Thailand has long been the favourite international destination for Indian travellers — Phuket beaches, Bangkok shopping, Pattaya nightlife, and now AlUla-style heritage stretches in the north. The big news for 2026: the official Thailand eVisa for Indians portal at thaievisa.go.th is now fully operational, replacing trips to the embassy or VFS for most visa categories. Combined with India’s continued visa-free access for short tourism trips, planning a trip to the Land of Smiles has never been simpler. This 2026 guide covers everything: when you actually need an eVisa, current fees, the document checklist, step-by-step application, and the new Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) that every Indian must complete before flying.
Over 1.6 million Indian tourists visited Thailand in 2025, making India one of the top-5 source markets. The Thai government has streamlined the entire visa journey — and if you stay within 60 days, you may not even need an eVisa at all. Let’s break it down.
Do Indians Need a Visa for Thailand in 2026?
It depends on your length of stay and purpose. Indian passport holders enjoy visa-free entry to Thailand for tourism stays of up to 60 days per visit, with the option to extend by another 30 days at a Thai immigration office for THB 1,900 (~₹4,800). For longer stays, work, study, business, or other purposes, you must obtain a Thailand eVisa before travelling.
- Tourism, ≤60 days: Visa-free. Just complete the TDAC online before boarding.
- Tourism, 60–90 days: Apply for a Tourist eVisa (TR), or extend on-arrival for 30 extra days.
- Business meetings, conferences: Non-Immigrant B eVisa.
- Study, internship: Non-Immigrant ED eVisa.
- Long-stay retirement, family, work permit: Various Non-Immigrant categories.
- Multiple-entry tourist: METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, valid 6 months).
Important: Even on a visa-free entry, every Indian must hold a confirmed return flight, proof of accommodation, and (sometimes asked) THB 20,000 cash equivalent per person.
Types of Thailand eVisa for Indians
The Royal Thai Embassy issues several eVisa categories through the official portal. The right one depends on what you plan to do in Thailand:
- Tourist Visa (TR) — Single Entry: Valid 3 months, allows 60-day stay; extendable by 30 days in-country.
- Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV): Valid 6 months, multiple entries, each stay up to 60 days.
- Non-Immigrant B (Business): 90 days single entry; can be converted to multi-entry once in Thailand.
- Non-Immigrant ED (Education): Valid 90 days for entry, extendable in-country aligned with course duration.
- Non-Immigrant O (Family/Retirement/Volunteer): 90 days, multiple-entry options available.
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): Long-stay 5-year multiple entry, 180 days per visit — for digital nomads, remote workers, Muay Thai/Thai cooking students.
- SMART Visa: 4-year multi-entry for tech professionals, executives and investors.
Thailand eVisa Fees for Indians (2026)
Here are the official 2026 Thailand eVisa fees, sourced from the Royal Thai Embassy and the official thaievisa.go.th portal. Indian rupee equivalents are approximate.
| Visa Type | Validity | Fee (THB) | Approx. Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa (TR) — Single Entry | 3 months | THB 2,500 | ₹6,000 |
| Multiple Entry Tourist (METV) | 6 months | THB 12,500 | ₹30,000 |
| Non-Immigrant B (Business) | 3 months | THB 3,500 | ₹8,400 |
| Non-Immigrant B Multiple Entry | 1 year | THB 17,500 | ₹42,000 |
| Non-Immigrant ED (Education) | 3 months | THB 3,500 | ₹8,400 |
| Non-Immigrant O (Family/Retirement) | 3 months | THB 3,500 | ₹8,400 |
| Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | 5 years | THB 10,000 | ₹24,000 |
| Visa on Arrival (eVOA, if applicable) | 15 days | THB 2,000 | ₹4,800 |
| Tourism Extension (in-country) | +30 days | THB 1,900 | ₹4,800 |
Visa-free entry for tourism: ₹0 (only the TDAC submission is required). For a complete view of related processes, see our Thailand visa on arrival guide.
