Thailand Visa for Indians: The Current 2026 Rules
Indian passport holders currently enter Thailand visa-free for up to 60 days. See the approved 30-day change, TDAC steps and official links before travel.
The rule in force now
As of 16 August 2026, Indian ordinary passport holders can still visit Thailand without a visa and may receive a stay of up to 60 days. The exemption covers tourism and short business visits. It remains in force until Thailand's approved replacement scheme becomes effective.
This is easy to misread because Thailand announced two revisions in 2026. The May proposal did not become the final rule for Indian travellers. On 14 July, the Cabinet approved a different arrangement: 30 days of visa-free entry for Indian tourists, with India's overlapping visa-on-arrival category removed. The new arrangement begins only 15 days after the Ministry of Interior announcement is published in the Royal Gazette.
The Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi is the best page to check before booking and again before departure. It states both the approved change and the trigger for its effective date.
Already planning Bangkok? Browse things to do in Bangkok after checking the entry rule for your dates.
What this means for your trip
For a typical holiday, you do not apply for a visa or pay a visa fee. Travel with the documents below and complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC).
The length of stay depends on your arrival date:
| When you enter | Rule to follow |
|---|---|
| Before the new scheme's effective date | Current visa exemption; up to 60 days |
| From the new scheme's effective date | Approved visa exemption; up to 30 days |
| Staying longer or travelling for another purpose | Apply for the appropriate e-visa before travel |
Do not choose visa on arrival as a backup. Under the approved July package, India remains visa-exempt and is removed from the visa-on-arrival list. If you need a visa, use the official Thai e-visa service.
Documents to carry
Keep these ready at airline check-in and immigration:
- Your passport. Check that it is valid for your trip and has an undamaged identity page.
- A return or onward ticket. It should fall within the stay allowed on your arrival date.
- Accommodation details. Save the address and booking for your first stay.
- Your TDAC confirmation. A saved copy is useful if airport Wi-Fi is slow.
- Evidence you can pay for the trip. Immigration may ask about your plans or funds even when entry is visa-free.
Visa-free entry is permission to travel to the border, not a guarantee of admission. Answer questions simply and keep your bookings easy to open.
Complete the TDAC for free
The TDAC is an arrival declaration, not a visa. Submit it on the official Thai immigration website within the three days before arrival, including the day you land.
You will enter your passport details, travel information and accommodation address. The form is free. Each traveller, including a child, needs an entry; the site lets a family submit travellers together. You do not need a TDAC if you remain airside and never pass through Thai immigration.
Our step-by-step TDAC guide explains the timing, family form and common mistakes.
When you need an e-visa
Apply for the correct e-visa if you plan to stay longer than the exemption permits or if tourism and short business do not cover your visit. Use only the official Thai e-visa portal and follow the document list for the category you select.
Avoid treating a quoted processing time or fee as permanent. Both depend on the visa type and the embassy handling the application. Apply with a buffer, and do not buy a non-refundable ticket until you understand the conditions for your stay.
Common mistakes
- Repeating the May headline as the final rule. The July decision changed the position for India.
- Assuming the approved 30-day rule started immediately. The embassy says it starts 15 days after the relevant Royal Gazette publication.
- Planning to buy a visa on arrival. India remains in the approved visa-exemption group instead.
- Paying for the TDAC. The government form is free; paid sites are intermediaries.
- Checking the rule only when booking. Recheck close to departure because the effective date can change the stay you receive.
Plan the rest of the trip
Once the entry rule is clear, continue with:
- Things to do in Thailand
- Things to do in Bangkok
- Thailand trip cost from India
- Bangkok travel guide for Indian travellers
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, under the rule still in force on 16 August 2026. Indian ordinary passport holders can enter Thailand without a visa for tourism or short business visits and may receive up to 60 days. Thailand has approved a replacement 30-day exemption, but it starts only 15 days after the relevant notice appears in the Royal Gazette. Check the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi before you fly.
Yes. Thailand's Cabinet approved a 30-day visa exemption for Indian tourists on 14 July 2026. The embassy says it will begin 15 days after the Ministry of Interior notice is published in the Royal Gazette. Until that effective date, the current 60-day exemption continues.
Do not plan around visa on arrival. The July 2026 package keeps India in the visa-exemption group and removes India's overlapping visa-on-arrival eligibility when the new rules begin. For a normal holiday, use the exemption in force on your travel date. For a longer or different type of stay, apply for the appropriate Thai e-visa.
Visa-exempt entry costs nothing. If your trip is longer than the visa-free period or has another purpose, the fee depends on the visa category. Check the amount shown by the official Thai e-visa service when you apply rather than relying on an old price quoted by an agent or blog.
Yes. Every non-Thai traveller must submit the free TDAC online within the three days before arrival, including the arrival date. Each child needs an entry, although families can submit together. Airside transit passengers who do not pass through immigration do not submit it.
