Visa rules

From visa-free escapes and e-visas to Golden Visas and second-country access, the passport is quietly becoming the most important item in an Indian traveller’s itinerary.

There was a time when choosing an international holiday meant dreaming about the destination… its sandy beaches, vibe galore restaurants, luxe hotels and elegant hidden corners. Today, the dream often begins with a very practical question: “How difficult is the visa?” For TheGlitz traveller, the ease of getting there is increasingly becoming part of the luxury of going there.

When the Visa Becomes Part of the Holiday

Indian outbound travel has changed dramatically. Travellers are more experienced, more spontaneous and increasingly unwilling to spend weeks navigating paperwork when another beautiful destination may offer a simpler entry process.

Visa-free access, visa-on-arrival facilities and e-visas have therefore become powerful destination differentiators. Thailand is a perfect example. Its visa-exemption arrangement for Indian ordinary passport holders currently allows eligible travellers to stay for up to 30 days, according to the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi. It’s been slashed from 60 days to 30 but that still works for the Indian traveller.

The bigger point isn’t merely the number of days. It is the feeling of being able to decide, book and go.

Serbia: I Went When It Was Visa-Free

I experienced this first-hand in Serbia, when Indian travellers could enter the country visa-free for up to 30 days. It made Belgrade and the country’s beautiful mix of European history, nightlife, architecture and countryside feel wonderfully accessible. But that door has since closed.

Serbia withdrew the 30-day visa-free arrangement for Indian ordinary passport holders from 1 January 2023. Today, Indians generally require a Serbian visa.

There is, however, an interesting shortcut. Indian travellers holding a valid Schengen, UK, EU or US visa can enter Serbia without applying for a separate Serbian visa, subject to the applicable conditions, for up to 90 days in a six-month period.

It is a fascinating illustration of how one country’s visa can influence your choice of another.

Vietnam Is Making The Long Weekend Longer

Vietnam has become another strong contender for Indian travellers. Its e-visa system allows eligible foreign nationals to obtain visas for stays of up to 90 days, with single or multiple entry.

That means Hanoi, Hoi An, Halong Bay, Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam’s beaches can be approached as one expansive holiday rather than a rushed escape.

Ease is becoming part of the destination’s seduction.

UAE: From Holiday Destination To Second Home

The UAE takes this idea a step further. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and now Ajman have long been favourites for Indian travellers because of connectivity, luxury, shopping, dining and the sheer convenience of a short international break. Tourist visas can be arranged through airlines, hotels and travel agents.

But the UAE’s real game-changer is the Golden Visa.

For eligible investors, entrepreneurs, specialised professionals, exceptional students and other categories, the Golden Visa offers long-term residence in the UAE.

That changes the conversation from “Where shall we holiday?” to “Where could we build another base?”

For India’s affluent and globally mobile traveller, that distinction is significant.

Europe, UK And USA: When The Destination Is Worth The Paperwork

Schengen Europe still requires Indian passport holders to obtain a visa, but one Schengen visa can facilitate travel across multiple participating European countries, generally within the 90-days-in-180-days framework.

The UK and USA remain high-demand destinations too, although both require advance visitor visas for most Indian tourists.

Here, travellers are willing to tolerate the paperwork because the prize is substantial — whether that means London, New York, Paris or the Amalfi Coast.

Africa To South America: The Visa Map Is Changing

Across Africa, digital travel authorisations and e-visas are making destinations such as Kenya increasingly accessible.

And South America offers another intriguing development: existing visas can sometimes unlock new destinations. Argentina, for instance, has special provisions for certain Indian travellers holding qualifying US visas.

The New Luxury Is Frictionless Travel

The modern Indian traveller is no longer asking only, “Is this place beautiful?” The questions are increasingly: How quickly can I get there? How much paperwork will I need? How long can I stay? Can I combine it with another country? And can a visa I already possess open another door?

The passport has moved from the back pocket to the centre of the itinerary.

Because today, perhaps the ultimate travel luxury isn’t simply having the money to go anywhere… it’s having the freedom to say, “Let’s go,” and actually go.

THEGLITZ TAKE: Pack Your Bags, Not Your Patience!

Let’s face it: nothing kills wanderlust faster than a visa form.

You’ve found the dream hotel, bookmarked the rooftop bar, mentally chosen your airport outfit — and then comes the dreaded “Please upload supporting documents.” Suddenly, that spontaneous holiday is looking less Eat, Pray, Love and more Print, Sign, Scan, Repeat.

The new travel flex? Getting through immigration without getting emotionally audited.

For Indian travellers, visa policies are increasingly becoming part of the destination’s seduction. Why spend weeks wooing an embassy when another country is practically sliding into your DMs saying, “Come over, no visa drama”?

Thailand gets it. Vietnam gets it. The UAE gets it. And Serbia? Well, Serbia had us at visa-free… until it didn’t. Insert wistful Balkan violin here.

I travelled to Serbia when Indians enjoyed the 30-day visa-free arrangement, and there was something wonderfully liberating about simply being able to go. Today, that particular shortcut has disappeared, although holders of certain valid Schengen, UK, EU or US visas can still enter Serbia under its visa-exemption rules.

And then there’s the UAE, where the conversation has moved beyond “Can I holiday there?” to “Can I make this my second home?” The Golden Visa has turned the humble visa into something considerably more glamorous… long-term residency for eligible investors, entrepreneurs and professionals.

Now that’s what we call upgrading your visa game.

Europe, the UK and the US still make travellers work for their entry. And, frankly, we’re willing to do the paperwork for Paris, London and New York. Some destinations are simply worth the bureaucratic cardio.

But the larger trend is undeniable.

Today’s traveller is looking at the world through a slightly different lens: visa-free, visa-on-arrival, e-visa, 90 days, 30 days, multiple entry…

Suddenly, the most attractive words in travel aren’t infinity pool or butler service.

They’re “Visa Not Required.”

And TheGlitz verdict?

The hottest passport accessory of 2026 isn’t a designer cover. It’s a country stamp that says: “Welcome. No paperwork drama.”

Because in luxury travel, frictionless is the new fabulous.