A Hindustan Times analysis published on 4 October highlights that Indian passport holders can now apply for electronic visas (e-visas) to 51 countries and territories, according to the latest Henley Passport Index. The e-visa boom spans Asia, Africa, parts of Europe and the Caribbean, dramatically reducing paperwork and lead-times for leisure and business travellers. Popular short-haul markets such as Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Vietnam already run seamless e-visa portals, but the 2026 list includes newer entrants like Albania and Suriname. Long-haul options—Kenya, Tanzania and several Central American destinations—have also expanded their programmes, often charging lower fees than traditional sticker visas. Digital visas dovetail with India’s own Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) reforms, which seek to make inbound procedures fully paperless by 2031. For outbound Indians, the shift means travel-management companies can integrate API-based visa issuance directly into booking platforms, slashing processing time from weeks to hours. Corporate mobility managers should nevertheless watch for fine print: many e-visas still limit stay to 30 days and may not allow multiple entries. Employees travelling for project work should confirm whether an e-visa suffices or a traditional business visa is still required.
Source: Hindustan Times
