The Thailand visa for Indians is more traveller-friendly than most people assume. As of 2026, Indian passport holders can enter Thailand visa-free for tourism – with no application, no fee and no embassy visit. You simply arrive, show a few standard documents and receive an entry stamp. This makes Thailand one of the easiest international beach-and-city holidays for Indian travellers.
Current visa-free status for Indian citizens
Thailand’s visa exemption for Indian nationals remains in force. Historically the visa-free stay was up to 60 days. In mid-2026 the Thai Cabinet approved a revised framework that keeps India in the visa-exempt group but reduces the maximum stay to 30 days. Importantly, this change takes effect only 15 days after publication in Thailand’s Royal Gazette. Until that publication happens, the existing 60-day allowance still applies. Because this is a transitional period, always confirm the current cap on the official Thai portal before you book non-refundable travel.
Under visa-free entry you pay nothing for the visa itself. You should, however, be ready to show a passport valid for at least six months, a confirmed return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation, and proof of funds (immigration commonly expects around 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family). These checks are occasional but real, so keep printouts handy.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
Regardless of which route you use, every non-Thai traveller must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online, free of charge, at tdac.immigration.go.th. Submit it within 72 hours before arrival by air, land or sea. This has replaced the old paper arrival card and is a mandatory step even for visa-free tourists – missing it can cause delays at the border.
e-Visa and other options for longer or non-tourist stays
If your plans exceed the visa-free limit, or you are travelling for work, study, business or a long stay, Thailand’s official e-Visa system (thaievisa.go.th) is the route to use. Common categories for Indians include:
- Tourist Visa (TR): single-entry, ideal when you want a longer, extendable holiday than the visa-free cap allows.
- Multiple-entry visa (6 months): convenient for repeat visits within half a year.
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): a long-stay option aimed at remote workers, freelancers and long-term visitors.
- Non-Immigrant Visa: for business, employment or study, backed by supporting letters and documents.
- Visa on Arrival (VoA): a fallback at select checkpoints, generally unnecessary while visa-free entry is available.
Documents Indian applicants should prepare
- Passport valid 6+ months with blank pages
- Recent passport-size photographs
- Confirmed return/onward flight tickets
- Hotel bookings or host details for the full stay
- Proof of funds / recent bank statements
- For e-Visa categories: employment, business, study or financial documents as required
Fees and processing times
Visa-free entry is free, and the TDAC costs nothing. If you apply for an e-Visa, government fees vary by category: a Tourist (TR) e-Visa typically works out to around INR 3,000-6,000 including standard service costs, while long-stay categories such as the DTV are considerably higher. Processing for the e-Visa is usually about 5-14 working days, so apply well ahead of travel. In-country extensions (for example an extra 1,900 THB tourist extension) may be available at Thai immigration offices, subject to their rules. Treat all figures as indicative ranges and confirm exact amounts on the official portal, as fees and stay limits change.
Practical tips
- Book flexible or refundable tickets during the 60-to-30-day transition in case the stay cap changes.
- Complete the TDAC on the official government site only – it is free.
- Carry both digital and printed copies of all documents.
- If you may stay beyond the visa-free limit, apply for an e-Visa before you fly rather than relying on extensions.
VisaForTrip is a private visa-assistance service and is not a government body. Immigration rules, fees and stay limits change frequently – please verify the latest requirements with the official Thai authorities (thaievisa.go.th and immigration.go.th) or the Royal Thai Embassy before travelling.