🇹🇭 Thailand · Visa Guide · Updated June 2026
Thailand Visa
for Indians 2026
The rules just changed. The 60-day visa-free period ended on May 19, 2026. Here's exactly what you need now — Visa on Arrival, Tourist e-Visa, and the mandatory TDAC digital card.
🛂 VoA: 15 days · ~₹5,900
💻 e-Visa: 60 days · ₹3,000
📱 TDAC: Mandatory · Free
⚠️
IMPORTANT CHANGE — MAY 19, 2026
Thailand's 60-day visa-free entry for Indians has
officially ended. The Thai Cabinet approved a full immigration overhaul on May 19, 2026 — India has been moved back to the
Visa on Arrival (VoA) category (15 days, ~₹5,900 in Thai Baht cash). For stays up to 60 days, apply for a
Tourist e-Visa online before travel (₹3,000, no airport queue). The
TDAC digital arrival card is now mandatory for all travellers regardless of visa type — complete it free at
tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours before your flight.
HOW LONG ARE YOU STAYING? — PICK YOUR OPTION
EASIEST · MOST POPULAR
Visa on Arrival
Up to 15 days · on the spot at airport
~₹5,900
THB 2,000 cash at immigration counter
BEST FOR 5–60 DAY TRIPS
Tourist e-Visa
Up to 60 days · apply online before travel
₹3,000
Single entry · official Thai e-Visa portal
REMOTE WORKERS · LONG STAYS
Destination Thailand Visa
Up to 180 days per entry · 5 year validity
₹30,000
Multiple entry · online via Thai MFA portal
Visa on Arrival — best for 5–10 day Bangkok trips. Collected at the immigration counter at Suvarnabhumi (BKK), Don Mueang (DMK), Phuket, Chiang Mai, and other major entry points. Pay THB 2,000 (~₹5,900) in Thai Baht cash only — some counters accept cards but cash is safer and faster. Bring 1 passport-size photo (4×6 cm). Queue at BKK can be 30–60 minutes during peak hours. Cannot be extended for tourism — you must exit Thailand before 15 days.
Tourist e-Visa (TR) — best for week-long to 2-month trips. Apply online at
thaievisa.go.th before departure. Single-entry: ₹3,000. Multiple-entry: ₹13,500 (fee revised April 27, 2026). Processing: 3–5 working days normally. Grants 60 days per entry, extendable once at any Thai immigration office for 30 more days (THB 1,900 / ~₹4,400). No airport queue — just show your approval email at immigration. Best option for proper holidays and honeymoons.
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) — for digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers. 5-year validity, multiple entries, up to 180 days per visit (extendable once for another 180 days). Requires proof of remote work or freelance income. Fee: ₹30,000. Apply via the official Thai MFA e-Visa portal. Not suitable for standard holidays. For most Indian tourists, the Tourist e-Visa is the right choice.
📋
What Changed — Old vs New Rules
MAY 19, 2026
| Period | Entry Type | Duration | Fee | Notes |
|---|
| Before July 2024 | Visa on Arrival | 15 days | THB 2,000 (~₹4,600) | Original system |
| July 2024 – May 18, 2026 | 🟢 Visa-Free | 60 days | ₹0 | No fee, no queue, just arrive |
| May 19, 2026 onwards | Visa on Arrival | 15 days | THB 2,000 (~₹5,900) | CURRENT RULE + TDAC mandatory |
| Anytime (online) | Tourist e-Visa (TR) | 60 days | ₹3,000 | Apply before travel · recommended |
Why did Thailand end the 60-day visa-free? The Thai Cabinet cited security concerns, a spike in overstays, and a strategic shift toward "quality tourism." India is one of only four countries globally placed in the VoA category — alongside Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia. Thailand has not closed its doors to Indians; it has simply reverted to the pre-2024 system with an added online e-Visa option.
Good news: Most Indian Bangkok trips are 5–7 nights, which fits comfortably within the 15-day VoA window. For longer trips or to skip the airport queue, the Tourist e-Visa (₹3,000, 60 days) is the smarter choice.
