Advertising
From Pink Slips to Silent Sidelining: Inside adland’s layoff and anxiety crisis
Skip the Visa queue! Where to travel this Diwali without a Visa
With Diwali 2025 falling over a long weekend, Indian travellers are eyeing quick international escapes that don’t require visas. From Mauritius and Malaysia to Seychelles and Fiji, several countries now offer visa-free entry for Indian passport holders.
A rare long weekend meets Diwali cheer, giving Indians the perfect excuse to pack their bags for a quick international break — no visa, no worries.
With Diwali 2025 falling over a long weekend, working professionals across India are eyeing short, spontaneous getaways. The best part? You don’t need to battle visa delays or embassy queues. A growing list of countries now welcome Indian passport holders visa-free, making this festive season ideal for a last-minute escape.
From tropical beaches to vibrant island nations, here are 10 visa-free destinations where you can celebrate Diwali 2025 without a single form to fill:
Barbados: Famous for its white sands, rum heritage and lively coastal culture, Barbados lets Indians stay up to 90 days visa-free.
Mauritius: With turquoise lagoons, volcanic landscapes and the Seven Coloured Earths of Chamarel, Indians can enjoy up to 90 days visa-free.
Philippines: Dive into 7,000 islands of adventure — from Boracay’s beaches to Manila’s old-world charm — with 14 days visa-free.
Macau: The “Las Vegas of Asia” blends colonial history with glitz and gaming. Stay up to 30 days visa-free.
Malaysia: Langkawi’s islands and Kuala Lumpur’s skyline await Indian travellers, who can visit for 30 days visa-free.
Fiji: Coral reefs, blue lagoons, and warm island culture define this Pacific paradise. Indians get four months visa-free.
Seychelles: Known for its pristine beaches and granite islands, Seychelles offers 30 days visa-free for Indian passport holders.
Cook Islands: Explore Aitutaki’s lagoon and traditional Maori culture with 31 days visa-free.
British Virgin Islands: A haven for sailing, snorkelling and serenity — Indians can visit for 30 days visa-free.
Haiti: Rich in Caribbean culture, history, and nature, Indians can stay up to 90 days visa-free.
With extended weekends becoming the new travel trend, Diwali 2025 is shaping up to be a season of spontaneous escapes. Whether it’s rum-tasting in Barbados, diving in Fiji, or soaking up culture in Malaysia, Indian travellers now have the world — and a visa-free stamp — waiting for them.
SPOTLIGHT
From purpose-driven work and narrative-rich brand films to AI-enabled ideas and creator-led collaborations, the awards reflect the full spectrum of modern creativity.
Read More“Confusion creates opportunity for agile players,” Sir Martin Sorrell on industry consolidation
Looking ahead to the close of 2025 and into 2026, Sorrell sees technology platforms as the clear winners. He described them as “nation states in their own right”, with market capitalisations that exceed the GDPs of many countries.