Thailand visa free for Indians – Post 11 November 2024 Update

Thinking of a tour to Thailand to enjoy beaches and lush green scenery but got stuck in the tedious process of visa. You are at the correct place; in this article, you will get to know everything about the Thailand visa, Thailand visa on arrival, Thailand visa fees, Thailand visa photo size, and whether it is visa-free for Indians or not. You will get everything that will make your journey stress-free. Let’s dive into the process.

Is Thailand visa-free for Indians?

Indians generally need a visa to visit Thailand. You can either apply offline through a Thai embassy in India or obtain a visa-on-arrival when you land in Thailand.

Update: 1 November 2024 

Clarification on Visa-Free Policy for Indian Travelers: Visa Free After November 11, 2024

Our team reached out to the Royal Thai Embassy to clarify a common misconception regarding the visa-free policy for Indian travelers. Some travelers believed that the visa exemption would end on November 11, 2024. However, the Embassy has confirmed the following:

New Visa-Free Travel for Indian Tourists (Starting July 15, 2024 – up until further notice)

The Royal Thai Government now allows Indian tourists to visit Thailand without a visa! This means that if you have an Indian passport, you can stay in Thailand for up to 60 days without applying for a tourist visa. This policy is for travel related to tourism, business, or short-term work and will continue until further notice.

Important Information:

• No Visa Needed: Indian travelers no longer need to apply for a tourist visa or Visa-on-arrival.
• Documents to Show: When you arrive, you might need to show:
  • A ticket for your flight leaving Thailand,
  • Confirmation of your hotel or place to stay, and
  • Proof of money (it’s best to carry at least 20,000 THB in cash).
• Easy Arrival: You can go directly to the Immigration counter without filling out extra forms, uploading a photo, or paying any visa fees.

Passport Validity

Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your travel date and does not expire during your trip.

Other useful links –
https://www.mfa.go.th/en/content/thailandnewvisa-en?cate=5d5bcb4e15e39c306000683e
https://newdelhi.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visa

 

If you wish to visit Thailand apart from tourism then you need to apply for the Visa according to your purpose of visit.

Types of visa:

Tourist visa for Indians

1. Its primary purpose is tourism and leisure. This visa will serve your purpose if you go on holiday or tourism. It allows you to stay for 60 days or less. This can be obtained at the Thai embassy or upon arrival to Thailand.

Single-Entry Tourist Visa: Valid for three months, allows a stay of up to 60 days.

Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa: Valid for six months, allows multiple entries with each stay up to 60 days.

Requirements for Tourist Visa:

• Passport with a validity of not less than six months
• The visa application form was filled out and signed
• A recent photograph (4×6 cm) of the applicant
• Evidence of travel in and out of Thailand (air ticket receipt paid in full)
• Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person (approx. 45,000 rs) or 40,000 Baht per family)
• Visa fee paid in full
• Evidence of accommodation booking

Visa on arrival for Indians

The purpose of visas is short-term tourism. It allows staying for 15 days and is available only at designated immigration checkpoints in Thailand. These are the points in Thailand where you can get your visa, e.g., border crossings, airports, and seaports.

Requirements:

• Valid passport (at least 30 days validity from the date of arrival)
• Completed Visa on Arrival application form
• Recent passport-sized photograph
• Confirmed return flight ticket (within 15 days)
• Proof of accommodation
• Visa fee (THB 2,000, payable in Thai Baht only)
• Proof of sufficient funds (THB 10,000 per person or THB 20,000 per family)

Non-Immigrant Visa

Purpose

Business, education, employment, marriage, etc.

Types:

• Non-Immigrant Visa B: For business or work purposes.
• Non-Immigrant Visa ED: For educational purposes.
• Non-Immigrant Visa O: For family visits, volunteering, or retirement.
• Non-Immigrant Visa OA: For retirement (applicable to those aged 50 and above).

Requirements (General):

• Valid passport (at least six months validity)
• Completed visa application form
• Recent passport-sized photograph
• Proof of purpose of visit (e.g., business invitation, admission letter, employment contract)
• Financial proof (varies based on the visa type)
• Visa fee (varies based on the type of visa)

Additional Requirements (Specific to Visa Type):

• Business visa: A business letter or invitation from a Thai company and proof of financial stability.
• Education visa: Admission letter from a recognized Thai educational institution.
• Employment visa: Employment contract, approval letter from the Thai Ministry of Labor.
• Retirement visa: Proof of financial means (bank statement, pension details), health insurance (for long-term stay).

How to apply for a visa?

You can apply from the Royal Embassy office, or you can apply online.

Normal passport holders can apply for Thai visas online by submitting their documents to the following companies: VFS Global, BLS International, DU Digital Global.

We hope this article has cleared your doubts regarding the Thailand Visa. Stay tuned for the new articles that will make your trip a smooth one!