Thailand Visa for Indians (2026): Rules, Fees, Documents & What's Changing

Indian passport holders do not need a visa for tourist trips to Thailand of up to 60 days. The 60-day visa exemption is still in force as of 16 August 2026. A change moving India to a 30-day exemption was approved by Thailand's Cabinet in May 2026 but has not yet been published in the Royal Gazette, so it is not yet law. You must still complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before you fly.

📌 Status board: updated 16 August 2026

We re-check this page against the Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi every month. Last check: 16 August 2026.

Changelog

• 16 Aug 2026: Verified directly against Thailand's official MFA e-Visa checker. Indians still enter visa-free for up to 60 days. Royal Gazette publication still pending.

• 7 Jul 2026: Thai government issues entry reminder on proof of funds (THB 10,000 per person, THB 20,000 per family, under-12s exempt).

• Jul 2026: Tourism Authority of Thailand indicates India will move to 30-day visa exemption, not Visa on Arrival as originally announced.

• 21 May 2026: Royal Thai Embassy New Delhi reconfirms the 60-day exemption "remains effective until further announcement."

• 19 May 2026: Thai Cabinet approves restructuring of visa exemption schemes. India initially listed under Visa on Arrival.

• 16 Apr 2026: Royal Thai Embassy New Delhi publishes updated fee schedule for visa, legalisation and consular services.

• 1 Jan 2025: Thailand e-Visa system goes live for applications filed in India.

Do Indians need a visa for Thailand right now?

No, not for tourism or short business visits of 60 days or less. Indian ordinary passport holders enter under Thailand's visa exemption scheme. You do not apply for anything in advance and you pay nothing for the entry stamp itself.

You will still need to:

• Complete the TDAC online before departure (free)

• Hold a passport valid 6+ months from arrival

• Carry confirmed return or onward tickets

• Have proof of accommodation

• Be able to show proof of funds if asked

You do need a visa in advance if your trip is longer than 60 days, or if you're travelling for work, study, medical treatment beyond 60 days, or any non-tourist purpose.

What's changing, and when

On 19 May 2026 Thailand's Cabinet approved a restructuring of its visa exemption and Visa on Arrival schemes. In the original announcement, India was moved out of the visa exemption list and into Visa on Arrival. That is why you will see many articles claiming Indians now pay THB 2,000 for a 15-day VOA.

Two things happened after that:

1. In July 2026, the Tourism Authority of Thailand indicated India would instead be placed on the 30-day visa exemption list, not Visa on Arrival, citing India's economic and tourism importance.

2. The change has not been enacted. The Ministry of Interior announcements that give it legal force have not been published in the Royal Gazette. The rules take effect 15 days after that publication.

What this means for you: if you're travelling in the next few weeks, you almost certainly still have the 60-day exemption. If you're booking for later in the year, plan around a 30-day stay and check this page before you fly.

Thailand visa types for Indians

Source: Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi.

Thailand visa fees for Indians (2026)

All fees below are the official embassy fees in INR. Agents and visa services charge more on top.

Visa exemption entry: free. TDAC: free.

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Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

The TDAC is mandatory for all foreign arrivals and replaces the old paper TM6 card.

• Where: tdac.immigration.go.th, the official portal

• Cost: Free

• When: Submit from 3 days before your arrival date. Thai Immigration's official notice states foreigners must submit arrival card information 3 days in advance of arrival.

• What you get: A QR code. Screenshot it and save it offline, because airport wifi is unreliable and you will need it at immigration.

• Who needs it: Every traveller, including infants. One submission per person.

Warning: only use tdac.immigration.go.th. Several paid lookalike sites charge for what is a free government service.

One more thing worth knowing. If you end up staying in Thailand longer than 90 days, you must notify the nearest Immigration office in writing about your place of stay, and repeat that every 90 days.

How to apply for a Thailand e-visa from India

Use this only if you need more than the exemption allows: a longer stay, multiple entries, or a non-tourist purpose.

1. Go to thaievisa.go.th, the only official portal. e-Visa has been live for India since 1 January 2025.

2. Create an account and select your visa category.

3. Upload documents: passport bio page, photo, itinerary, accommodation, financial proof, purpose-specific documents.

4. Pay the fee online (see table above).

5. Track the application in your account.

6. Receive the e-visa by email. Print it and carry it.

Processing time: Thailand's MFA does not publish a guaranteed processing time. Visa agencies and applicants typically report 10 to 15 working days for a single-entry tourist e-visa, and the embassy may request an interview or extra documents, which restarts the clock. Apply at least 3 to 4 weeks before you travel.

There is no visa sticker in your passport with e-Visa. The approval is electronic and emailed to you.

Documents required

For visa-exemption entry (most tourists):

• Passport valid 6+ months beyond arrival

• TDAC QR code

• Confirmed return or onward ticket within the permitted stay

• Hotel booking or accommodation address

• Proof of funds if requested

Additionally for an e-visa application:

• Recent passport-size photograph meeting portal specs

• Recent bank statements. The e-Visa portal specifies the required period for your visa category at the point of application.

• Day-by-day itinerary

• Employment or business proof

• Category-specific documents (admission letter, employment contract, medical letter)

Proof of funds: what you actually need to show

Thai immigration can ask you to show funds at the border. Officers run these checks randomly, and Thailand issued a public reminder about it in July 2026.

• How much: THB 10,000 per person, or THB 20,000 per family.

• What counts: Thai Baht, an equivalent amount in another currency, or documents evidencing payment of an equivalent amount. You are not required to carry the whole sum as physical cash.

Children under 12 are exempt from this requirement.

Practical advice: carry some cash regardless. A card that gets declined at an immigration counter is a bad place to discover a problem, and officers move faster when you can simply show notes. Keep booking confirmations and payment receipts accessible on your phone as backup.

Can you extend your stay?

Visitors entering under the visa exemption can normally apply for a 30-day extension at a Thai Immigration office before their permitted stay expires. Extensions are granted at the discretion of the Immigration Bureau and carry a fee. Confirm the current amount at immigration.go.th or your nearest Immigration office, as fees are revised periodically.

Note that under the original May 2026 VOA proposal, extensions were to be prohibited entirely. Since India now appears headed for 30-day exemption instead, extension rules may differ. Check before relying on an extension.

Common reasons Indians get refused entry

• No confirmed return or onward ticket

• Passport under 6 months validity

• No TDAC submitted

• Unable to show proof of funds

• No accommodation booking

• Previous overstay on the record

• Immigration suspicion of intent to work. The crackdown on illegal employment is the stated reason behind the 2026 rule changes.

Sources

• Source: Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi, fee schedule effective April 2026. Verified 16 August 2026.

• Thailand e-Visa official portal: https://thaievisa.go.th

• Thailand Digital Arrival Card portal: https://tdac.immigration.go.th

• TAT Newsroom. Cabinet approves updated visa measures, pending Royal Gazette publication: https://www.tatnews.org/2026/07/thai-cabinet-approves-updated-visa-measures-pending-royal-gazette-publication/

• KPMG GMS Flash Alert 2026-209. Thailand revised visa exemption and VOA rules: https://kpmg.com/xx/en/our-insights/gms-flash-alert/2026/flash-alert-2026-209.html

• The Nation Thailand. Thailand revamps visa rules: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/policy/40068630

This guide is for general information. Visa rules change without notice, so always confirm with the Royal Thai Embassy or the official e-Visa portal before booking.