Sri Lanka's free visa scheme and other holiday destinations which don't require a visa for Indians

Travellers from India can save money and time spent on obtaining visas to visit these countries.

The Sri Lankan cabinet has given its nod to offer free visas to travellers from seven countries, including India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand on October 24.

This initiative, according to Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry, has started immediately as a pilot project and will be in effect until March 31.

Here's a list of countries that offer visa-less travel to Indian tourists.

Sri Lanka

The island country which lies in the Indian Ocean, separated from the Indian peninsula by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, is every beach lover's dream destination. Not only does the country have a free-visa scheme for Indian travelers, but the Sri Lankan Cabinet has also proposed to introduce an e-ticketing system for most of the tourist sites in the country in the near future.

Barbados

Barbados is famous for its stunning beaches. Among its many scenic shores, Rockley Beach is considered to be Barbados' most stunning beach. The island country has a visa on arrival provision which can be obtained by prior confirmation.

Dominica

Dominica, a mountainous Caribbean island nation, enjoys warm, tropical weather. All you have to do is book your flights to Dominica from India to visit this stunning nation. The country offers a six-month exemption from the visa requirement to Indian nationals visiting for business or pleasure.

Haiti

The Dominican Republic shares borders with this Caribbean nation. Indian passport holders enjoy a 90-day visa exemption in Haiti.

Mauritius

Mauritius is famous for its white sand beaches, stunning lagoons and coral reefs. Indian passport holders can stay in Mauritius for 90 days without a visa.

Nepal

Known for its rich heritage and grand temples Nepal is a must-visit for Indian travel enthusiasts. Indian citizens do not require a visa to enter Nepal.

Maldives

The Maldives is a South Asian country, famous for its pleasant tropical weather. Indian passport holders do not require any form of visa if their stay does not exceed 90 days for the purpose of tourism.

Bhutan

India's cultural and geographical neighbour allows the entry of Indian tourists without a visa however a valid passport or other form of identification is required. If your visit to Bhutan is for seven days or less, you do not need a visa.

Seychelles

An archipelago of 115 islands off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles is an ideal location for eco-friendly travel. This archipelago is a visa-free country, but a permit must be obtained on arrival from the Seychelles Immigration Department. The permit is valid for 30 days.

Cook Islands

The Cook Islands are blessed with pleasant weather and an abundance of stunning beaches. No visa is required for stays of up to 30 days. However Indian tourists must possess a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of departure and has an empty page for visas.