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Thailand visit visa: visa-free for Indians
Good news for Indian travellers: as of the latest official position, you can enter Thailand visa-free for up to 60 days for tourism or short business, extendable by 30 days. You still must complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card before you fly. Thailand has been reviewing this scheme, so confirm the current rule before you book. For longer stays there is the e-Visa.
Data current as of June 2026
What you need to visit Thailand
For most Indian travellers, Thailand is one of the easiest and most popular destinations. For a short trip you do not need a visa, but you do need to complete one free online form, and you should check the current rule first.
As of the latest official position from the Royal Thai Embassy, Indian ordinary passport holders can enter Thailand visa-free for up to 60 days for tourism or short-term business, and the scheme remains effective until further announcement. You can extend this once by 30 days at a Thai immigration office, for up to 90 days in total. The one requirement everyone must meet is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, the TDAC, a free online form submitted within 72 hours before arrival.
Thailand has been reviewing how long Indians can stay visa-free, so this can change at short notice. If you need to stay longer than 60 days, or to work or study, you apply for an e-Visa or the Destination Thailand Visa before you travel. This page is a full guide: the current visa-free rule, the mandatory TDAC, the e-Visa and DTV options, the fees, the documents, and the process. We always confirm the live rule for your travel dates.
Thailand’s entry rules are under review
Thailand has been reviewing its visa exemption scheme, and there has been public discussion of changes to how long Indians can stay visa-free. Here is the honest picture.
Confirm before you book
As of the latest official position, the 60-day visa exemption for Indian ordinary passport holders remains in effect until further announcement. A review has been discussed, and any change would take effect after it is formally published. Because this can move at short notice, confirm your exact entry category with the Royal Thai Embassy or the official e-Visa portal before you book flights, and consider an e-Visa for certainty.
Source: Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi (newdelhi.thaiembassy.org), and the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs e-Visa portal (thaievisa.go.th), current as of June 2026. The 60-day visa exemption for Indian ordinary passport holders for tourism and short-term business remains effective until further announcement. Thailand has discussed revising the scheme, and any change takes effect once formally published. Always confirm the current rule before you travel.
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The TDAC: three things to know
Whether you are visa-free or on a visa, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card is mandatory. It is the single step most travellers forget, and airlines check it before you board.
Mandatory
Every non-Thai traveller must complete it, including children. No TDAC can mean denied boarding.
Free
There is no fee on the official site, tdac.immigration.go.th. Beware scam sites that charge.
Within 72 hours
Submit it online within 72 hours, or 3 days, before you arrive. You get a QR code to show at immigration.
Source: Thai Immigration Bureau TDAC portal (tdac.immigration.go.th) and the Royal Thai Embassy, current for 2026. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is mandatory for all non-Thai nationals arriving by air, land, or sea, is free on the official site, and must be submitted within 72 hours before arrival. It is not a visa. Airlines check it at boarding. Use only the official site, as fraudulent copycat sites exist. Rules can change, so confirm before you travel.
How 60 days can become 90
The visa-free entry is 60 days, but you can extend it once. Here is the simple maths of how long you can stay.
+
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Source: Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi, and Thai immigration guidance, current for 2026. The visa-free entry allows up to 60 days, and you can apply once for a 30-day extension at a Thai immigration office before your stay ends, for a fee of 1,900 baht, giving up to 90 days in total. The extension is assessed and not guaranteed. Overstaying is a serious offence with daily fines. Rules can change, so confirm before you travel.
If you know in advance you want longer than this, a tourist e-Visa or the Destination Thailand Visa is the better route. We help you choose based on your plans.
Do you need a visa for Thailand?
Most Indian tourists do not need a visa for a short trip right now. This quick guide shows when the visa-free entry is enough and when you need an e-Visa.
Not sure which path is yours?
Get a free assessment and we will confirm whether you are visa-free or need an e-Visa for your Thailand trip.
If you need a visa: e-Visa or DTV
If the visa-free entry does not fit your trip, there are two main routes for Indian travellers. Here is when each one makes sense.
- Best for
- A longer holiday, or certainty before you fly
- Stay
- Up to 60 days, extendable once by 30 days
- Entry
- Single or multiple entry
- Cost
- Single about 3,000 to 3,500 rupees, multiple higher
- Where
- Online at thaievisa.go.th, about 2 weeks
- Best for
- Remote workers, freelancers, certain activities
- Stay
- Up to 180 days per visit, 5-year validity
- Entry
- Multiple entry
- Cost
- About 10,000 baht
- Note
- Needs a large bank balance held for months
Source: Thai e-Visa portal (thaievisa.go.th) and the Royal Thai Embassy, current for 2026. The tourist e-Visa allows up to 60 days, single or multiple entry, extendable once by 30 days, while the Destination Thailand Visa is a five-year multiple-entry visa allowing up to 180 days per visit, for remote workers and certain activities, and requires a large bank balance held for several months. Fees were revised in April 2026 and can change, so confirm before you apply.
