A travel vlogger’s tearful rant about the difficulties of traveling with an Indian passport has gone viral on the internet, generating a broader discussion about visa restrictions and international mobility for Indian citizens.
In a commiserating video posted on social media, the owner of the popular handle ‘On Road Indian’ expressed his frustration while waving his passport around, saying that it is “worth nothing” when it comes to traveling abroad. He revealed that with his experience as a travelling enthusiast possessing all the documents one needs and a good financial background, he is usually refused entry or hassled unnecessarily just because of his passport.
The vlogger quoted a recent incident when Jordan denied him entry merely on the grounds of his nationality. He went on to state that nations like Egypt now demand invitation letters, and China gives Indian passport holders just a 24-hour transit visa—much less than is given to other nationals.
Wherever you travel, the doors are shut. More and more countries are withdrawing visa-on-arrival and visa-free facilities to Indians,” he deplored, reflecting the mood of American travelers in general.
The video soon went viral, with more than 7 million views in two days. It preceded a chain reaction of responses, as many social media users shared similar experiences and irritations. It also comes at a time of India’s recent fall in the global passport ranking index, where it fell a few notches, indicating waning travel freedom.
The vlogger’s raw honesty has reignited discussions about the disparities in international travel access and the need for stronger diplomatic efforts to improve global mobility for Indian passport holders.