⚖️
Your 3 Visa Options — Compared
| Feature | Visa on Arrival (VoA) | Tourist e-Visa (TR) | Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) |
|---|
| Stay Duration | 15 days | 60 days | 180 days per entry |
| Validity | Single entry | Single entry (or multiple at ₹13,500) | 5 years · multiple entry |
| Cost | ~₹5,900 (THB 2,000 cash) | ₹3,000 | ₹30,000 |
| Apply when? | On arrival at airport | Before travel · online | Before travel · online |
| Queue at airport? | Yes — 30–60 min at BKK | No — fast immigration lane | No |
| Extendable? | No | Yes — +30 days at ₹4,400 | Yes — +180 days |
| Passport photo needed? | Yes — 1 photo at counter | No | No |
| Processing time | Instant (at counter) | 3–5 working days | 5–10 working days |
| Best for | Spontaneous trips · under 12 nights | Planned trips · 5–60 days | Nomads · long stays |
| TDAC required? | ✓ Yes (all travellers) | ✓ Yes (all travellers) | ✓ Yes (all travellers) |
Factvisit recommendation: For a standard Bangkok trip (5–10 nights), apply for the Tourist e-Visa online before you fly. It costs ₹3,000, skips the 30–60 min airport queue, and gives you 60 days of flexibility. Only use the VoA if your trip was booked last-minute or if you're certain you'll be back in India within 15 days.
🛬
Visa on Arrival — Step by Step
AT BANGKOK AIRPORT
1
Complete TDAC online — before you fly
Visit
tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours before your flight. Free. Takes 5 minutes. You'll receive a QR code by email. Show it at check-in and at Thai immigration.
Airlines can deny boarding without a valid TDAC.
2
Prepare your VoA documents before landing
Have these ready in your bag before you land: passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages), 1 passport photo (4×6 cm, taken within 6 months), THB 2,000 cash for the fee, confirmed return ticket within 15 days, and hotel booking covering your full stay.
Carry THB cash — not USD or INR
3
Find the "Visa on Arrival" counter
At Suvarnabhumi (BKK), the VoA counter is in Terminal 1, Level 2, before the main immigration hall. At Don Mueang (DMK), it's on the arrivals level. Look for signs that say "Visa on Arrival" — it's a separate queue from normal immigration.
Queue: 30–60 min at peak times
4
Fill the VoA application form
Forms are available at the counter or in the queue waiting area. Fill in your details in block capitals in English. Attach your passport photo. Double-check your hotel address — officers may ask for it.
5
Pay THB 2,000 and collect your stamp
The officer will check your documents, take your photo and fingerprints, and stamp your passport. Fee is THB 2,000 (~₹5,900) — cash preferred, Thai Baht only. You'll receive a 15-day stamp. Your entry date is Day 1.
Process takes ~5 minutes at counter
Important: The VoA is limited to 15 days and cannot be extended for tourism. If you overstay, you'll be fined THB 500/day on departure, or detained if the overstay is significant. Keep a return ticket booked within 15 days from arrival.
💻
Tourist e-Visa — How to Apply
RECOMMENDED
The Tourist e-Visa (TR) is the smartest option for most planned Bangkok trips. ₹3,000, done online in 15 minutes, processed in 3–5 working days, no airport queue, 60 days of stay.
1
Go to the official Thai e-Visa portal
Visit
thaievisa.go.th — the only official government portal. Create an account with your email.
Avoid third-party sites that charge extra "service fees" — there is no legitimate need for an agent for a standard Tourist e-Visa.
2
Upload your documents
You'll need: passport scan (bio page, clear JPEG/PDF), digital passport photo (white background, 300×300 px minimum), flight itinerary (confirmed booking), hotel bookings covering your full stay, and bank statement showing at least THB 10,000 equivalent (~₹23,000) per person.
3
Pay the fee
Single-entry Tourist Visa: ₹3,000 (revised April 27, 2026). Multiple-entry: ₹13,500. Payment via credit/debit card. Fee is non-refundable if rejected. The government fee is fixed — if a site charges significantly more, it's a service agent, not the government portal.