Documents Required for Thailand eVisa from India
Because the Thai eVisa is fully online, all documents must be uploaded as digital files (PDF or JPG, under 3 MB each). Use this checklist to prepare:
- ✅ Indian passport scan, valid for at least 6 months from entry, with at least 2 blank pages
- ✅ Recent colour passport-size photo (35mm × 45mm, white background, no glasses)
- ✅ Confirmed return flight ticket (round-trip itinerary)
- ✅ Hotel bookings or proof of accommodation for the entire stay
- ✅ Bank statements of last 6 months (showing minimum balance equivalent of THB 20,000 per person / THB 40,000 per family)
- ✅ Cover letter explaining travel purpose and itinerary
- ✅ Day-wise travel plan
- ✅ Travel insurance (mandatory for Non-Immigrant categories)
- ✅ Employment letter / business registration / ITR for last 2 years
- ✅ For Non-Immigrant B: invitation letter from Thai company + Thai company registration
- ✅ For Non-Immigrant ED: acceptance letter from Thai educational institution
- ✅ For Non-Immigrant O: marriage certificate / proof of relationship with Thai citizen / volunteer letter
- ✅ For DTV: proof of remote work, freelancer income, or enrolment in Muay Thai / Thai cooking / cultural courses
- ✅ Valid email ID and international debit/credit card
Tip: Bank statements should clearly be on bank letterhead, signed and stamped, and dated within 30 days of application.
How to Apply for Thailand eVisa Online: Step-by-Step
The entire eVisa journey takes 30–60 minutes online, plus 10–14 working days for processing. Here’s the exact process at the official portal:
- Visit the official portal: Open thaievisa.go.th — the only official Royal Thai e-Visa platform. Avoid third-party look-alikes that charge 3× more.
- Create your account: Register with a valid email ID, set a password, and verify via the link sent to your inbox.
- Select visa type and country: Choose “India” as your nationality and pick the correct visa category (Tourist TR, Non-Immigrant B/ED/O, METV, etc.).
- Fill the application form: Personal details, passport info, travel dates, address in Thailand, purpose of visit, employment details, sponsor (if any) and emergency contact.
- Upload documents: Passport bio page, photo, flight booking, hotel booking, bank statement, ITR, additional documents based on visa category.
- Pay the visa fee online: Use Visa, MasterCard, or supported Indian credit/debit cards. Fees are non-refundable even if rejected.
- Await processing: Standard processing is 10–14 working days. You can track status by logging into your account or via email updates.
- Receive eVisa via email: Once approved, you’ll get the eVisa as a PDF attachment. Print 2 colour copies — one for airline check-in, one for Thai immigration.
- Complete the TDAC: Within 72 hours before departure, fill the Thailand Digital Arrival Card at tdac.immigration.go.th. This applies to ALL Indian travellers, even visa-free entrants.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) — Mandatory for ALL Indians
Since 1 May 2025, every traveller entering Thailand by air, land or sea must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within 72 hours before arrival. This applies to ALL Indians — visa-free, eVisa holders, and visa-on-arrival entrants alike.
- Where: tdac.immigration.go.th (free, official)
- When: Within 72 hours before your departure flight
- What you need: Passport, flight number, hotel name and address, mobile number, email
- Output: A QR code submitted at Thai immigration
- Cost: FREE (third-party sites that charge are scams)
No TDAC = No boarding. Airlines now refuse boarding to Indians without a TDAC QR code, so don’t skip this step.
Thailand eVisa Processing Time
| Visa Type | Processing Time | Recommended Apply Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist eVisa (TR) | 10–14 working days | 3+ weeks before travel |
| METV (Multiple Entry) | 14 working days | 4+ weeks before travel |
| Non-Immigrant B/ED/O | 14–21 working days | 4–6 weeks before travel |
| Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | 15–25 working days | 6+ weeks before travel |
| eVOA (where applicable) | 24 hours | 3+ days before travel |
| Visa-Free TDAC | Instant | Within 72 hours of departure |
Common Reasons for Thailand eVisa Rejection
Thailand’s approval rate for Indian eVisa applications is high (around 92%), but rejections do happen. Avoid these common mistakes:
- Insufficient bank balance — less than THB 20,000 equivalent per person.
- Mismatched data between application form and passport scan.
- Poor quality scans — blurry, partial, or wrong format.
- Visa overstay history in Thailand or any other country.
- Lack of return flight or vague accommodation details.
- Wrong visa category selected — applying for tourist when you intend to work, or vice versa.
- Photo issues — coloured background, glasses, smiling, or low resolution.
Refer to our broader guide on how to avoid visa rejection for general best practices.
Tips to Get Your Thailand eVisa Approved
- Apply through the official portal only — thaievisa.go.th. Third-party agents add ₹3,000–5,000 in fees with no extra benefit.
- Maintain a stable bank balance for the last 6 months — sudden inflows look suspicious.
- Buy refundable hotels and flights — even refundable bookings count as proof of intent.
- Use clear, high-resolution colour scans at 300 DPI or better.
- Match all data exactly — name, DOB, passport number must mirror your passport bio page.
