Do Indians need a visa for Thailand?
No — not for a normal holiday. Since the visa-exemption scheme was extended to Indian passport holders, you can enter Thailand for tourism and stay up to 60 days without any visa, and there is no fee. This makes Thailand one of the easiest international trips for Indians to plan. You only need to complete one free online form (the TDAC) before you fly, and carry the usual proof of onward travel and funds.
A paid Tourist Visa (TR) only becomes necessary if you want to stay beyond what the exemption (plus its 30-day extension) allows, or for non-tourism purposes. Planning the rest of your trip? See our Thailand travel guide and Thailand trip cost guide.
The TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) — don't skip it
Since 2025, every traveller to Thailand — including Indians on visa-free entry — must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). It is free, online, and must be submitted within 72 hours before departure on the official Thailand Immigration Bureau website or app. Airlines may check it at boarding, so treat it as a required step, not an optional one. Save the confirmation on your phone.
Extending your stay
If 60 days isn't enough, you can extend once by 30 days at any Thai immigration office for about 1,900 THB (~₹4,500). Bring your passport, a photo and the form they provide. For stays beyond that, you'll need the Tourist Visa (TR) route below.
Tourist Visa (TR) — for longer stays
The Tourist Visa allows 60 days per entry and is applied for in advance. As of 2026, a single-entry TR costs about ₹2,500 and a multiple-entry TR about ₹12,500, with processing of roughly 14 working days. You'll need a passport valid 6+ months, photos, proof of funds and onward tickets. Most Indian tourists won't need this — the free 60-day exemption covers a standard holiday.
What to carry on arrival
- Passport valid at least 6 months.
- Your submitted TDAC confirmation.
- Confirmed return/onward ticket.
- Proof of accommodation and sufficient funds (immigration can ask).
Travel insurance isn't mandatory for visa-free entry but is strongly recommended — see our travel insurance guide.
How to fill the TDAC, step by step
The TDAC takes about five minutes: open the official Thailand Immigration Bureau site/app (avoid lookalikes), enter your passport and personal details, your flight and arrival date, your accommodation address in Thailand, and a few health/travel-history questions. Submit it within 72 hours before departure, then save or screenshot the confirmation. One TDAC is needed per traveller (including children). Run through the broader paperwork with our visa checklist so nothing's missed at the airport.
Overstay, extensions & re-entry
Don't overstay: Thailand charges a daily overstay fine (500 THB/day, capped at 20,000 THB), and serious overstays can lead to bans. If you need more time, extend by 30 days at an immigration office before your stamp expires (~1,900 THB). Frequent back-to-back visa-free entries by land are scrutinised, so for repeated long stays the Tourist Visa (TR) is the cleaner route. Always check your arrival stamp date on entry — that, not your flight, is what counts.
Real applicant scenarios
Typical holidaymaker (≤60 days): no visa at all — just complete the free TDAC within 72 hours of departure and carry proof of onward travel and funds. Long-stay traveller: if you'll exceed the 60-day exemption plus its 30-day extension, apply for the Tourist Visa (TR) in advance. Frequent border-hopper: repeated back-to-back land entries draw scrutiny, so a TR is the cleaner route. For the vast majority of trips, the exemption plus the TDAC is all you need.
Step-by-step
- Confirm your trip is ≤60 days for tourism — if so, you need no visa.
- Book return flights and accommodation.
- Within 72 hours of departure, complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online and save the confirmation.
- Carry your passport (6+ months), TDAC, return ticket and proof of funds.
- On arrival, get your 60-day visa-exemption stamp.
- Need longer? Extend +30 days at an immigration office (~₹4,500), or apply for a Tourist Visa (TR) before travel.
Cost summary
| Visa-free entry (≤60 days) | ₹0 |
|---|---|
| TDAC (mandatory arrival card) | Free |
| 30-day extension (optional) | ~1,900 THB (~₹4,500) |
| Tourist Visa TR — single entry | ~₹2,500 |
| Tourist Visa TR — multiple entry | ~₹12,500 |
| Travel insurance (recommended) | from ₹500 |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the TDAC — it's mandatory and checked at boarding.
- Assuming you still need a paid visa on arrival — the free 60-day exemption replaced it for tourism.
- Carrying a passport with under 6 months validity.
- No proof of onward ticket or funds — immigration can ask.
- Overstaying the 60 days without extending — daily overstay fines apply.
- Confusing the visa exemption (free, 60 days) with the Tourist Visa (paid, for longer stays).
Alternatives compared
| Route | Best for | Stay | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa exemption | Standard holiday | 60 days (+30 ext.) | Free (ext. ~₹4,500) |
| Tourist Visa TR (single) | Longer single trip | 60 days/entry | ~₹2,500 |
| Tourist Visa TR (multiple) | Multiple visits | 60 days/entry | ~₹12,500 |
| Visa on arrival | Edge cases only | 15 days | ~₹2,400 (obsolete) |
Final recommendation
For a typical Indian holiday, do nothing more than complete the free TDAC before you fly — the 60-day visa exemption covers you at zero cost, and you can extend by 30 days on the ground if needed. Only consider the paid Tourist Visa (TR) if you're staying beyond ~90 days or visiting repeatedly. Keep your passport valid for six months, carry proof of onward travel and funds, and confirm the current rules on Thailand's official immigration site before you go. Beyond entry, plan the rest of the trip: carry a <a href="/travel-planning/forex-card-guide/">forex card</a> and compare <a href="/travel-planning/currency-exchange-guide/">currency exchange</a> rates, stay online with a <a href="/travel-planning/best-travel-esim/">travel eSIM</a>, pack via our <a href="/tools/packing-checklist/">packing checklist</a>, plan your arrival with the <a href="/travel-planning/airport-transfer-guide/">airport transfer guide</a>, read the <a href="/travel-planning/travel-safety-guide/">travel safety guide</a>, and browse <a href="/visa-guides/">other visa guides</a>.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Thailand in 2026?
No, not for tourism up to 60 days — Indians get a free visa exemption. You only need to complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before flying.
How long can Indians stay in Thailand without a visa?
Up to 60 days on the visa exemption, extendable once by 30 days at a Thai immigration office for about 1,900 THB (~₹4,500).
What is the TDAC and is it mandatory?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is a free online form every traveller must submit within 72 hours before departure. It is mandatory and may be checked at boarding.
Is visa on arrival still needed for Indians?
No. With a free 60-day exemption, the 15-day visa on arrival is effectively obsolete for tourists.
How much does a Thailand tourist visa cost for Indians?
If you need the Tourist Visa (TR) for a longer stay: about ₹2,500 single-entry and ₹12,500 multiple-entry, processed in roughly 14 working days.
Do I need travel insurance for Thailand?
It isn't mandatory for visa-free entry but is strongly recommended for medical cover.