₹3,000 · non-refundable
4
Wait for approval — 3–5 working days
You'll receive your visa approval by email as a PDF. Print a copy and save a digital copy — you'll show it at immigration along with your TDAC QR code. Apply at least 7–10 working days before travel to account for weekends and public holidays.
Email notification when approved
5
Extend if needed — inside Thailand
If you want more time, visit any Thai immigration office before your 60 days expire. Extension costs THB 1,900 (~₹4,400) for 30 additional days. Bring your passport, departure card (TM.8), and proof of accommodation. Popular offices: Chaeng Wattana (Bangkok), Phuket Immigration, Chiang Mai Immigration.
+30 days · THB 1,900 (~₹4,400)
📱
TDAC — The Mandatory Digital Arrival Card
ALL TRAVELLERS · FREE
TDAC is mandatory regardless of your visa type — VoA, Tourist e-Visa, DTV, or any other. It replaced Thailand's old paper TM.6 arrival card. Airlines at Indian airports actively check for your TDAC QR code at check-in. Missing it can result in denied boarding.
72h
Apply within 72 hours before
Not earlier. The window is strictly 72 hours before your scheduled arrival in Thailand.
🌐
Only at official portal
tdac.immigration.go.th — free. Ignore any paid sites claiming to offer TDAC submission.
5m
Takes 5 minutes
Enter passport details, flight number, accommodation address. Scan your MRZ code to auto-fill.
QR
Save the QR code
Received by email. Show at check-in and at Thai immigration. Print a backup copy.
What you'll need for TDAC: Passport number, nationality, date of birth, flight number, arrival date, Thailand accommodation address (hotel name + district + province). You can scan your passport MRZ (the bottom two lines of numbers and letters) to auto-fill most fields.
⚠️ Scam alert: Several websites charge ₹500–₹1,500 to "submit your TDAC." The official TDAC is completely free. Only use tdac.immigration.go.th — and note this is not the same as applying for a visa.
📁
Documents Checklist
🛬 Visa on Arrival Checklist
✓
Passport — valid 6+ months from entry · 2 blank pages
Must be the original — no photocopy
✓
TDAC QR code — completed within 72hr before flight
Print + digital copy both recommended
✓
1 passport photo — 4×6 cm, white background, taken within 6 months
Required at the VoA counter
✓
THB 2,000 cash — Thai Baht only for the visa fee
Roughly ₹5,900 · cash preferred over card
✓
Confirmed return ticket — within 15 days of arrival
Officers check the return date strictly
✓
Hotel booking — covering all nights of stay
Airbnb / hostel confirmation also accepted
✓
Proof of funds — THB 10,000 per person (~₹23,000)
Cash preferred · bank statement on phone may work
opt
Travel insurance — not mandatory but strongly recommended
Bumrungrad Hospital bills without insurance can be devastating
💻 Tourist e-Visa Checklist
✓
Passport scan — bio data page, clear JPEG or PDF
Valid 6+ months from intended return date
✓
Digital passport photo — white background, 300×300 px min
Taken within 6 months · no glasses, no headgear
✓
Flight itinerary — confirmed booking (return within 60 days)
Round-trip booking or onward ticket
✓
Hotel bookings — all nights covered
Can be a free-cancellation booking — just needs to be confirmed
✓
Bank statement — last 3 months showing THB 10,000+ equivalent
~₹23,000 per person · PDF format from net banking
✓
TDAC — still required at airport even with e-Visa
Complete within 72hr before travel at tdac.immigration.go.th
✓
e-Visa approval email — printed + digital copy
Show at check-in + at immigration
opt
Travel insurance — strongly recommended
Required for DTV; highly advisable for all trips
💰
Full Cost Breakdown
FEES EFFECTIVE APRIL 27, 2026
| Visa Type | Stay | Entry | Fee (₹) | THB fee | Where to Pay |
|---|
| Visa on Arrival (VoA) | 15 days | Single | ~₹5,900 | THB 2,000 | At airport immigration counter |
| Tourist e-Visa (TR) — single | 60 days | Single | ₹3,000 | ~THB 1,300 | thaievisa.go.th online |
| Tourist e-Visa (TR) — multiple | 60 days/visit | Multiple | ₹13,500 | — | thaievisa.go.th online |
| Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | 180 days | Multiple · 5yr | ₹30,000 | — | Thai MFA portal |
| TDAC (digital arrival card) | — | All travellers | ₹0 | Free | tdac.immigration.go.th |
| e-Visa extension (at immigration office) | +30 days | — | ~₹4,400 | THB 1,900 | Any Thai immigration office |
| Overstay fine | Per day | — | ~₹1,160/day | THB 500/day | Paid on departure |
Fee note: The Royal Thai Embassy revised consular fees on April 27, 2026, aligning charges with baht/rupee exchange rates. VoA fee (THB 2,000) was unchanged. Tourist e-Visa single-entry rose from ₹2,500 to ₹3,000. Multiple-entry rose from ₹12,500 to ₹13,500. Always verify current fees at
thaiembassy.in before applying.
