Thailand is a place that speaks for itself. When you hear the name, you’re probably already thinking about beaches, shopping, beauty, wildernesses, and some mouthwatering Thai food! And your thoughts are spot on.

But do we need visa for Thailand? This will be answered in this article.

A trip can turn out exactly as you want it to be when it is planned properly, and you are prepared with the must-have Thailand visa for Indians. Read on to know everything about Thai visa and requirements to get one.

Yes, Indian tourists who wish to visit Thailand must apply for a visa. To do so, you can either apply offline through a Thai embassy in India or avail of a visa-on-arrival when you land in Thailand.

Additionally, if you are travelling as a tourist for a stay of less than 60 days, you will get visa-free entry, and the visa is extendable to another 30 days. 

Note: Thailand has announced indefinite visa-free entry for Indian tourists for a stay of up to 60 days. However, if you still wish to apply for a visa, you can do so, as the standard visa application process is still fully functional.

Yes, there is a visa-on-arrival in Thailand for Indian citizens. Indians travelling to Thailand for reasons such as tourism, business, education, etc., can apply for a visa-on-arrival and stay in the country for a maximum of 15 days.

You need to meet the following requirements to apply for a visa-on-arrival:

• The passport must be genuine and should be valid for at least 6 months.

• You must have a valid address in Thailand, whether a hotel or apartment, that can be verified.

• You must have a confirmed return ticket to show that they are flying out of Thailand within 15 days of entry, as appropriate. Open tickets do not qualify.

• It is also necessary to prove that you have funds of at least 10,000 THB per person and 20,000 THB per family for your stay in Thailand.

• A fee of 2,000 THB  (INR 4,460) is payable upon entry and is subject to change without notice. It must be paid in cash and in Thai currency only.

No, travel insurance is not mandatory for visiting Thailand from India. However, it’s highly advisable to get one. Beyond medical emergencies, Thailand travel insurance offers protection against the unexpected—whether it’s delayed flights, cancellations, or lost baggage.

With travel insurance, you’re not just safeguarding your health, but also your peace of mind, making your adventure smoother and stress-free.

For stays under 15 days, you can utilize the Thailand on-arrival visa for Indian tourists. However, if your stay exceeds 15 days, you must apply for a regular Tourist Visa in advance

If you are flying to Thailand and need to apply for a visa, don’t forget to carry all the following necessary documents:

Passport:

Passport or travel document with validity of no less than 6 months.

Visa Application Form:

Duly filled out visa application form for Thailand.

Photograph:

One recent Photograph of the applicant 45mm X 35mm in size.

Round-Trip Air Ticket:

Round-trip air ticket or e-ticket (paid in full).

Accommodation Proof:

Hotel booking or a local address as proof of accommodation.

Invitation Letter:

Letter of invitation (as proof of relationship if visiting family or friends).

Financial Proof:

Proof of financial means (10,000 baht per person/20,000 baht per family) 

If you are travelling as a tourist for a stay of 60 days, you will get visa-free entry.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced indefinite visa-free entry for Indian tourists for stays of up to 60 days. Regardless, the standard visa application process is still fully functional.

If you are travelling to Thailand for a duration of less than 15 days, then you can also apply for a visa-on-arrival.  

The visa fee is 2,000 THB for a single entry and is to be paid in cash only. The visa-on-arrival application process is very straightforward and can be accomplished quickly upon your arrival in Thailand.

Check Your Eligibility for Thailand Visa-on-Arrival:

Ensure that your travel plans fit within the visa-on-arrival rules, including a maximum stay of 15 days, and that you hold a valid Indian passport with at least six months' validity.

Gather the Required Documents for Thailand Visa-on-Arrival:

Before your trip, prepare necessary items like your passport, passport-sized photo (4x6 cm), completed visa-on-arrival form, proof of your return ticket, accommodation bookings, and 2000 THB in cash for the visa fee.

Proceed to the Visa-on-Arrival Counter Upon Arrival at Thailand Airport:

Upon landing at one of Thailand’s designated entry points, proceed to the Visa-on-Arrival counter. These counters are available at major airports in Thailand such as:

• Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok)

• Don Mueang International Airport

• Phuket International Airport

• Chiang Mai International Airport

Submit Your Application and Pay the Thailand Visa-on-Arrival Fee:

Submit your completed visa-on-arrival form along with your passport, photo, and supporting documents. Pay the visa fee of 2000 Baht in cash. Be prepared to show proof of your onward travel and accommodation bookings if requested.

Collect Your Thailand Visa for Indians:

Once your application is processed (which usually takes 30-45 minutes), your passport will be returned with the Visa-on-Arrival stamp. This visa is valid for a single entry with a maximum stay of 15 days.

