Since 15 September 2026, Indian passport holders can enter Thailand without a visa for up to 30 days, with an optional 30-day extension; the old 60-day visa-free entry has ended [1][2]. If you plan to stay longer than that, you need a visa, and the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) or a tourist visa are the usual routes.
What changed for Indian passport holders
| Before 15 September 2026 | From 15 September 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free stay on entry | Up to 60 days | Up to 30 days [1] |
| Extension | Subject to the old 60-day rule | One optional 30-day extension, about 60 days at most |
| Category | Visa-free entry (60-day scheme, now ended) | 30-day visa exemption [1][2] |
| Entering by land | Not applicable | No more than twice per calendar year under the 30-day exemption [1] |
| Visa on arrival for India | India was proposed for visa on arrival in the May announcement [4] | No. India is on the 30-day exemption list, not the visa on arrival list [1] |
| Staying longer than 30 days (+30) | Tourist visa or other visa | Tourist visa (SETV or METV) or DTV |
The change was approved by Cabinet, published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026 and took effect on 15 September 2026 [1]. If you enter Thailand through a land-border checkpoint under the 30-day exemption, you can generally do so no more than twice per calendar year; arrivals by air are not affected by this limit [1].
Visa-free, tourist visa or DTV: which should an Indian traveller use?
| 30-day visa exemption | Single-entry tourist visa (SETV) | Multiple-entry tourist visa (METV) | DTV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stay | Up to 30 days [1], +30-day extension | 60 days per entry [3] | 60 days per entry [3] | Up to 180 days per entry [3] |
| Validity | Per entry | 3 months, single entry [3] | 6 months [3] | 5 years [3] |
| Money you show | None for entry | 20,000 THB (Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai); 500,000 INR (New Delhi) | 20,000 THB (Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai); 400,000 INR (New Delhi) | 500,000 THB, held 3 months |
| Government fee | None at entry; extension 1,900 THB | 3,000 INR [3] | 13,500 INR [3] | 30,000 INR [3] |
| Where to apply | Not applicable | Thai embassy or consulate in India | Thai embassy or consulate in India | The embassy or consulate covering your country of citizenship or legal residence |
| Processing time | Not applicable | 2 to 8 weeks, depending on the embassy | 2 to 8 weeks, depending on the embassy | 2 to 8 weeks, depending on the embassy |
For the DTV, you must show a fully paid round-trip ticket when you apply at the India missions. Your DTV application must be in your country of citizenship or legal residence, and each embassy has different requirements for proof of residency. Check your embassy's requirements on Issa Compass and apply with confidence.
Our service fee and the government fee are always separate figures. Our DTV service fee is Free (DIY), 3,000 THB (Plus) or 10,000 THB (Full Service). Government and embassy fees are never refundable.
Frequently asked questions
How long can Indian citizens stay in Thailand without a visa in 2026?
Up to 30 days from 15 September 2026, with an optional 30-day extension [1][2]. The earlier 60-day visa-free entry no longer applies. If you arrive by land, you can use the exemption no more than twice per calendar year [1].
Did Thailand introduce visa on arrival for Indians?
No. A May 2026 announcement had India on the visa on arrival list [4], but the lists published in the Royal Gazette moved India to the 30-day visa exemption. Visa on arrival remains only for Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia [1].
What if I want to stay in Thailand for 3 months or more?
Apply for a tourist visa before you travel, or the DTV if you meet the savings and qualifying-activity requirements.
Do I need to apply for a visa exemption in advance?
We do not process visa exemption entries, because there is nothing to file. Check the rules before you fly, and complete your Thailand Digital Arrival Card online within 3 days before arrival.
Which visa is best for a long stay from India?
It depends on your savings, work and plans. Try our find-my-visa tool, or book a consultation.
References
- Thailand introduces new 30-day and 15-day visa exemption rules from 15 September (tatnews.org)
- The revision of Thailand's visa exemption and VoA schemes, 2026 (for ordinary passport) Effective from 15 September 2026 (newdelhi.thaiembassy.org)
- Visa (newdelhi.thaiembassy.org)
- Summary: The revision of Thailand's visa exemption and VoA schemes, 2026 (image.mfa.go.th)