Thailand Visa FAQs for Indians: 25 Questions Answered

The rules changed twice in 2026, which is why the same questions keep coming up. Here are 25 of them, answered from the Royal Thai Embassy, the Consulates-General and VFS Global, as published on the official sources, checked on 2026-10-15. For a full overview, see our Thailand visa guide for Indians.

Can you enter Thailand without a visa?

Q1. Is Thailand visa-free for Indians now?

Yes, for short trips. Indian ordinary passport holders may stay up to 30 days for tourism or short-term business, from 15 September 2026 until further announcement.

Q2. What happened to the 60-day exemption?

It ended. The Consulate-General in Kolkata's January 2025 guideline described a 60-day exemption, but the revised scheme effective 15 September 2026 gives Indians 30 days.

Q3. Can I still get a visa on arrival?

No. Thailand's Visa on Arrival (15 days, THB 2,000) now covers only Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia. Indians use the visa exemption instead.

Q4. What is the TDAC?

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is a free online form at tdac.immigration.go.th. All passengers must complete it, and foreigners must submit it 3 days in advance of their arrival date.

Q5. Can I work while visiting visa-free?

No. The exemption covers tourism and short-term business. Foreigners are not allowed to work in Thailand unless they are granted a Work Permit.

When do you need a visa, and where do you apply?

Q6. When is a Thai visa necessary?

When you plan to stay longer than 30 days, or travel for a purpose the exemption does not cover, such as study, employment or retirement.

Q7. How do I apply?

Online at www.thaievisa.go.th. Since 1 January 2025 all applicants in India apply there. The e-Visa covers every visa type except the Privilege Entry Visa for Thailand Elite members.

Q8. Can VFS or a travel agent apply for me?

Yes. You can apply yourself or through processing companies such as VFS Global, BLS International or DU Digital, or travel agents. The Embassy is not responsible for incomplete applications filed by representatives. Note that VFS put acceptance at its Bengaluru centre on hold from 6 August 2026.

Q9. Which Thai mission handles my state?

The one covering where you are located. Mumbai covers Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Chennai covers Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Karnataka and Puducherry. Kolkata covers West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andaman & Nicobar, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. The Embassy in New Delhi covers the north and north-east, including Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Assam.

Q10. Must I be in India while the e-Visa is processed?

Yes. Thai visas are issued only to applicants physically present in India throughout the process. Upload proof of current location, such as a house agreement, Aadhaar card or monthly electricity bill.

What do Thai visas cost and how long do they take?

Q11. How much is each visa?

These Embassy rates apply at the Embassy and all Consulates-General from 27 April 2026:

Q12. Why does a VFS page show lower fees?

The VFS Chennai page read on 10 October 2026 still showed INR 2,500 and INR 12,500 for tourist visas. The Embassy's 15 April 2026 announcement applies the new rates at every mission from 27 April 2026, so budget for those.

Q13. How do I pay the Embassy?

The Embassy accepts no cash. Pay by bank transfer or UPI to its DBS Bank account, or by cash deposit at a DBS branch, then email the slip and the Payment Info Summary to thaievisa.del@gmail.com. Consulates-General publish their own payment options. VFS adds a service charge of INR 500 if you use it.

Q14. Is the visa fee refundable?

No. Embassy checklists state visa fees are non-refundable in all circumstances, including when an e-Visa application is withdrawn.

Q15. How long does processing take?

Approximately 14 working days from the date the Embassy receives the fee payment. Kolkata also quotes about 14 working days from the fee receipt, and the fee must be paid within 14 days of submitting a complete application.

Which documents trip up Indian applicants?

Q16. How much bank balance is needed?

The Kolkata tourist checklist asks for a six-month statement with a minimum balance equivalent to USD 700 per person or USD 1400 per family. For a multiple-entry tourist visa, VFS Kolkata lists a six-month statement showing Rs. 400,000. Chennai says the balance must reflect consistently for six months.

Q17. What photo does the e-Visa portal accept?

A colour photo, 630 x 810 pixels, ICAO standard, with the face filling 80-85% of the frame on a plain white background, taken within 6 months, as JPG/JPEG up to 3 MB.

Q18. What booking proof is expected?

The general checklists ask for a copy of a confirmed return ticket and a confirmed accommodation reservation in your name, or an invitation letter with the host's ID if you stay with relatives or friends.

Q19. What is the most common form mistake?

Names. Enter your given name and surname exactly as in the passport and leave the middle-name field blank, the Embassy's 'common mistakes' note says.

Q20. Is a phone copy of the e-Visa enough?

No. The granted e-Visa arrives by email. Print it and show it to the airline at check-in and to Thai immigration on arrival; copies on phones are not accepted.

What are the long-stay options for study, work and retirement?

Q21. What is the Destination Thailand Visa?

A five-year multiple-entry visa allowing up to 180 days per entry, for INR 30,000. It suits digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers and people joining activities such as Thai boxing, cooking classes or medical treatment.

Q22. How do I get a student visa?

Apply for a Non-immigrant ED visa: INR 7,000 single entry, 90 days stay. You need the institution's acceptance letter, a payment slip for at least the first semester's tuition and a bank statement (at least 6 months for ED Plus).

Q23. How do I get a work visa?

Apply for a Non-immigrant B (Employment) or IB visa at INR 7,000. Your Thai employer provides an invitation letter, a signed contract and WP.3 from the Department of Employment, or a BOI approval letter. You also need a work permit.

Q24. Is there a retirement visa?

Yes, the Non-immigrant O-A for applicants over 50, valid 1 year at INR 13,500. Show THB 800,000 in the bank or THB 65,000 monthly income, plus health insurance of at least USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000.

Q25. What is the LTR visa?

A 10-year visa run by the Board of Investment for wealthy global citizens, wealthy pensioners, work-from-Thailand professionals and highly skilled professionals. The Embassy fee is INR 140,000, and BOI gives its endorsement result within 20 working days of complete documents.

Planning a trip to Thailand? Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files, with packages from INR 1,000 for a flight reservation to INR 3,000 for a reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Can one Thai e-Visa account be used for my whole family?

Yes. One account at thaievisa.go.th can file up to 10 applications at a time for you and your family, and it can be reused later. Each traveller still needs a separate application and fee.

Is travel insurance compulsory for a Thai tourist visa?

Travel insurance is not listed as mandatory on the VFS or Embassy pages for tourist visas, though VFS offers it as an option. The retirement O-A visa does require health insurance of at least USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000.

How do I check my Thai e-Visa status?

Log in to your account at thaievisa.go.th to track the status. The granted e-Visa is sent to you by email and must be printed.

Where is the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi?

At 56-N Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021. Consular services are by appointment only, and the consular section can be reached on +91 11 2419 7156.