Indian holidaymakers frequently search for a Thailand visa for Indians because entry policies have changed several times in recent years. As of the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi’s update dated 21 May 2026, Indian ordinary passport holders continue to receive a 60-day visa exemption for tourism and short-term business engagements until further notice. That wording matters: the scheme remains subject to official change, so travellers should verify it again before departure.
Visa-free entry does not mean document-free travel. Immigration officers can still ask about your passport, accommodation, onward journey, purpose of visit and ability to support the trip. Every non-Thai traveller must also complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before arrival. This guide explains the current process without treating an entry privilege as a guaranteed right.
Do Indians Need a Visa for Thailand?
For an ordinary Indian passport holder making a short tourism visit, the current official position is a visa exemption for up to 60 days. The most reliable source is the visa page of the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi, which states that the exemption remains effective until further announcement.
Do not confuse visa exemption with Visa on Arrival or an e-Visa. They are different immigration routes. A visa-exempt traveller normally does not purchase a tourist visa in advance for an eligible stay. An e-Visa may be needed when the purpose, passport type or intended duration falls outside the exemption. The final decision to admit a traveller is made at the border.
Thailand Visa Exemption versus e-Visa
Visa exemption
This is the current route for eligible Indian ordinary passport holders visiting for tourism or qualifying short-term business purposes within the permitted period. There is no visa application to submit beforehand under the exemption, but immigration and arrival-card requirements still apply.
Thai e-Visa
Thailand introduced its e-Visa system in India from January 2025. Travellers who require a visa can use the official Thai e-Visa website to check eligibility, choose the correct category, upload supporting documents, pay the applicable fee and receive a decision electronically. Never assume that a tourist visa is suitable for employment, study or another purpose.
Documents to Carry for Visa-Free Entry
Official requirements and airline checks can change, but a well-prepared leisure traveller should keep the following documents accessible in paper or reliable offline form:
- Indian passport with adequate validity and undamaged pages
- Confirmed return or onward travel booking
- Hotel confirmations covering the stay
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card confirmation
- Travel itinerary and local contact details
- Evidence of funds appropriate to the trip
- Travel insurance policy and emergency contact information
- Documents for children, where relevant
The Tourism Authority of Thailand advises foreign visitors to hold a passport with at least six months’ validity and proof of onward travel. Check with the airline as well, because boarding staff must confirm that passengers appear eligible for entry.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card for Indians
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card, commonly called TDAC, is not a visa. It replaces the older paper arrival card. Thailand’s Immigration Bureau says all non-Thai nationals entering by air, land or sea must submit it online before entry, with an exception for travellers who remain in transit without passing through immigration.
Use only the official TDAC portal. The official guide says the card can be submitted within three days before arrival, including the arrival date. Travellers provide passport, personal, journey, accommodation and required health-declaration information. Each entry requires its own TDAC, and children also need one.
TDAC information checklist
- Passport details exactly as printed
- Flight number and arrival date
- Address of the first accommodation in Thailand
- Travel purpose and recent travel information where requested
- Working email address for the confirmation
Review spellings carefully. The official system permits certain updates before travel, but core identity details may require a fresh submission when entered incorrectly. Download the confirmation and keep it available offline.
How Much Does the Thailand Visa Cost for Indians?
Eligible visa-exempt tourists do not pay a tourist visa fee for the exempt entry itself. This does not make the entire arrival process cost-free: flights, insurance, document printing and any professional assistance remain separate travel expenses.
If a traveller needs an e-Visa because the visit falls outside the exemption, the fee depends on the selected visa category and official rules at the time of application. Check the amount inside the official e-Visa process before payment. Visa fees are normally separate from agency documentation charges and may be non-refundable after processing begins.
How Long Can Indians Stay in Thailand?
The current embassy notice describes a visa-exempt stay of up to 60 days for eligible visits. “Up to” should not be interpreted as an automatic entitlement in every situation. The entry stamp or electronic immigration record governs the authorised stay, so check it immediately after arrival.
Do not overstay. Travellers who want to remain longer or change their purpose should obtain advice from the Thai Immigration Bureau or an authorised Thai mission before the permitted stay ends. A holiday exemption must not be used as permission to work.
Arrival Process at a Thai Airport
- Follow signs to immigration after leaving the aircraft.
- Keep the passport, TDAC confirmation and hotel details ready.
- Answer questions about the trip truthfully and briefly.
- Check the permitted stay recorded by immigration.
- Collect baggage and proceed through customs.
- Use a verified transfer, official taxi queue or public transport.
Bangkok has two major airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang. Confirm the airport code before arranging a pickup or connecting flight. A transfer between the two airports can take considerable time in traffic.
Special Situations Travellers Should Check
Children travelling with parents
Each child needs an individual passport and TDAC. Carry relationship and consent documents where applicable, particularly when a minor travels with one parent or another adult. Airlines may have their own document requirements.
One-way tickets
A one-way ticket can lead to questions about onward travel. Leisure visitors should normally carry a confirmed booking showing departure within the authorised period.
Long stays or non-tourism purposes
Study, employment, remote-work arrangements and long stays may require another visa category. Use the official e-Visa eligibility tool or contact the Thai Embassy rather than relying on advice intended for short holidays.
Common Thailand Entry Mistakes
- Using an unofficial paid TDAC website
- Submitting the arrival card too early
- Entering a nickname instead of the passport name
- Assuming visa-free entry guarantees admission
- Booking an onward flight from the wrong Bangkok airport
- Carrying hotel screenshots without readable dates or guest names
- Ignoring passport damage or insufficient validity
- Relying on a policy screenshot from several months earlier
Planning the Rest of Your Thailand Holiday
Once documents are clear, build a route suited to the available time. Bangkok plus Phuket or Krabi works well for a first six- or seven-night visit. Longer holidays can add Chiang Mai or another island without turning every second day into a transfer.
Use Roameaze’s Thailand packages for itinerary ideas, and read the Roameaze homepage when requesting a customised plan. Package prices should always state whether flights, baggage, hotels, transfers, meals and sightseeing are included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Is Thailand visa-free for Indians right now?
Answer: Yes, the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi stated in its 21 May 2026 update that the 60-day visa exemption for Indian ordinary passport holders remains effective until further announcement. Verify the page again before travelling.
Question: Is TDAC the same as a Thailand visa?
Answer: No. TDAC is a digital arrival card required for non-Thai nationals. It does not grant a visa or replace a visa when one is required.
Question: When should Indians complete TDAC?
Answer: The official system accepts submissions within three days before arrival, including the arrival date. Use the Thai Immigration Bureau portal only.
Question: Do children need a Thailand Digital Arrival Card?
Answer: Yes. The official TDAC guidance says children and infants require a submission. Group filing can make family submissions easier.
Question: Can Indians work during a visa-exempt holiday?
Answer: A tourism exemption should not be treated as work permission. Travellers intending to work or undertake another regulated activity must check the correct visa and authorisation.
Plan Your Holiday with Roameaze
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Travellers searching for the best travel agency in India deserve honest guidance and responsive support. Roameaze helps you plan the complete journey without forcing you into a standard package.
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