Long-Term Tourist Visas for Indians in 2026 – What Nobody Really Explains Properly#

So, um, quick confession before we start. I didn’t become a “long-term traveller” because I’m some cool digital nomad with a MacBook in Bali. I basically got sick of doing 5‑day trips with more airport time than actual holiday, you know? And like most Indians, I realised very fast that our passport is… let’s say, not the most powerful thing on earth. Every time I wanted to stay somewhere more than 2–3 weeks, visas would just attack me from all directions.

Over the last few years I experimented a lot with long‑stay tourist visas and visa‑like options – Schengen, Thailand’s long stay, Malaysia’s e‑visa, Georgia, Vietnam, Balkans, all that. Not just reading from blogs, actually going, standing in queues, arguing with grumpy immigration officers, panicking over bank statements and rejected photos. So this is kinda my honest download for 2026 and ahead – which countries are actually friendly for Indians who want to stay longer than the usual 10‑day “package tour”, and how it really feels on the ground.

First, What Do I Even Mean by “Long-Term Tourist”?#

Let’s be clear, I’m not talking about PR or work visa here. I mean:

  • Staying 30–180 days in one country as a tourist (or remote worker, unofficially)
  • Not taking up local employment
  • Slow travelling – renting a room or small apartment, cooking, learning local buses etc

The world changed a lot after Covid, and now again with all the remote work trend. Many countries realised long‑term tourists are good business – we pay rent, eat in local dhabas (or whatever is their version), buy SIM cards, but we don’t use schools or hospitals much. So suddenly, longer stays are becoming more common and a bit easier for Indians than earlier, if you plan properly.

Quick Reality Check for Indian Passport Holders#

I’ll just say it straight: we don’t have it super easy. A lot of long‑term options are actually designed for EU / US citizens. But not all. There are still some very solid options where Indians are genuinely welcome and I’ve personally seen plenty of desi folks chilling long‑term with their laptops or just living that slow life.

General pattern I’ve noticed while travelling:

  • South East Asia is the most chill for long stays, especially Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia (with some effort).
  • Europe is tricky but possible – Schengen multi‑entry + non‑Schengen countries like Georgia, Serbia etc can be combined smartly.
  • Some countries are indirectly long‑term friendly because they allow easy extensions or re‑entries.

Okay, let’s get into actual places and what staying long term feels like, not just what their embassy website says.

1. Thailand – The Unofficial Long-Stay Capital for Indians#

I’ve spent the longest chunks outside India in Thailand. There’s a reason every second Indian remote worker ends up in Bangkok or Phuket or Chiang Mai with a cold coffee and fast wifi.

Visa Options for Longer Stays#

For us, these are the most practical ones right now:

  • Single‑entry tourist visa (TR): usually 60 days, extendable by 30 days inside Thailand. So total 90 days.
  • Multiple‑entry tourist visa (METV): can be issued for 6 months with multiple entries, each stay up to 60 days. Extension possible in some cases.

On‑arrival scenes keep changing, but if you want long stay, proper tourist visa from VFS or Embassy is more reliable. Officials are used to Indian applicants now, but still, keep your documents tight – bookings, bank statement (I showed around 1.5–2 lakh balance), basic itinerary, return ticket etc.

What It Actually Costs to Live There#

Everybody thinks Thailand is dirt cheap, but long term you do feel the expenses. Rough idea (per month) from my stays:

  • Bangkok: 15k–35k INR for a decent studio if you stay a bit away from BTS hotspots, more if you want Sukhumvit fancy vibes
  • Chiang Mai: 12k–25k INR for a basic but nice condo with pool & gym (this is why everyone goes there)
  • Food: 150–250 baht per day if you eat street food (pad kra pao, khao man gai, noodles, etc) and cook a little

I used to spend around 45k–55k INR per month living quite comfortably in Chiang Mai, including cafe workdays, weekend trips to nearby mountains, Grab rides, and the occassional massage when my back gave up.

Best months to stay long term there? Nov to Feb – cool weather, less humidity, and air quality is better before the burning season hits North Thailand around Feb–April.

2. Malaysia – Super Practical, Super Underrated for Long Stays#

Malaysia doesn’t shout about itself like Thailand, but honestly, in many ways it’s more comfortable for Indians. Food is familiar (roti canai, teh tarik, biryani, everything), so many Indians and Pakistanis around that you feel like you’re in some cleaner, more organised version of home at times.