- Apply 3–4 weeks ahead, especially during the November–February peak season.
- Don’t forget the TDAC within 72 hours of departure — it’s the most common boarding-day surprise for Indian travellers.
Visa-Free Travel vs Thailand eVisa: Which Should You Pick?
| Feature | Visa-Free Entry | Tourist eVisa (TR) | METV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay Per Visit | 60 days (+30 ext) | 60 days (+30 ext) | 60 days × multiple visits |
| Validity | Each entry | 3 months | 6 months |
| Cost | Free | ~₹6,000 | ~₹30,000 |
| Application Time | None (just TDAC) | 10–14 working days | 14 working days |
| Best For | Short leisure trips | Long single trips, family visits | Frequent travellers, snowbirds |
What to Do in Thailand as an Indian Tourist
- Bangkok: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chatuchak weekend market, MBK shopping
- Phuket: Patong Beach, Phi Phi Islands day trip, Big Buddha, James Bond Island
- Krabi & Koh Lanta: Railay Beach, longtail boat tours, hong island
- Chiang Mai: Doi Suthep, elephant nature park, Old City temples, night bazaar
- Pattaya: Coral Island, Walking Street, Sanctuary of Truth
- Koh Samui & Koh Phangan: Beach resorts, Full Moon Party, snorkelling
- Indian-friendly food: Strong vegetarian, Jain and Indian restaurant scenes in Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya
Combining Thailand with other Southeast Asia destinations? Check our guides on Malaysia visa for Indians, Singapore visa for Indians, and Cambodia visa for Indians for a multi-country trip.
Travel Tips for Indians Visiting Thailand
- Currency: Thai Baht (THB). Carry a forex card and some cash. Indian rupees are accepted at limited exchange counters.
- SIM card: Buy a tourist SIM at the airport (AIS or True) — 7-day or 15-day plans cost THB 200–500.
- Transport: Use Grab and Bolt apps in cities. BTS Skytrain in Bangkok is cheap and efficient.
- Etiquette: Don’t touch heads, never insult the royal family, remove shoes when entering temples and homes.
- Health: Keep a basic medication kit. Tap water isn’t safe — drink bottled water.
- Best time to visit: November to February (cool, dry season) is ideal.
Apply for Your Thailand eVisa Today
Confused between visa-free entry, eVisa, and TDAC? Our visa specialists at VisaForTrip will assess your trip, file the right application, prep all documents, and ensure your TDAC is submitted on time. Approval rate: 99% for eligible Thai eVisa applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do Indians need a visa for Thailand in 2026?
For tourism stays of up to 60 days, Indians enjoy visa-free entry. For longer stays, work, study or business, you need to apply for a Thailand eVisa at thaievisa.go.th. All travellers must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within 72 hours before departure.
2. How much does a Thailand eVisa cost for Indians?
The single-entry Tourist eVisa (TR) costs THB 2,500 (~₹6,000). Multiple-entry tourist (METV) is THB 12,500 (~₹30,000). Non-Immigrant B/ED/O visas are THB 3,500 (~₹8,400) per single entry. The new 5-year DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) is THB 10,000 (~₹24,000).
3. How long does Thailand eVisa take to process?
Standard processing is 10–14 working days for tourist eVisas, and 14–21 working days for Non-Immigrant categories. Apply at least 3–4 weeks before travel.
4. What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?
The TDAC is a mandatory online arrival declaration that ALL travellers must complete within 72 hours before arriving in Thailand. Submit at the official portal tdac.immigration.go.th. It’s free, takes 5 minutes, and produces a QR code shown at Thai immigration. Without it, you will be denied boarding.
5. Can I extend my stay in Thailand beyond 60 days?
Yes. You can extend your tourism stay by 30 additional days at any Thai immigration office for a fee of THB 1,900 (~₹4,800), giving a total possible stay of 90 days without leaving Thailand. For longer stays, apply for a multiple-entry visa (METV) or a Non-Immigrant category.
6. How much bank balance is required for Thailand eVisa?
Indian travellers should show a balance equivalent to THB 20,000 (~₹48,000) per person or THB 40,000 (~₹96,000) per family. Bank statements must cover the last 6 months and be on official bank letterhead.
7. What is the new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)?
The DTV is a 5-year multiple-entry visa launched for digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers, and people studying Muay Thai, Thai cooking, or attending cultural courses. Each visit allows up to 180 days, extendable by another 180 days. The fee is THB 10,000 (~₹24,000), making it ideal for long-term lifestyle travellers.