Indian travellers planning a trip to Thailand may now have to rethink their travel budgets and plans. Thailand has officially ended the 60-day visa-free entry scheme for Indian citizens and moved India back to the Visa on Arrival (VoA) category.
Under the revised rules, Indian tourists will now be allowed to stay in Thailand for only 15 days under the Visa on Arrival system and will also need to pay a visa fee upon arrival.
According to reports, Thailand’s Foreign Ministry approved the revised visa exemption and Visa on Arrival regulations on May 19 as part of a broader restructuring of its international travel policies.
Indians No Longer in Visa-Free List
India has now been removed from Thailand’s visa-free access list and placed under the Visa on Arrival category alongside countries such as Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia.
Previously, Indian citizens could enter Thailand without a visa and stay for up to 60 days. The move was introduced in phases after the Covid-19 pandemic to revive Thailand’s struggling tourism sector.
Now, Indian travellers will once again need to apply for Visa on Arrival at Thai airports before entering the country.
The revised rules mean:
Maximum stay limited to 15 days
Visa fee of 2,000 Thai Baht (around ₹6,000)
Mandatory Visa on Arrival processing at entry points
Additional documentation requirements
Why Thailand Tightened Visa Rules
Thailand had initially introduced relaxed visa policies in November 2023 to boost tourism recovery after the pandemic severely impacted the country’s economy.
Tourism contributes more than 10 percent to Thailand’s GDP, making foreign visitors crucial for economic recovery. In July 2024, Thailand had further expanded the visa-free stay for Indian tourists from 30 days to 60 days.
However, Thai authorities later raised concerns over misuse of the relaxed entry system.
According to reports, Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul stated that some foreign nationals were allegedly exploiting the visa-free scheme for illegal activities.
Authorities reportedly investigated cases linked to:
Drug-related crimes
Sex trafficking
Illegal business operations
Running hotels and schools without proper permits
The government eventually decided to tighten immigration controls and revise its visa policies.
Only 54 Countries Now Get Visa-Free Access
Thailand will now provide 30-day visa-free entry to citizens of only 54 countries, including:
United States
United Kingdom
Australia
Japan
Singapore
Several European nations
Meanwhile, special reciprocal visa exemption arrangements have also been introduced for select countries.
These include:
90-day reciprocal visa exemption: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, South Korea
30-day reciprocal visa exemption: China, Russia, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan
14-day reciprocal visa exemption: Cambodia and Myanmar (air travel only)
India is currently not part of any reciprocal visa exemption agreement with Thailand.
Travel Costs Likely to Increase
The revised policy is expected to increase travel expenses for Indian tourists visiting Thailand.
Earlier, Indian travellers could visit Thailand without paying any visa fees and remain in the country for extended periods. With the return of Visa on Arrival rules, travellers may now face:
Higher travel costs
Additional airport processing time
Shorter vacation durations
More paperwork and documentation
The decision could particularly impact budget travellers, backpackers, and long-duration tourists who frequently chose Thailand as an affordable international destination.
Despite the tighter visa norms, Thailand is expected to remain one of the most popular overseas travel destinations for Indian tourists, especially for cities such as Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, and Krabi.
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