Visa Requirements for Thailand for Indian Citizens (November 2026)

Thailand has long been a favourite for Indian travellers, from beach holidays in Phuket and Krabi to city breaks in Bangkok. In recent years, Thailand has made the trip even easier by letting Indian citizens in without a visa for tourism. Here is what you need to know before you pack.

Visa-free entry for Indians

Thailand added India to its visa exemption scheme, allowing Indian passport holders to enter for tourism without applying for a visa in advance. The permitted length of stay has been adjusted more than once as Thai authorities review their tourism policies, so check the current limit with the Royal Thai Embassy or the Thai immigration website before you travel.

Visa-free entry covers tourism, short business meetings and visiting friends. It does not cover work, long-term study or other activities that need a specific visa.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card

All foreign visitors must now complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before arrival. It replaced the old paper TM6 form. Fill it in within the three days before your flight lands, using the official government site. It is free. Ignore any website that asks for payment.

Documents to carry

• A passport valid for at least six months from your entry date
• A confirmed return or onward ticket within your permitted stay
• Proof of accommodation, such as hotel bookings
• Proof of funds, which immigration officers may ask to see
• Your TDAC confirmation

Not every traveller is asked for every document, but officers can refuse entry if you cannot show them.

Extending your stay

Visitors who entered visa-free can usually apply once for an extension at a Thai immigration office, for an additional period and a fee. Do not overstay. Fines are charged per day and serious overstays can lead to bans on future entry.

Longer stays and other visas

If you want to stay longer, Thailand offers several options:

• Tourist visa: applied for through the Thai e-Visa system for longer holidays.
• Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): for remote workers, freelancers and people joining activities such as Muay Thai or cooking courses.
• Non-immigrant visas: for business, work, study or family reasons.
• Long-Term Resident visa: for wealthy individuals, retirees and skilled professionals.

Arrival tips

• Have printed or downloaded copies of bookings ready at immigration.
• Carry some Thai baht or a working international card on arrival.
• Expect queues at Suvarnabhumi and Phuket airports in peak season.
• Respect local laws, including strict rules on vaping and drugs.

Frequently asked questions

Do Indians still get a visa on arrival in Thailand?

Visa-free entry has made visa on arrival largely unnecessary for Indian tourists. Policies change, so confirm before travelling.

Can I work remotely on visa-free entry?

Not officially. The DTV is designed for remote workers.

How to check the rules yourself

Entry rules connected to Thailand for Indian Citizens can change with little notice, and third-party websites are often months out of date. The most reliable approach is to check three sources in order: the official immigration or visa portal of the country you are visiting, the website of its embassy or consulate in your country of residence, and your airline's travel document checker, which uses the same database airport staff rely on at check-in. If the three disagree, follow the strictest one and contact the embassy directly. Do this two to three weeks before departure, then once more a few days before you fly.

Final word

Thailand is one of the easiest international trips for Indian citizens. Fill in the TDAC, carry your documents and check the current stay limit before you fly.