Visas, tax and entry rules
Rules that apply before you fly.
Each line links its official source and the day we checked it. Rules change: check again before you book.
Beautiful shot of Lungern village in Switzerland with lush green hills and railway. Misty mountains in the backdrop. Photograph: Melike B · Pexels
Money and tax
What you pay on top.
Tax collected at source
2% TCS on an overseas tour package, with no threshold
From 1 April 2026 an overseas tour package attracts tax collected at source at 2% of the full amount under section 206C(1G) of the Income Tax Act. It is a credit against your own income tax, not an extra cost. It does not apply to holidays within India.
Source: Income Tax Department · checked 21 Sep 2026
GST
5% GST on a tour operator's package
A package sold by a tour operator is taxed at 5% GST without input tax credit (Notification 11/2017-Central Tax (Rate), heading 9985). Published package prices on this site are before GST unless the holiday says otherwise.
Source: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs · checked 21 Sep 2026
Money abroad
USD 250,000 a year under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme
A resident individual may remit up to USD 250,000 in a financial year for permitted purposes, travel abroad included.
Source: Reserve Bank of India, Master Direction on LRS · checked 21 Sep 2026
Entry, for Indian passports
Where you need a visa.
Maldives
Free 30-day visa on arrival
Granted at the airport to every nationality, Indians included, with a confirmed return ticket, a prepaid stay and enough funds. The Traveller Declaration (IMUGA) is filed online within 96 hours before arrival.
Source: Maldives Immigration · checked 21 Sep 2026 · Maldives holidays
Thailand
30 days visa-free for Indian passports
Indian ordinary-passport holders visiting as tourists are exempt from a visa for 30 days under the revision in force from 15 September 2026. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is compulsory for every arrival.
Source: Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi · checked 21 Sep 2026 · Thailand holidays
Malaysia
30 days visa-free, until 31 December 2026
Indian passport holders enter visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism; the waiver currently runs to 31 December 2026. The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card is compulsory.
Source: Immigration Department of Malaysia · checked 21 Sep 2026 · Malaysia holidays
Dubai (UAE)
Visa needed before you fly, with one exception
An Indian ordinary passport does not get an automatic visa on arrival. A 14-day visa on arrival is given only to holders of a valid visa or residence permit from the US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea or Singapore. Everyone else applies in advance.
Source: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs · checked 21 Sep 2026 · Dubai holidays
Bali (Indonesia)
Visa on arrival or e-VOA, 30 days
Indian travellers buy a visa on arrival, or the electronic version before flying, for IDR 500,000. It is valid 30 days and can be extended once. We could not open the government portal on the day we checked, so confirm on the official site before you book.
Source: Indonesian Immigration e-Visa portal · checked 21 Sep 2026 · the official page would not open that day · Bali holidays
Vietnam
E-visa, up to 90 days
Indian citizens apply online for an e-visa of up to 90 days, single or multiple entry (USD 25 or USD 50). We could not open the government portal on the day we checked, so confirm on the official site before you book.
Source: Vietnam e-Visa portal · checked 21 Sep 2026 · the official page would not open that day · Vietnam holidays
Europe (Schengen area)
A Schengen visa is required
Indian citizens need a short-stay Schengen visa (India is on Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806). It allows a total of 90 days in every 180 across the whole Schengen area.
Source: European Commission, visa policy · checked 21 Sep 2026
Singapore
A visa is required
Indian passport holders need a valid visa to enter Singapore. Without a local contact, the application goes through an authorised visa agent appointed by the Singapore Overseas Mission, or the Mission itself. Every visitor also completes the SG Arrival Card, which is not a visa.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Singapore · checked 21 Sep 2026 (page updated 25 Jun 2026) · Singapore holidays
Andaman Islands
No permit for Indian citizens in the tourist islands
Indian citizens carry a government photo identity card; the Restricted Area Permit applies to foreign nationals. Tribal reserves and the Nicobar group stay closed to visitors. We could not open the administration's site on the day we checked.
Source: Andaman & Nicobar Administration · checked 21 Sep 2026 · the official page would not open that day · Andaman Islands holidays