Need a visa rather than visa-free entry?
Get a free assessment and we will recommend the e-Visa, the DTV, or the right route for your trip.
Thailand visit options compared
The ways to visit Thailand differ in stay, cost, and where you apply. This table compares the main ones for Indian travellers.
| Option | How you get it | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free entry | On arrival, current scheme | Up to 60 days |
| 30-day extension | Thai immigration office | 30 more days |
| Tourist e-Visa | Online at thaievisa.go.th | Up to 60 days |
| Destination Thailand Visa | Online, long-stay route | 180 days per visit |
| TDAC | Free, all travellers | Required either way |
Source: Royal Thai Embassy and the Thai e-Visa portal (thaievisa.go.th), current for 2026. Visa-free entry covers up to 60 days under the current scheme, extendable once by 30 days, the tourist e-Visa up to 60 days, and the Destination Thailand Visa up to 180 days per visit. The TDAC is free and required on every route. None of the visit options allow paid work. The visa-free scheme is under review. Confirm current details before you travel.
For most Indian tourists the visa-free entry plus the TDAC is all you need right now. We confirm the right option for your trip.
Documents you need for Thailand
Even visa-free, an officer can ask to see a few key documents. This table shows what to have ready at the airport.
| Document | Who needs it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | All travellers | Valid 6 months, 2 blank pages |
| TDAC QR code | All travellers | Submitted free within 72 hours before arrival |
| Return or onward ticket | All travellers | Confirmed, within your stay, never one-way |
| Proof of accommodation | All travellers | Booking covering your stay |
| Proof of funds | All travellers | 10,000 baht per person, 20,000 per family |
| Printed e-Visa | e-Visa holders | Carry a printed copy |
Source: Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi, the Thai Immigration Bureau, and the e-Visa portal (thaievisa.go.th), current for 2026. The passport must be valid at least six months with two blank pages, the TDAC is mandatory and free, and travellers should carry a confirmed return or onward ticket within their stay, accommodation proof, and proof of funds, commonly stated as 10,000 baht per person or 20,000 per family. A one-way ticket can lead to denied boarding. Confirm the current checklist before you travel.
Carrying these documents, and never a one-way ticket, keeps your arrival smooth even on visa-free entry. We build and check your full document set so nothing is missing.
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Thailand visit costs
Visa-free entry and the TDAC cost nothing. You only pay if you need a visa or an extension. The table shows the main charges as a guide.
| Charge | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free entry | Free | No visa fee for a short visit |
| TDAC | Free | No charge, submitted online |
| 30-day extension | 1,900 baht | At a Thai immigration office |
| Tourist e-Visa | About 3,000 to 17,000 rupees | Single to multiple entry |
| Destination Thailand Visa | About 10,000 baht | Long-stay route |
Source: Thai e-Visa portal (thaievisa.go.th) and the Royal Thai Embassy, current for 2026. Visa-free entry and the TDAC are free, the 30-day extension is 1,900 baht, the tourist e-Visa is commonly around 3,000 to 3,500 rupees single entry and higher for multiple entry, and the Destination Thailand Visa is about 10,000 baht. Consular fees were revised in April 2026. Fees are non-refundable, and the rupee cost depends on the exchange rate. Amounts can change, so confirm before you apply.
For a short visit your only real cost is the trip itself, since the entry and the TDAC are free. We give you a clear, current cost picture if you do need a visa.
The process, from booking to arrival
Visiting Thailand runs in three simple phases. The ribbon below shows what to do before you fly, at the airport, and after you arrive.
- Confirm the rule. Check the current visa-free status, or apply for an e-Visa if you need one.
- Get your documents. Passport valid 6 months, return ticket, accommodation, funds.
- Submit the TDAC. Free, online, within 72 hours before arrival, and save the QR code.
- Show the TDAC. Airlines check it at boarding, so have the QR code ready.
- Carry your proof. Return ticket, accommodation, and funds for the officer.
- Clear immigration. An officer checks your documents and stamps your entry.
- Note your last day. Know your permitted stay and do not overstay.
- Extend if needed. Apply once for 30 more days before your stay ends.
- Enjoy Thailand. Explore within your permitted stay and purpose.
Source: Royal Thai Embassy, the Thai Immigration Bureau (tdac.immigration.go.th), and the e-Visa portal (thaievisa.go.th), current for 2026. Travellers confirm the current rule, prepare documents, and submit the TDAC within 72 hours before arrival, then show it at boarding and clear immigration, where an officer decides entry. The 30-day extension is applied for before the stay ends. A visa or visa-free status does not guarantee entry. Confirm current details before you travel.
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Thailand visit dos and donts
Visa-free travel is easy, but a few simple mistakes still cause problems, and checks are stricter now. These dos and donts keep your arrival smooth.
