Thinking of a tour to Thailand to enjoy beaches and lush green scenery but got stuck in the tedious process of visa. You are at the correct place; in this article, you will get to know everything about the Thailand visa, Thailand visa on arrival, Thailand visa fees, Thailand visa photo size, and whether it is visa-free for Indians or not. You will get everything that will make your journey stress-free. Let’s dive into the process.
Is Thailand visa-free for Indians?
Yes. Indians do not need a visa for a short holiday in Thailand. Since 15 September 2026, Indian passport holders get free visa-exempt entry for tourism for up to 30 days per visit. For longer stays or business trips, you need to apply for a proper visa in advance through the Thai e-Visa system or a Thai embassy in India.
Latest Update for Indian Travelers: Visa-Free Stay Is Now 30 Days
Visa-free entry for Indians started in July 2024 with a 60-day stay. Thailand has since changed the rule. Since 15 September 2026 (Royal Gazette notice of 31 August 2026), the visa-free stay for Indians is 30 days per visit. A paid visa on arrival for Indians was planned earlier, but it was dropped in July 2026 and never came into force.
Visa-Free Travel for Indian Tourists (30 Days, Since 15 September 2026)
The Royal Thai Government allows Indian tourists to visit Thailand without a visa. If you have an Indian passport, you can stay in Thailand for up to 30 days per visit for tourism. It is free. You can extend this stay once by up to 30 days at a Thai immigration office. The fee is 1,900 THB and approval is not automatic. For business trips or longer stays, apply for the right visa in advance through the Thai e-Visa system.
Important Information:
- No Visa Needed: Indian tourists do not need a tourist visa or a visa on arrival for stays of up to 30 days.
- Documents to Show: When you arrive, you might need to show:
- A ticket for your flight leaving Thailand,
- Confirmation of your hotel or place to stay, and
- Proof of funds. Immigration may ask to see 10,000 THB per person (about ₹28,200) or 20,000 THB per family (about ₹56,300).
- Easy Arrival: There is no visa form, photo or visa fee. But you must fill the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online at tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours before you arrive. It is mandatory for all foreign visitors since 1 May 2025.
Passport Validity
Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your travel date and does not expire during your trip.
Other useful links –
https://www.mfa.go.th/en/content/thailandnewvisa-en?cate=5d5bcb4e15e39c306000683e
https://newdelhi.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visa
If you wish to visit Thailand apart from tourism then you need to apply for the Visa according to your purpose of visit.
Types of Thailand Visa:
Tourist Visa for Indians
- Its primary purpose is tourism and leisure. You need it only if you plan to stay longer than the 30-day visa-free period allows. Apply for it in advance through the Thai e-Visa system or the Thai embassy. It is not available on arrival for Indians.
Single-Entry Tourist Visa: Valid for three months, allows one entry.
Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa: Valid for six months, allows multiple entries.
Requirements for Tourist Visa:
- Passport with a validity of not less than six months
- The visa application form was filled out and signed
- A recent photograph (4×6 cm) of the applicant
- Evidence of travel in and out of Thailand (air ticket receipt paid in full)
- Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person (approx. ₹56,300) or 40,000 Baht per family)
- Visa fee paid in full
- Evidence of accommodation booking
Visa on arrival for Indians (no longer applicable)
Note: This section is kept for reference only. Indian tourists now get free visa-exempt entry for up to 30 days, so they do not use visa on arrival. A new paid visa on arrival for Indians was planned, but it was dropped in July 2026 and never came into force.
Earlier, visa on arrival was for short-term tourism. It allowed a stay of 15 days and was available only at designated immigration checkpoints in Thailand, e.g., border crossings, airports, and seaports.
Old requirements (for reference):
- Valid passport (at least 30 days validity from the date of arrival)
- Completed Visa on Arrival application form
- Recent passport-sized photograph
- Confirmed return flight ticket (within 15 days)
- Proof of accommodation
- Visa fee (THB 2,000, payable in Thai Baht only)
- Proof of sufficient funds (THB 10,000 per person or THB 20,000 per family)
Non-Immigrant Visa
Purpose
Business, education, employment, marriage, etc.
Types:
- Non-Immigrant Visa B: For business or work purposes.
- Non-Immigrant Visa ED: For educational purposes.
- Non-Immigrant Visa O: For family visits, volunteering, or retirement.
- Non-Immigrant Visa OA: For retirement (applicable to those aged 50 and above).
Requirements (General):
- Valid passport (at least six months validity)
- Completed visa application form
- Recent passport-sized photograph
- Proof of purpose of visit (e.g., business invitation, admission letter, employment contract)
- Financial proof (varies based on the visa type)
- Visa fee (varies based on the type of visa)
Additional Requirements (Specific to Visa Type):
- Business visa: A business letter or invitation from a Thai company and proof of financial stability.
- Education visa: Admission letter from a recognized Thai educational institution.
- Employment visa: Employment contract, approval letter from the Thai Ministry of Labor.
- Retirement visa: Proof of financial means (bank statement, pension details), health insurance (for long-term stay).
How to Apply for a Thailand Visa?
You can apply from the Royal Embassy office, or you can apply online.
Normal passport holders can apply for Thai visas online by submitting their documents to the following companies: VFS Global, BLS International, DU Digital Global.
We hope this article has cleared your doubts regarding the Thailand Visa. Stay tuned for the new articles that will make your trip a smooth one!