Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Nine Countries Change Visa Rules for Indian Travelers
Nine countries have changed how Indian travelers get permission to enter.
Laos, Qatar, and Iran no longer provide the same on-arrival clearance for Indian visitors.
Travelers to these countries must get an e-visa before leaving India.
Nicaragua and Cape Verde also require travel authorization before boarding.
Chile, Ghana, and Venezuela have made online visa applications available through e-visa portals.
Sri Lanka now uses an Electronic Travel Authorization system.
These documents may take time to process.
Travelers should check official government websites before booking flights.
Without the required approval, they could be refused boarding or entry.
Laos now requires Indian travelers to obtain an approved e-visa before departure instead of using visa-on-arrival clearance.
Qatar and Iran have also withdrawn on-arrival clearance for Indian visitors and require advance e-visas.
Nicaragua and Cape Verde now require Indian travelers to arrange authorization before boarding.
Chile, Ghana, and Venezuela have introduced or expanded accessible e-visa portals for Indian passport holders.
Sri Lanka has replaced its previous arrival process with an Electronic Travel Authorization, or ETA, system.
- Who
- Indian passport holders and the immigration authorities of nine countries.
- What
- Nine countries have changed visa, e-visa, or Electronic Travel Authorization requirements for Indian travelers.
- When
- The article does not specify when each policy change took effect.
- Where
- Laos, Qatar, Iran, Nicaragua, Cape Verde, Chile, Ghana, Venezuela, and Sri Lanka.
- Why
- The changes affect how travelers must obtain authorization before departure, with several countries ending or limiting on-arrival clearance and others introducing online systems.
- Countries changing rules
- Laos, Qatar, Iran, Nicaragua, Cape Verde, Chile, Ghana, Venezuela, and Sri Lanka
- On-arrival clearance withdrawn
- Laos, Qatar, and Iran now require advance e-visas for Indian visitors
- Pre-travel authorization
- Nicaragua requires online applications or documentation by email before boarding
- Cape Verde policy
- Cape Verde revoked on-arrival visa privileges for citizens of 96 countries, including India
- E-visa portals
- Chile, Ghana, and Venezuela now offer remote e-visa application systems
- Sri Lanka system
- Sri Lanka replaced its previous arrival framework with an Electronic Travel Authorization mechanism
- Traveler advice
- Travelers should verify official visa timelines, passport validity requirements, and entry conditions before booking non-refundable flights