❓
FAQ — Thailand Visa for Indians
Is Thailand visa-free for Indians in 2026?
No — not anymore. The 60-day visa-free facility for Indian passport holders was officially ended by the Thai Cabinet on May 19, 2026. Indians now need either a Visa on Arrival (15 days, ~₹5,900 at the airport) or a Tourist e-Visa applied for in advance (60 days, ₹3,000 online). The TDAC digital arrival card is also now mandatory for all travellers.
What is the TDAC and do I really need it?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is a mandatory pre-arrival online form that replaced the old paper TM.6 card. Every visitor to Thailand — regardless of visa type — must complete it at tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours before their flight. It's free and takes about 5 minutes. You receive a QR code by email that you show at Indian check-in and at Thai immigration. Airlines at Indian airports are actively checking for it — missing the TDAC can result in denied boarding.
Is the Visa on Arrival or e-Visa better for Indians visiting Bangkok?
For a planned trip of 5–10 nights, the Tourist e-Visa is better: it costs ₹3,000, takes 3–5 working days online, gives 60 days of stay, lets you skip the VoA queue (30–60 min at BKK airport), and is extendable by 30 more days. The VoA is better only if your trip was booked last-minute (under a week before travel) or is under 12 nights with certainty about the return date. VoA cannot be extended at all.
How much money do I need to show at Thailand immigration?
Thai immigration guidelines require proof of at least THB 10,000 per person (~₹23,000) or THB 20,000 per family (~₹46,000). Cash is preferred — keep some Thai Baht on you. A bank statement on your phone has worked for many travellers, but having the actual cash on arrival is the safest approach, especially given increased border scrutiny since the May 2026 rule change.
Can I extend my stay if I entered on a Visa on Arrival?
No — the VoA for tourists cannot be extended. You must exit Thailand before your 15-day stamp expires. If you overstay, you'll be fined THB 500 per day (~₹1,160/day) on departure. If you want a longer stay, apply for a Tourist e-Visa before your next trip — it gives 60 days and can be extended at a Thai immigration office for an additional 30 days (THB 1,900, ~₹4,400).
Which airports offer Visa on Arrival for Indians?
VoA is available at all major Thai international airports: Suvarnabhumi (BKK), Don Mueang (DMK), Phuket International (HKT), Chiang Mai International (CNX), Hat Yai (HDY), Krabi (KBV), and Samui (USM). It's also available at some land border crossings with Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar — though the queue and process can vary.
Do children need a separate TDAC and visa?
Yes — every individual traveller, including infants and children, requires their own TDAC submission. Children travelling on their own passport also need their own Visa on Arrival or e-Visa. Children listed in a parent's passport (some older Indian passports) may be handled together, but it's safest to check with the Thai Embassy for your specific case.
Is there a risk of being denied entry even with the right visa?
Entry is always at the discretion of Thai immigration officers. Since the May 2026 policy change, border officers have increased scrutiny on arrival requirements that were previously rarely enforced: confirmed return tickets (within 15 days for VoA), hotel bookings covering all nights, and proof of funds. Carry complete documentation even if you've visited Thailand many times. Booking a refundable return ticket before travel is the safest move.