With PM Modi in Argentina, Congress recalls India's deep connect with country, Indira's 1968 visit
To Indians, Argentina instantly means Diego Armando Maradona and Lionel Messi. But there are three deeper connects as well.
Rabindranath Tagore spent time in Argentina in November 1924 at the… pic.twitter.com/arUa6ew9AV
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NDTV
44 minutes ago
- NDTV
Which 59 Countries Can Indian Passport Holders Travel Visa-Free To In 2025?
Travelling abroad is no longer a dream - it has become more accessible than ever. In 2025, more countries are offering visa-free entries to Indian passport holders. According to the Henley Passport Index 2025, the count of visa-free countries accessible to India stands at 59, with the Indian passport making a jump from the 85th place to 77th. While some countries like Malaysia, Maldives, Thailand and Mauritius are allowing visa-free entry to Indian passport holders, countries such as Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Qatar offer a visa-on-arrival. With more countries opening doors to Indian passport holders, you can now pack your bags and head to these 59 destinations without the hassle of going through a visa process. What Do Visa-Free Countries And Visa-On-Arrival Mean? Visa-Free Countries As the name suggests, visa-free countries for Indians are the ones that allow Indian passport holders to travel without applying for a visa in advance. This saves a lot of time as people don't have to go through the lengthy process of visa approval. Visa-free entries allow you to book your flight, pack your bag, and enter a country hassle-free. Of course, each country has some rules for a visa-free entry. While some countries allow you to stay for a few weeks, others may have more stringent rules. Visa-On-Arrival Visa-On-Arrival or VOA is a type of visa that you get after arriving in a country instead of applying for it at an embassy or online before your trip. Here's how it works: Once you arrive at the country, visit the Visa on arrival counter Fill out a visa form Provide the required documents including your passport, return ticket, hotel bookings, etc Pay a visa free, which may vary from one country to another Once you clear that, you should get a visa stamp right there and you are allowed to enter your destination country. Visa Free Countries For Indian Passport Holders Here are 59 visa-free countries or visa-on-arrival countries for Indian passport holders, according to the Henley Passport Report 2025: Visa-Free Countries For Indian Passport Holders 1. Angola 2. Barbados 3. Bhutan 4. British Virgin Islands 5. Cook Islands 6. Dominica 7. Fiji 8. Grenada 9. Haiti 10. Iran 11. Jamaica 12. Kazakhstan 13. Kenya 14. Kiribati 15. Macao 16. Madagascar 17. Malaysia 18. Mauritius 19. Micronesia 20. Montserrat 21. Nepal 22. Niue 23. Philippines 24. Rwanda 25. Senegal 26. St. Kitts and Nevis 27. St. Vincent and the Grenadines 28. Thailand 29. Trinidad and Tobago 30. Vanuatu Countries Where You Need A Visa-On-Arrival 31. Bolivia 32. Burundi 33. Cambodia 34. Cape Verde Islands 35. Comro Islands 36. Djibouti 37. Ethiopia 38. Guinea-Bissau 39. Indonesia 40. Jordan 41. Laos 42. Maldives 43. Marshall Islands 44. Mongolia 45. Mozambique 46. Myanmar 47. Namibia 48. Palau Islands 49. Qatar 50. Samoa 51. Sierra Leone 52. Somalia 53. Sri Lanka 54. St. Lucia 55. Tanzania 56. Timor-Leste 57. Tuvalu 58. Zimbabwe Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) ETA is a digital travel permit that allows Indians to enter a country for short-term visits or transit on a visa-free entry. 59. Seychelles Each country has a different rule so make you check the official websites of the countries before travelling.
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Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
Want to freelance in Europe? Germany's ₹1.9L/month visa route may suit you
Germany, with its strong economy and high standard of living, remains one of the most attractive destinations in Europe to live and work. For independent professionals looking to experience this, the country offers a dedicated route—the Germany Freelance Visa, officially known as the Freiberuflervisa. This visa allows non-EU nationals, including Indian citizens, to live and work independently in Germany across a range of professions. Who qualifies as a freelancer in Germany? Under Section 18 of Germany's Income Tax Act (Einkommensteuergesetz), freelance employment covers a broad set of independent roles. These include scientific, artistic, literary, teaching, and educational work. Specific professions also qualify, such as: Lawyers, notaries, and patent agents Engineers, architects, and surveyors Journalists, photojournalists, and interpreters Translators, consultants, tax advisers, and physiotherapists Are Indians showing interest in this visa? So far, not many. According to Marius Tollenaere, partner at Fragomen's Frankfurt office, the 2023 Migration Report lists Indian nationals under 'other citizenships,' indicating that fewer than 60 visas were granted to Indians last year. What are the eligibility requirements for Indian applicants? There are no restrictions based on nationality. However, applicants must meet certain professional and financial requirements assessed by local German authorities. These include the Aliens Authority (Ausländerbehörde), Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the regulator for the specific profession. 'The authorities you need to contact are, for example, the Aliens Authority, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the authority regulating admission to the profession concerned,' the German Consulate General in Mumbai told Business Standard. Documents needed for the application Applicants must submit two identical sets of documents, along with their originals. Key items include: < A valid passport (issued within the last 10 years, with at least 2 empty pages) < Completed application forms and declarations < A detailed business plan, supported by letters of intent or fee contracts < CV and proof of qualifications (degrees, training certificates, references) < Financial proof including capital availability and revenue forecast < Health insurance that meets German standards < If aged 45 or above: proof of retirement coverage (monthly pension or assets) < Three biometric passport photographs < Visa fee of €75 (payable in INR as per the consulate's exchange rate) If applying for a regulated profession, you'll also need formal permission to practise in Germany, known as Berufsausübungserlaubnis. Additional documents like rental contracts, client contacts, or evidence of a German degree may be requested. Health insurance rules explained Health cover must start from your travel date and meet specific criteria: No cap on reimbursement in case of illness Annual deductible not exceeding €300 Pre-existing conditions must be included No expiry linked to age or visa changes Automatically renewable or without time limits Is there a profession-specific requirement? Yes, depending on the field. 