If you live in New Jersey, London or Melbourne but still hold an Indian passport, you've probably asked this before booking a holiday: do I follow the rules for Indians, or the rules for where I live?
The short answer: your passport (nationality) decides whether you need a visa. Your residence permit only changes things where a country has written a specific exception for it, and where you apply from.
That one rule settles most questions. The rest of this guide covers the exceptions that save NRIs real time and money.
Rule 1: your passport decides if you need a visa
Every country publishes its visa rules by nationality. A US green card, UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Australian PR does not change your nationality, so an Indian citizen is treated as an Indian citizen at the border.
| You hold | You live in | Vietnam | Bali (Indonesia) | Thailand (up to 30 days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian passport | India | e-visa needed | Visa on arrival / e-VOA | Visa-free |
| Indian passport + green card | USA | e-visa needed | Visa on arrival / e-VOA | Visa-free |
| Indian passport + ILR | UK | e-visa needed | Visa on arrival / e-VOA | Visa-free |
| Indian passport + PR | Australia | e-visa needed | Visa on arrival / e-VOA | Visa-free |
Notice that the answers don't change down each column. That's Rule 1 in action.
Rule 2: some countries give a shortcut to residents of rich countries
A few countries let Indian passport holders in more easily if they also hold a visa or residence permit from a country they trust. These are the shortcuts NRIs use most:
- UAE: a visa on arrival for Indians holding a valid US visa or green card, or an EU visa or residence permit. In 2026 the UAE announced that a UK residence permit alone would no longer qualify, so UK-based Indians should apply in advance.
- Singapore: a 96-hour visa-free transit for Indians flying on to a third country who hold a valid visa or long-term pass from Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the UK or the US.
- Mexico, Georgia, Turkey and others: several countries accept a valid US, UK or Schengen visa or residence permit in place of their own visa, each with its own conditions.
These exceptions are narrow and they change. Always read the exact wording: valid usually means valid for a minimum period (often 6 months) after you arrive.
Rule 3: where you live decides where you apply
Visas you apply for at an embassy (Schengen, UK, US, Canada, Japan) are normally handled by the consulate covering the country where you legally live, not by the one in India. An Indian in London applies for a Schengen visa in the UK. An Indian in Sydney applies for a Japan visa in Australia.
Online e-visas (Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Turkey) usually don't care where you apply from, but they still ask for your current address. Use your real overseas address and keep your nationality as Indian everywhere.
Rule 4: plan the trip back home too
Your holiday visa is half the trip. Your re-entry to the country you live in is the other half, and it's where most NRIs get caught out:
- USA: H-1B holders need a valid visa stamp to come back; F-1 students need a recent travel signature on the I-20; green card holders should avoid absences of a year or more.
- UK: BRP cards no longer prove your status for travel. Make sure your current passport is linked to your eVisa and carry a share code.
- Australia: PR holders need a valid travel facility (or a Resident Return Visa once it expires); student visa holders must keep studying and stay enrolled.
Quick checklist before any trip
- Check the visa rule for Indian citizens going to your destination.
- Check whether your residence permit or US/UK/EU visa unlocks a shortcut, and how long it must be valid for.
- Work out where you must apply from (usually your country of residence).
- Confirm your passport has at least 6 months left and 2 blank pages.
- Check what you need to get back into the country where you live.
Get your visa application with Krosz in 5 steps
- Pick your destination and your trip type. Open visa application on Krosz and choose tourist, business or family visit. You see the full price before you start: ₹1,999 Krosz service fee + GST, plus the government fee.
- Sign in with a one-time code. No password to remember: enter your email and type the OTP we send.
- Upload your passport and photo. Krosz reads your passport page and pre-fills your details, so you only check them.
- Add your trip details and pay securely. Dates, entry point and where you're staying, then pay by UPI, card or net banking.
- A Krosz visa expert checks everything, then submits. A trained expert reviews every document one-to-one before it reaches the government, and you track the status until your visa arrives by email.
Not sure which rule applies to you? Our experts check your passport and residence documents before you pay the government fee, so you don't lose it on a rejection.
[Start your visa application with Krosz →](/visa)
Rules and fees last checked on 11 October 2026. Visa rules change often: always confirm on the official government website or with your airline before you fly.