Thailand E-Visa for Indians Update : On May 19, 2026, Thailand's Cabinet approved a full restructuring of its entry system, ending the 60-day visa-free scheme. India has been moved from the visa-free list back to the Visa on Arrival category — the allowed stay drops from 60 days to 15 days, and a fee of 2,000 THB (approx. ₹5,000) applies at the airport counter.
Thai authorities cited security concerns, illegal employment, and overstays as the primary reasons behind the rollback. For Indian nationals, the Thailand e-visa for Indians and the visa on arrival are now the two official entry routes. The changes will be effective 15 days after publication in Thailand's Royal Gazette.
Why Thailand is Revising its Visa Policy
The 60-day visa-free entry was introduced in July 2024 to accelerate tourism recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic. Arrivals have stabilized since. Thailand's government now wants tighter control over immigration, visitor tracking, and tourism management — and the 60-day scheme no longer aligns with that direction.
Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow chairs Thailand's Visa Policy Committee, which will review visa classifications for individual countries on an ongoing basis.
Thailand's New Visa Categories — Where India Stands?
Under the revised rules, India has been placed in the Visa on Arrival category, one of only four countries globally to receive this classification.
- Visa on Arrival: India, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia.
- 30-day visa-free entry: 54 countries, including the US, UK, Australia, and most of Europe.
- 15-day visa-free entry: a newly introduced category for Seychelles, Maldives, and Mauritius.
How This Change Impacts Indian Travelers
Thailand is one of the most traveled destinations from India. Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi — year after year, these cities draw a large number of Indian tourists, keeping India among the top source markets for Thailand tourism.
This Thailand visa update 2026 marks the biggest shift in entry rules the country has seen in recent years. The latest Thailand travel advisory for Indian tourists flags this as the most significant change to plan around before booking a trip.
Revised Thailand Visa Process for Indians
The revised Thailand visa policy update now adds a step to that journey. Indian travelers heading to Thailand will need to either apply for a Thailand e-visa for Indians before they fly or process a visa on arrival once they land. Thai immigration authorities recognize both as official entry routes.
Thailand E-Visa — Apply Before You Travel
The Thailand e-visa application is processed through Thailand's official portal — thaievisa.go.th. Once submitted, it will be approved within a few working days and the visa is sent to your registered email. Approval generates a QR code — show this to the airline at check-in and to the immigration officer on landing.
Carry a printout or save it on your phone and present at immigration upon arrival.
Travelers applying during peak season: December, January, & Songkran Festival in April, are advised to apply well in advance given higher application volumes during those periods.
Visa on Arrival — At the Airport
No prior application needed. Indian travelers complete the entire process at the immigration counter after landing. However, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) needs to be filled before boarding — it replaced the old paper arrival forms in May 2025 and must be completed prior to departure, not at the airport.
The Visa on Arrival fee is 2,000 THB, payable in Thai Baht cash only — exchange currency before joining the immigration queue.
Thai immigration authorities at major airports, including Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok and Phuket International, handle both routes. Wait times at Visa on Arrival counters, however, tend to run longer during peak travel periods compared to e-Visa holders who clear immigration faster.
Documents Required — For Both Routes
The Thailand visa rules for Indians require the following documents regardless of which entry route is chosen:
- Valid Indian passport: minimum six months validity from date of travel
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Confirmed return flight tickets
- Hotel booking or accommodation proof
- Bank statement showing sufficient funds
How Long Can Indians Stay in Thailand
With the 60-day window gone, visa on arrival gives 15 days per entry for short trips.
For those planning more time in Thailand, the Thailand tourist visa applied through the e-Visa portal before departure allows a stay of 30 days or more, depending on the category approved. Indian digital nomads and remote workers planning longer trips should look at the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) specifically thats allows upto 180 days of stays— it has become the go-to option for long-stayers in 2026.
How New Visa Policy Affects Indians Already in Thailand
Indians currently in Thailand are not affected by the new rules. Thai authorities have confirmed that foreign nationals already in the country will be permitted to stay until their existing permitted period expires, regardless of when the new rules officially come into force.
The same applies to travelers who enter Thailand before the Royal Gazette publishes the new measures. Their entry will be processed under the current rules, and their stay period will remain valid.