'While the type of degree and education is less relevant for a journalist, teachers will need to provide evidence of adequate training,' said Tollenaere. 'The legal profession is regulated in Germany, and the university degree must be recognised and enrolment in the bar must be proven.' No, not as an employee. 'They can do individual jobs for companies on their own account, but may not work full time for one client alone for a longer time. In that case, they would have to move out of a freelance visa into an employment visa,' said Tollenaere. Cost of applying and living 'The government fees for the entry visa and a subsequent residence card amount to €175,' said Tollenaere. But beyond that, applicants need to prove they can fund the early stages of their work and living expenses. 'Enough capital must be proven to get the business started and to cover living costs for the first months until revenue from the business kicks in. Applicants need to bear in mind that adequate health insurance, which is an eligibility requirement, may cost many hundred euros per month alone. Other costs, like housing, must also be taken into account,' he added. According to a Munich-based website that guides foreigners living in or moving to Germany, the monthly average cost of living for one person is as follows: Rent: ₹73,364 Utilities: ₹18,200 Groceries: ₹34,034 Other expenses: ₹68,796 Total: ₹1,94,394 The cost could differ significantly from city to city. Two visa tracks: Freelancer or self-employed There are two categories under which applicants can apply: Freelancer (Freiberufler): Professionals such as journalists, architects, designers, doctors, IT experts, and teachers offering independent services Self-employed (Selbständigeror Gewerbetreibender): Those setting up a business or practice, such as consultants or small business owners Freelancers must also register with the local tax office (Finanzamt) to obtain a tax ID number. Permanent residency possible After five years of living in Germany, with proof of language proficiency and regular income, applicants may become eligible for permanent residency. 'Germany's Freelance Visa can be a valuable opportunity for Indian professionals, especially in fields like IT, media, design, consulting, and language training where independent work is common,' said Mayank Kumar, co-founder and CEO at BorderPlus. 'It allows individuals to live and work in Germany while offering services to local clients. The benefits include flexible work arrangements, access to the European market, and potential long-term residency if structured well,' he said. 'Those who come to us for jobs abroad (mostly nurses in the case of BorderPlus), they look at career growth, job security, long-term settlement options, and a better quality of life. We do observe a steady interest in Germany as a possible destination for skilled work and long-term planning,' Kumar told Business Standard.
News18
5 hours ago
- News18
Indians Can Now Travel Easier (And Smarter): The Most Exciting Visa Updates of 2025
Last Updated: From visa-free getaways to remote work opportunities, new 2025 visa policies are opening exciting doors for Indian travellers across the globe. International travel just got a whole lot easier for Indian passport holders, thanks to several major updates in visa policies worldwide. From visa-free access to streamlined processing and new digital nomad opportunities, here are the key changes you need to know before planning your next getaway: 1. Remote Work Now Allowed on New Zealand Visitor Visa Starting January 27, 2025, New Zealand has updated its visitor visa rules to permit remote work for up to 90 days during a stay of up to six months. This means if you're employed by a foreign company, you can work remotely while primarily enjoying New Zealand as a tourist. 2. South Africa Launches Express Visa via Tour Operators South Africa has introduced the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), allowing accredited tour operators to submit group visa applications directly. This move reduces the processing time to just three working days, offering a smoother experience for Indian group travellers. 3. Palau Grants Visa-Free Entry for Indians The island nation of Palau now offers Indian citizens visa-free access for short visits of up to 30 days. Although there are no direct flights from India, convenient connections through cities like Singapore, Manila, Seoul, and Taipei make it a reachable paradise for Indian tourists. The Philippines now grants visa-free entry to Indian nationals under two new provisions. Indians can visit for up to 14 days visa-free for tourism. Moreover, if you hold a valid visa or permanent residency from countries like the US, Japan, or within the Schengen zone, you're eligible for a 30-day visa-free stay. 5. US to Add USD 250 Visa Integrity Fee Indian travellers heading to the US should brace for increased costs. A new USD 250 (approximately ₹21,600) 'visa integrity fee" will apply to most nonimmigrant visas, including student and work categories. This will raise the total application fee to around USD 473 (roughly ₹41,000). The implementation date is expected to be around October 1, 2025. 6. US Student Visa Applicants Face Social Media Scrutiny Indian students applying for US visas will now be subject to mandatory social media disclosure. All handles and usernames used in the past five years must be declared, and applicants must keep their profiles public. Deactivating accounts or deleting posts just before applying may raise red flags. 7. Slovenia to Welcome Indian Digital Nomads Slovenia is set to roll out its digital nomad visa on November 21, 2025. Indian remote workers employed by foreign companies can live in Slovenia for up to a year, with the option to bring their family. However, the visa is non-renewable, and a six-month break outside Slovenia will be required to reapply. view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 08:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