Visa Situation for Indians#

Most of us use the e‑Visa or eNTRI system for short visits. For long term, the trick is:

  • Standard tourist e‑visa usually gives up to 30 days
  • You can re‑enter after a gap if immigration is fine with it (they do look at how many times you’re coming, so don’t play too smart)

For really long stays, there is Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H), but that needs proper investment, fixed deposit, higher income etc – it’s more for people looking semi‑retirement or long term residency. Not my vibe yet, my bank balance laughed at that one.

Cost of Living & Vibe#

In Kuala Lumpur, I was paying about 30k INR for a single room in a shared condo with pool + gym, near an MRT line. Not bad at all for a capital city with actually functional public transport.

  • Meals in local joints: 10–20 RM (paneer you will miss a bit, but Indian food is everywhere)
  • Monthly pass for trains & buses is quite affordable and punctual
  • Fast internet almost everywhere, even in random cafes

Best season? Honestly Malaysia is hot and humid almost all year, but I prefer Jan–March and July–Aug to avoid heavy monsoon in some areas. For long term stay, KL, Penang, and Johor Bahru (if you like popping into Singapore occasionally) are the top choices I’ve seen Indians settling into for a few months.

3. Vietnam – Long Stays Are Getting Easier (and Nicer)#

Vietnam used to be a bit painful with visas for Indians, but things improved a lot with better e‑visa systems and more tourist focus. I did a 2‑month almost‑back‑to‑back stay hopping between Hanoi, Da Nang and Hoi An, and it felt insanely good value.

E‑Visa & Extensions#

Vietnam offers e‑visas for Indians, typically up to 30 days. Sometimes agencies inside Vietnam can help get extension or conversion, but this is one place where I’ll say – rules change, a lot. Check latest news before you plan 3‑month stays.

The pattern I saw among long stay travellers (including a few Indians I met in Da Nang cafès):

  • Get a 30‑day e‑visa
  • Stay in one city for 3–4 weeks (Hanoi / Da Nang / Saigon)
  • Exit to nearby country (Thailand or Malaysia), re‑enter with new visa if allowed

Not the most stable system, but if your dates are flexible and you don’t mind some airport hopping, it’s doable.

Living Costs (Spoiler: Very Affordable)#

In Da Nang I had a pretty comfy studio near the beach for about 18k INR per month, including cleaning once a week. Food is ridiculously good and cheap if you like noodles, rice, coffee. Vegetarian options are there but you need to research a bit, or learn some Viet phrases.

  • Street food meal: 40k–60k VND (roughly 140–210 INR)
  • Local coffee: 30k–50k VND (even cheaper if not in tourist zones)
  • Scooter rental: 2500–3500 INR per month if you’re comfortable driving

Best months? Feb–April in central Vietnam (Da Nang, Hoi An) are lovely. Avoid rainy season if you hate constant damp feeling.

4. Georgia & The Balkans – Europe(ish) Without Total Budget Destruction#

When I first landed in Tbilisi, I had exactly one thought: “Oh wow, this is like Europe but my wallet is not crying so badly.” For Indians wanting that European feel without Schengen drama every two seconds, Georgia and some Balkan countries are honestly such solid options.

Georgia’s Visa Friendliness#

Georgia has been quite friendly historically to Indian travellers, especially if you already hold a valid multi‑entry visa for US/UK/Schengen/GCC. In that case, many Indians could enter visa‑free for short stays. The exact rules keep updating, so don’t blindly trust old blog posts from like 2019. But overall, their policy has been way more welcoming than typical Schengen countries.

On the ground, immigration in Tbilisi did ask me detailed questions – where I’m staying, what I do, how long, proof of funds etc. But once you’re in, life is relaxed. In Tbilisi, 20k–30k INR gets you a decent 1‑room apartment if you avoid ultra‑touristy areas.

Balkans: Serbia, Albania, Montenegro etc#

Serbia used to give visa‑free access for Indians with certain other visas, though again, policies have shifted over the years. Albania also has similar rules sometimes tied with Schengen/US/UK visas. The hack some long‑term travellers do is this:

  • Spend 90 days inside Schengen (if you have Schengen multi‑entry)
  • Then move to Balkans / Georgia / Caucasus for next 90 days
  • Keep bouncing between these zones legally to stretch your time in that region

Is it tiring? Yes. Fun? Also yes. I met a Gujarati couple in Belgrade who were basically doing this cycle, working remotely in IT, and they had almost a full year in Europe and nearby without breaking any rules. Just lots of visa maths and calendar reminders.