Proceed for Immigration Check:

Proceed to the immigration counter, where your passport and visa will be checked. Once cleared, you can enjoy your stay in Thailand.

Note: For more detailed and up-to-date information, always refer to the official Thai Immigration website or check with the Royal Thai Embassy before your trip.

Though Thailand is offering visa-free entry to Indians, if you still want to learn about their visa application process for future requirements, you can apply for a standard Thailand tourist visa from India. Below is the step-by-step process:

Visit the VFS Global Website to Apply for Thailand Visa:

Start by visiting the official VFS Global website. Select the type of visa you need (in this case, a Tourist Visa) and choose the relevant Thai Embassy in India that you wish to apply through.

Download and Fill the Application Form for Thailand Tourist Visa for Indians:

Once you’ve selected the visa type, download the application form from the website. Fill in all the required details, print it out, and sign the form. Ensure that the information you provide is accurate to avoid any delays in processing.

Schedule an Appointment Walk-In at Nearest Thailand Visa Application Centre:

You can either schedule an appointment through the VFS Global website or opt for a walk-in submission at the nearest Visa Application Center. Prepare your completed form along with all the required supporting documents (like passport, photos, and travel bookings).

Submit Documents and Pay Thailand Visa Fees for Indians:

Visit the Visa Application Center to submit your application. Once your form and documents are verified, you will need to pay the visa fees:

• ₹2,500 for a Single Entry Tourist Visa.
• ₹12,000 for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa.
  Please note that additional service charges may apply.

Track Your Thailand Visa Application:

After submission, you can track the status of your visa application online. Once your visa is approved, you can either collect your passport in person or have it sent to you via courier.

The processing time for Thailand’s visa is approximately 7 working days. For those opting for the Visa on Arrival, it typically takes 30-45 minutes to process the visa at the airport upon arrival.

• Make sure you have your passport (valid for at least 6 months), confirmed hotel bookings, and return flight tickets.

• While travel insurance isn't mandatory, it’s highly recommended for covering medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost luggage.

• Carry enough Thai Baht and be aware of local exchange rates. Credit cards are widely accepted, but small vendors may prefer cash.

• Stay hydrated, especially if you're travelling during the hot months. Vaccinations for diseases like Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended before travel.

If your Thailand visa application is rejected, the Thai Embassy or Consulate will usually provide a reason for the refusal. While the visa fee is non-refundable, you can address the reason for rejection and re-apply, provided that the issue can be corrected.

Ensure All Documents Are Correct:

Double-check that your passport has at least six months’ validity and that all documents (application form, photos, and travel itinerary) are filled out correctly.

Meet Financial Requirements:

Provide evidence of sufficient funds for your stay, which is often a minimum of 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family.

Apply in Advance:

Avoid last-minute rushes by applying well before your travel date. This gives you time to correct any issues if they arise.

Follow Application Instructions:

Carefully read the instructions provided by the embassy or VFS Global to ensure you’re submitting the right documents and fees.

Yes, you can extend your Thailand visa while in the country. Tourists on a 30-day Visa on Arrival can apply for a 30-day extension at a local Thai Immigration Office. The extension typically costs 1,900 THB. 

Ensure you apply before your visa expires to avoid overstay penalties, which can be steep in Thailand. Be prepared to submit your passport, a visa extension application form, and a recent photograph during the process.

Now after you have all the information about how to get a Visa for Thailand, we come to the most important part which is a ‘Travel Insurance’. We know most of you don’t even consider it an important part of your travelling checklist but believe us, you need one in Thailand; considering Bangkok is one of the top ten scam cities in the world. So, well, anything can happen!

You should have a Thailand travel insurance policy to protect yourself from unforeseen circumstances such as:

• Huge foreign country’s medical bills
  
• Protection of your luggage
  
• Safety in case of emergency medical situations

Check out the below-mentioned benefits we give you with Travel Insurance to Thailand:

Adventure Activities Covered:

Our coverage includes activities such as bungee jumping, skydiving, etc. (provided the duration is one day)

Smartphone-enabled claims process:

It’s all smart with a smartphone-enabled claim process. No paperwork, no running around. Just upload your documents when you make a claim.

Missed Call Facility:

Give us a missed call, and we’ll call you back in 10 minutes. No more international calling charges!

Immediate Monetary Compensation for Flight Delays:

If your flight is delayed, we give you monetary compensation to ease your inconvenience.

Worldwide Support:

We’ve partnered with the world’s largest health & travel insurance network Allianz, to support you seamlessly across the globe. T&C apply*