Do the right things
- Confirm the current entry rule before you book.
- Submit the free TDAC within 72 hours before arrival.
- Carry a confirmed return ticket within your stay.
- Carry proof of funds, ideally some in cash.
- Keep your passport valid 6 months with 2 blank pages.
- Apply for an e-Visa early if you need a longer stay.
Do not do these
- Do not assume visa-free means no paperwork.
- Do not travel on a one-way ticket.
- Do not skip the TDAC or use copycat sites.
- Do not make too many back-to-back visa-free trips.
- Do not work on a tourist entry.
- Do not overstay your permitted days.
Source: Royal Thai Embassy, the Thai Immigration Bureau, and the e-Visa portal, current for 2026. The TDAC is mandatory and free, a confirmed onward ticket and proof of funds are checked, and frequent back-to-back visa-free entries can be refused. Working on a tourist entry and overstaying are serious offences. Rules can change, so confirm current details.
What you can and cannot do
A visit, visa-free or on an e-Visa, lets you do plenty as a tourist or short business visitor, within clear limits. Here is what is and is not allowed.
You can
- See the Grand Palace and temples of Bangkok.
- Relax on the beaches of Phuket and Krabi.
- Island-hop around Koh Samui and Koh Lanta.
- Explore the mountains and markets of Chiang Mai.
- Attend meetings and conferences on a short business visit.
- Extend your stay once before it ends.
You cannot
- Take up paid employment in Thailand.
- Study a long program on a visit.
- Work remotely long term without the right visa.
- Stay beyond your permitted days without extending.
- Rely on frequent visa-free entries to live there.
For work you need a Non-Immigrant B visa and a work permit, remote work suits the Destination Thailand Visa, and study needs an education visa. We explain the rules and the right path for your plans.
Source: Royal Thai Embassy and the Thai e-Visa portal (thaievisa.go.th), current for 2026. A visit, whether visa-free or on a tourist visa, is for tourism and short business only and does not allow paid work, which needs a Non-Immigrant B visa and work permit. Remote work for foreign clients suits the Destination Thailand Visa, and study needs an education visa. Overstaying is a serious offence. Rules can change, so confirm current details.
Stay, extension, and the rules
A visit is a short stay, with one extension possible. This table explains the stay, extension, and entry rules for Indian travellers.
| Item | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free stay | Up to 60 days | Current scheme, under review |
| Extension | 30 more days | Once, 1,900 baht, before your stay ends |
| Maximum total | 90 days | 60 plus the 30-day extension |
| e-Visa stay | Up to 60 days | Single or multiple entry |
| TDAC | Always required | Free, within 72 hours before arrival |
Source: Royal Thai Embassy and Thai immigration guidance, current for 2026. The visa-free entry allows up to 60 days under the current scheme, extendable once by 30 days for up to 90 days in total, and the tourist e-Visa allows up to 60 days single or multiple entry. The TDAC is always required. The visa-free scheme is under review. Rules can change, so confirm before you travel.
The visit is for short stays, not for settling. If you want to work, study, or stay longer, a separate visa is needed. We explain the rules and the right path for your plans.
What officers look for at the border
Visa-free entry is easy, but checks are stricter now, and an officer at the airport still decides whether to admit you. Arriving prepared, with the TDAC done and your documents ready, is what keeps it smooth.
Common reasons for being refused entry or boarding include a passport with less than six months validity, no completed TDAC, a one-way or unconfirmed onward ticket, no proof of accommodation for the full stay, weak proof of funds, or too many recent visa-free entries. Travelling for work on a tourist entry is another. Many issues can be avoided with the right preparation.
As of the latest official position, Indians can enter Thailand visa-free for up to 60 days for tourism or short business, extendable once by 30 days for up to 90 days, and this remains effective until further announcement. The free Thailand Digital Arrival Card is mandatory within 72 hours before arrival. For longer or other stays you apply for an e-Visa or the Destination Thailand Visa. The scheme is under review, so confirm the current rule, and an officer still decides entry.
Factual overview, verified against the Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi (newdelhi.thaiembassy.org), the Thai Immigration Bureau (tdac.immigration.go.th), and the Thai e-Visa portal (thaievisa.go.th), current as of June 2026. The visa-free window, the TDAC rule, fees, and stay periods are set by the Thai authorities and can change at any time. Entry is decided by an immigration officer.
Meeting the requirements keeps your arrival smooth, but the final decision rests with the Thai authorities and the officer at the checkpoint. We give you a realistic view, confirm the live rule, and help you arrive fully prepared.
Speak with BestMigrationConsultant.com about your Thailand visit
Our immigration experts guide Indian travellers through visiting Thailand, from the visa-free entry and the mandatory TDAC to the e-Visa and DTV options, the fees, and the documents, and we confirm the live rule for your dates. Call +91-7670800002 or visit BestMigrationConsultant.com, and start with a free assessment today.