Top 10 Countries Where Indians Are Travelling And Their Best Visa Options

The Ministry of Tourism has recently released new travel statistics, and the numbers speak for themselves. Indians are travelling more than ever. In 2024, over 30.8 million Indians set off for international trips, marking a record high that is changing the global travel landscape.

So, where are Indians travelling the most? What’s the best visa option if you want to join this trend? Let’s look at it country by country.

Top 10 Countries Where Indians Are Travelling

In 2024, over 30 million Indians travelled abroad, setting a new record. Here’s a look at the top 10 countries they visited, based on departures recorded by the Bureau of Immigration.

1. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

In 2024, 7.78 million Indians travelled to the UAE, making it the top destination. Most used tourist visas, while frequent travellers often choose multi-entry long-term permits.

• Tourist visa (30 or 90 days)
• Multi-entry long-term visa

2. Saudi Arabia

Around 3.42 million Indians visited Saudi Arabia in 2024, mostly for religious pilgrimages and work. With the tourist eVisa now available to Indians, travel options are growing beyond Umrah and employment visas.

• Umrah visa
• Tourist eVisa (available online for Indians)
• Employment visa

3. United States

The United States welcomed 2.14 million Indian visitors in 2024. Family visits, studies, and business trips were the main reasons for travel. Many travellers used visitor, student, and work visa categories to make their journeys possible.

• B1/B2 visitor visa
• F-1 student visa
• H-1B work visa

4. Thailand

Roughly 1.9 million Indians travelled to Thailand in 2024. The direct flights and visa-on-arrival system made it a favourite destination. However, many applied for tourist visas ahead of time for longer stays.

• Visa on Arrival (15 days)
• Tourist visa (up to 60 days)

5. Singapore

In 2024, as many as 1.53 million Indians visited Singapore because of its blend of leisure and business. Most used the short-term visit pass, which was often given as a multiple-entry visa.

• Singapore tourist visa (short-term visit pass)
• Multiple-entry visa (valid up to 2 years)

6. United Kingdom

The United Kingdom had 1.32 million Indian visitors in 2024. This sharp increase was due to education, family visits, and work. Standard Visitor visas are still popular. Meanwhile, students and professionals sought longer-term options.

• Standard Visitor visa
• Student visa
• Skilled Worker visa

7. Qatar

About 1.14 million Indians travelled to Qatar in 2024. Many went to visit family, work, or make brief stops in Doha. They used tourist, transit, or employer-sponsored visas.

• Tourist visa (30 days)
• Transit visa (up to 96 hours)
• Employment visa

8. Kuwait

Kuwait saw 906,965 Indian visitors in 2024. Family visits and jobs were the main reasons for their travel. Most travellers use a visit visa or work permits from their employers for longer stays in Kuwait.

• Visit visa (family or tourism)
• Employment visa

9. Oman

About 864,251 Indians travelled to Oman in 2024. The Oman e-Visa system made short visits easy. Many expatriates still use employment-linked permits for longer stays.

• eVisa (10 or 30 days)
• Employment visa

10. Canada

Canada welcomed 945,652 Indians in 2024. This increase was due to education, migration, and family visits. Visitor visas facilitated short trips, while study permits and Express Entry continued to be the main options for long-term stays.

• Visitor visa
• Study permit
• Express Entry (for permanent residence)

Final Thoughts

Indian travellers are changing global routes. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the US are at the forefront, but leisure spots like Thailand and Singapore are close behind. The right visa can determine your trip’s success, so understanding your options before you book is as important as finding the best flight deal.