5. Schengen Area – Long Stay Is Possible, But You Need Patience (and Bank Balance)#

Schengen is that dream right – summers in Europe, small towns, trains, all that Instagram cottagecore vibe. For Indians, the big problem is the 90/180 rule: you can stay a max of 90 days in any 180‑day period across the entire Schengen zone.

Multi‑Entry Tourist Visas#

If you’re lucky (and have good financials & travel history), some Schengen countries give 1‑year or even 2–5 year multi‑entry visas. I got a 1‑year multi from Spain once, and it was a game changer. Still the 90/180 rule applies, but:

  • You don’t need to re‑apply for every trip
  • You can plan a solid 2–3 month long stay in one go
  • Then exit to Balkans / UK / Georgia etc and re‑enter after your 180 day window resets

Living long term in Europe is expensive though. My 6‑week stay in a small Spanish town cost me approx:

  • Airbnb room in shared flat: 45k–50k INR per month
  • Groceries: 15k–18k INR (if you cook a lot, which I did, because outside food is pricey)
  • Trains & buses for weekend trips: easily another 10k–20k if you move around

I’m not saying don’t do it – if your budget allows, a 2–3 month Schengen stay is amazing. Just don’t underestimate the cost. This is not like living in Chiang Mai on 50k a month.

6. Indonesia (Especially Bali) – Long Stay but With Slight Jugaad#

Bali is basically full of Indians now, both tourists and long‑stay folks. Remote workers, yoga people, crypto bros, honeymooners, everyone. The visa situation though is a bit confusing because they keep tweaking rules, but generally:

Tourist & Visit Visas#

Indonesia has various visa categories that can be used for long stays, like the B211A visit visa (which some agencies set up) that allows 60 days and can often be extended multiple times inside the country, sometimes giving up to 180 days total. Note – this is not something I recommend doing blindly with shady agents; use a reputable visa agency and double check latest rules.

On arrival options and e‑visa for shorter stays are still there, but for proper long term Bali chill, most people I met had:

  • Either a longer visit visa arranged in advance
  • Or they did a few entry–exit runs to nearby countries like Malaysia / Singapore

Actual Long-Stay Life in Bali#

In Canggu and Ubud, a simple room in a guesthouse with pool, wifi and breakfast can be around 18k–35k INR per month depending on season. Scooters are practically mandatory unless you love walking in humidity and dodging traffic.

  • Scooter rental: 3000–4500 INR per month
  • Local meals (nasi goreng, mie goreng, etc): 150–250 INR
  • Fancy cafe brunch: 400–800 INR (still cheaper than Indian big city brunch tbh)

Best months to stay? April–June and September–November are sweet spots. Peak summer holidays and Christmas–New Year are crowded and more expensive.

7. Gulf Region – Not Exactly Tourist Long-Stay, But Interesting Options#

Places like UAE, especially Dubai, are not typically thought of as long‑term tourist spots, but lately with golden visas, freelance permits, and long stay tourist options, some Indians are using them as base for a few months.

Tourist visas to UAE from India are usually 30 or 60 days, but many travel agents offer 90‑day tourist visas too (though technically those are also regulated and not guaranteed forever, but they exist in practice). Prices vary a lot and overstay fines are strict, so I personally treat UAE as more short‑medium stay, not a chill 6‑month base.

Cost wise, long term in Dubai is heavy – rents, food, transport – unless you’re earning in dollars or dirhams. I’ll be honest, my weekly grocery bill there made me miss Bangalore very fast.

How I Personally Plan a Long-Term Trip (Indian Style Jugaad + Realism)#

When I sit to plan a 2–6 month abroad stretch, I don’t start with just "where is cool" like Instagram. I start with three boring but important things:

  • 1) Visa possibilities for Indian passport (length, difficulty, cost)
  • 2) Average monthly living cost vs my current income in rupees
  • 3) Safety & basic comfort – can I walk around at night, is solo travel ok, how’s healthcare

Then I make a kind of route. Example: 3 months in Thailand → 1 month in Vietnam → 2 months in Malaysia. Each gives me new stamp, new culture, but similar-ish timezone and flights are cheap. This is the kind of loop that fits well if you’re working remote India hours also, cause you’re not waking up at 3am for calls.

