visa on arrival. | GDRFA Dubai |
| Vietnam | Apply for an e-visa (single or multiple entry, up to 90 days) on Vietnam’s official portal before you fly. | Vietnam national e-visa portal |
| Singapore | A visa is required before travel. A 96-hour visa-free transit facility exists for eligible air travellers in transit. | ICA Singapore |
| Malaysia | Visa-exempt for tourist visits of up to 30 days under a policy in effect until 31 December 2026. | Immigration Department of Malaysia |
| Bali | Apply online for Indonesia’s electronic Visa on Arrival (eVOA): 30 days, extendable once by 30 days. Passport valid six months from arrival. | Indonesian e-Visa portal |
| Hong Kong | Visa-free for up to 14 days, after a free online Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR) completed before travel. | Hong Kong Immigration Department |
| Mauritius | Visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days. Carry return tickets, proof of stay and funds; passport valid six months. | Mauritius Passport and Immigration Office |
| Japan | A short-term tourist visa is required; the JAPAN eVISA route is open to applicants in India through VFS Global. | Embassy of Japan in India |
| Georgia | A visa is required; short-term visas are applied for on Georgia’s official e-Visa portal. | Georgia e-Visa portal |
| Azerbaijan | A visa is required; the standard route is the ASAN e-Visa (single entry, 30-day stay) on the official portal. | ASAN e-Visa, Azerbaijan |
| Australia | A visa must be granted before travel: the Visitor visa (subclass 600), applied for online through ImmiAccount. | Australian Department of Home Affairs |
Checked 20 September 2026. This page is a pointer to the official sources, not legal advice.
Tax, passports and permits
Is GST included in the prices on this site?
No. GST is extra on every price shown; the company’s booking engine prints “GST Extra Applicable” under each package. Tour operator services in India are taxed under Notification No. 11/2017-Central Tax (Rate); ask the office which rate applies to your booking.
What is TCS on an overseas tour package?
TCS is tax collected at source: under section 206C(1G) of the Income-tax Act, a seller of an overseas tour package collects it from the buyer on top of the package price, and the buyer can claim it as credit against income tax. The rate is set by each year’s Finance Act, so ask for the current rate with your quote.
How long must my passport be valid?
Most countries on this list ask for a passport valid for at least six months from the day you arrive; Indonesia, Mauritius and Japan say so on the official pages linked above. Airlines check this at the counter in India, so renew early.
Do travel agents in India need a government licence?
No central registration is mandatory. The Ministry of Tourism told the Lok Sabha in December 2024 that its recognition scheme for travel agents and tour operators is voluntary. What you can always check is whether the company itself is registered: its CIN on the MCA portal and its GSTIN on the GST portal.
Do Indians need permits for the North East?
Some states require an Inner Line Permit for Indian citizens; it is issued by the state government concerned. Foreign nationals need Protected or Restricted Area Permits for certain regions. Ask the office which permits your route needs before you book.