visa
Thailand Visa-Free for Indians: 30-Day Stay from 15 September 2026
T
TripexSeptember 4, 202610 min readIndian passport holders can continue travelling to Thailand without obtaining a tourist visa in advance. Under Thailand's revised visa-exemption policy, Indian citizens travelling for tourism will be permitted to stay in Thailand visa-free for up to 30 days from 15 September 2026.
The Government of Thailand published the revised visa rules in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026. The new measures officially take effect from 15 September 2026.
The change reduces the previous visa-free stay entitlement from 60 days to 30 days. However, India remains on Thailand's visa-exemption list, meaning Indian tourists will still be able to travel to Thailand without applying for a tourist visa before departure for eligible short visits.
| Nationality | Indian Passport Holders |
| Visa Requirement | Visa-Free |
| Maximum Stay | Up to 30 Days |
| New Rule Effective | 15 September 2026 |
| Purpose | Tourism / Eligible Short Visits |
| Visa Fee | ₹0 – No Visa Fee |
| TDAC | Mandatory before arrival |
Important: Indian travellers arriving in Thailand before 15 September 2026 will continue to enter under the visa-exemption rules applicable on their date of arrival. Travellers already admitted under the previous scheme can remain in Thailand until the end of the stay period granted by Thai immigration.
Although a tourist visa is not required for an eligible 30-day visit, visa-free entry does not mean that there are no immigration requirements. Travellers should be prepared to satisfy Thai immigration authorities when entering the country.
There is no embassy visa application or visa sticker required for an eligible visa-free visit. However, Indian travellers are strongly advised to carry the following documents when travelling to Thailand:
Thai authorities may ask travellers to demonstrate adequate finances. Current official guidance for the 30-day visa-exemption scheme specifies an amount equivalent to approximately 20,000 Thai Baht per person or 40,000 Thai Baht per family.
Final permission to enter Thailand is always determined by the immigration officer at the port of entry.
Indian travellers must remember that visa-free does not mean form-free. All non-Thai nationals entering Thailand are required to submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC).
The TDAC is an electronic arrival declaration and is not a visa. It collects information such as passport details, arrival flight information, accommodation address, travel purpose and relevant health declaration information.
Travellers can submit the TDAC within 3 days before arrival in Thailand, including the arrival date. The official TDAC system allows submission up to approximately 72 hours before entry.
A new TDAC is required for each entry into Thailand. Children and infants are also required to be included in a TDAC submission.
There is no visa processing time for Indians travelling under the 30-day visa-exemption scheme because no tourist visa application needs to be submitted before travel.
Travellers simply need to ensure that their passport and travel documents are ready and complete the TDAC before arrival. The official TDAC system indicates that completing the arrival card normally takes only a few minutes when the required information is available.
Immigration clearance will take place when the traveller arrives in Thailand.
There is no Thai tourist visa fee for Indian passport holders entering Thailand under the 30-day visa-exemption scheme.
Visa Fee: ₹0
Travellers should be careful of websites that imply that a visa must be purchased for a normal eligible 30-day visa-free tourist visit. Separate charges may apply only where travellers purchase optional travel, documentation or assistance services.
Thailand previously provided eligible Indian passport holders with visa-free stays of up to 60 days. The Thai Government reviewed its visa policies during 2026 and decided to withdraw the broader 60-day visa-exemption arrangement.
Under the revised policy effective 15 September 2026, Indian ordinary passport holders remain eligible for visa-free travel, but the permitted initial stay is reduced to 30 days.
Therefore, travellers planning a normal holiday of less than 30 days can continue visiting Thailand without obtaining a tourist visa in advance.
Travellers who already know that they intend to remain in Thailand for more than 30 days should consider applying for an appropriate Thailand e-Visa before travelling.
Thai authorities also permit eligible travellers to request an extension of stay in certain circumstances. An extension is not automatic and remains entirely at the discretion of Thailand's Immigration Bureau.
Travellers should therefore not assume that they will automatically be permitted to stay beyond the period stamped or recorded by immigration when they enter Thailand.
Yes. Indian ordinary passport holders remain eligible for visa-free entry to Thailand. From 15 September 2026, the standard visa-free stay under the revised scheme is up to 30 days.
The new visa-exemption rules take effect on 15 September 2026.
No. An eligible Indian tourist travelling for seven days can normally use Thailand's visa-exemption scheme and does not need to obtain a tourist visa before travel.
Eligible Indian passport holders can stay in Thailand visa-free for up to 30 days under the scheme effective from 15 September 2026, subject to immigration approval on arrival.
Travellers entering before the new scheme takes effect will enter under the rules applicable on their date of arrival. Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that travellers admitted under the current scheme may remain until the expiry of the stay period granted to them.
No. Thailand has not cancelled visa-free entry for Indian passport holders. The major change is that the permitted visa-free stay is being reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
No Visa on Arrival application is required when an Indian passport holder qualifies for Thailand's visa-exemption scheme. Visa exemption allows eligible travellers to proceed directly through immigration.
No. There is no tourist visa fee when entering Thailand under the visa-exemption scheme.
Yes. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is required for non-Thai nationals entering Thailand, including travellers using visa-free entry.
The TDAC should be submitted within the three-day period before arrival in Thailand, including the date of arrival.
No. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is an electronic arrival declaration. It is not a visa and does not replace a visa where a traveller is otherwise required to obtain one.
Yes. Thailand's official TDAC guidance states that children and infants are also required to be included in a TDAC submission.
Travellers should carry confirmed evidence of onward or return travel showing that they intend to leave Thailand within their permitted stay.
Official Thai guidance for travellers using the 30-day visa-exemption scheme states that travellers should be able to demonstrate funds equivalent to approximately 20,000 Thai Baht per person or 40,000 Thai Baht per family if requested.
Travellers should have confirmed accommodation information available. Accommodation details are also required when completing the Thailand Digital Arrival Card.
The new standard visa-free entitlement is up to 30 days. If you intend to remain longer, you should obtain the appropriate Thai visa or verify whether you qualify to request an extension from Thai Immigration.
An extension may be requested from Thailand's Immigration Bureau where permitted. Approval is discretionary and should never be treated as guaranteed.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for medical emergencies, cancellations and other unexpected costs. Travellers should check whether any additional requirements apply to their particular circumstances before departure.
Yes. Visa exemption provides eligibility to travel without obtaining a visa beforehand, but final admission into Thailand remains subject to the decision of Thai immigration authorities.
Indian citizens who require a visa for a longer stay can apply through Thailand's official e-Visa system for the visa category appropriate to their purpose of travel.
Tripex Travel Update: From 15 September 2026, Indian passport holders travelling to Thailand for an eligible short visit can enjoy visa-free entry for up to 30 days, making destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui easily accessible for Indian travellers.
Disclaimer: Visa-exemption and immigration policies are determined by the Government of Thailand and may change without prior notice. Visa-free eligibility does not guarantee entry. Thai immigration officers have the final authority to determine admission and the permitted duration of stay. Travellers should verify the latest official requirements before departure.
Aug 21, 2026
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