Money Talk – How Much You Actually Need#

Honestly this depends on your lifestyle, but if you want a realistic number for long‑stay in reasonably affordable countries (SEA, Georgia, Balkans), I’d say:

Around 60k–90k INR per month is a comfortable range if you’re not trying to live like some luxury influencer. That covers:

  • Room / studio in a safe area
  • Groceries + some outside food
  • Local SIM, public transport, occasional trips
  • Visa fees spread across months

Europe would be more like 1.2–1.8 lakh per month for similar comfort. Anything less and you’ll be counting every coffee and bus ticket.

Current Trends & Safety Stuff Indians Should Actually Watch#

Things change fast. Rules, geo‑politics, random diplomatic fights – all this can hit visas. I’ve learnt (sometimes the hard way) to keep an eye on:

  • Official embassy websites and VFS updates for visa rule changes
  • Local news about protests, natural disasters, new travel restrictions
  • Indian government advisories for specific countries

Safety wise, most of the places I’ve mentioned – Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Georgia, Balkans – felt pretty safe even for solo Indian travellers if you use basic common sense. Petty theft can happen, scams obviously exist (taxi scams, currency exchange, dodgy visa agents) but violent crime towards tourists is not something I personally saw up close.

The bigger risk for long‑term travellers isn’t robbery, it’s visa overstay or messing up rules. Overstays can mean heavy fines, deportation, future visa issues. Never play that game. Set calendar reminders, keep at least 3–4 buffer days before your visa expiry to exit or extend.

Small But Important Logistics That Make Long Stays Easier#

Few boring things that honestly made my long stays 10x smoother:

  • Always get travel insurance that covers the full duration. Immigration sometimes asks for it, especially in Europe, and hospital bills abroad can destroy you financially.
  • Carry multiple debit/credit cards from different banks. I had HDFC card randomly stop working in Thailand once, and my SBI one saved my life that day.
  • Use a mix of booking.com / Airbnb / local Facebook groups to find monthly stays. In many places, once you land, you can negotiate better for month‑long rentals directly with landlords.
  • Get a local SIM as soon as you land. Data is usually cheap in Asia and absolutely worth it for maps, banking OTPs, everything.

And learn like 10–20 words in the local language. Seriously. Even just “hello”, “thank you”, “how much”, “vegetarian”, “no sugar” etc. Locals appreciate it, and it makes you feel less like a complete outsider.

So… Which Long-Term Visa Should You Actually Aim For in 2026?#

If you’re Indian, starting out, and not rolling in dollars, here’s my very un‑fancy, honest prioritisation from my own experience:

  • Start with Thailand or Malaysia – easier visas, culturally comfortable, affordable, amazing food, plenty of other Indians around if you get homesick.
  • Then add Vietnam or Indonesia once you’re confident handling visa papers, extensions, and basic travel hiccups.
  • If you’ve built a good travel history and have strong financial docs, go for a multi‑entry Schengen and do a slow 1–3 month European stay plus some Balkans/Georgia time.

Don’t get too obsessed with some perfect “long‑term tourist visa country list”. Things will keep changing. But the pattern is clear: more countries are opening up long‑stay options because digital nomads and remote workers are big business now, and Indians are a growing chunk of that crowd.

Also, be honest about your reason. If you’re going just to chill, say so. If you’re working remotely for an Indian company, that’s usually fine, because you’re not taking local jobs. Just don’t try to sneak into work illegally on a tourist visa. That’s how rules get tightened and everybody suffers later.

Final Thoughts (Before You Start Packing Everything You Own)#

Living abroad for a few months at a time completely changed how I see travel. It’s not always glamorous – some days you’re sick alone, some days wifi dies during an important call, sometimes you just desperately want proper Indian chai instead of fancy latte. But it’s worth it, man. You stop being “just a tourist” and you start understanding how people actually live in other countries.

If you’re an Indian planning a long‑term tourist stay in 2026 and beyond, don’t let the passport anxiety stop you. It’s definitely harder for us than some other nationalities, but not impossible at all. With the right visas, some patience, realistic budgeting, and a little bit of desi jugaad, you can absolutely pull off multi‑month stays in some amazing places.

Anyway, I could ramble about this all day, but I’ll stop here. If you want more grounded travel stories and not just brochure‑style blogs, have a look at AllBlogs.in also – lots of folks sharing real experiences there, the kind we actually use when we’re planning our next escape from office life.