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In order to enter Thailand, Indian citizens must have a valid visa. A number of visas are available, including tourist, business, and work visas, and Indian citizens can apply for them at the Thai Embassy in New Delhi or at a designated visa processing center, like VFS Global. Indian citizens can also apply for visas on arrival at some Thai airports, but this option is subject to change and availability.
Planning your trip and visa application
Securing a visa is important in planning a trip to Thailand from India. Here’s what you need to know:
Determine the type of visa you need: There are several types of visas available for Indian citizens traveling to Thailand, including tourist visas, business visas, and work visas. It’s important to determine the purpose of your trip and choose the appropriate visa type.
Gather necessary documents: To apply for a Thailand visa, you will need a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining, a passport-sized photo, and proof of financial support, such as bank statements. Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, you may also need additional supporting documents, such as an invitation letter for business visas or a work permit for work visas.
Choose a visa processing method: Indian citizens can apply for a Thailand visa through the Thai Embassy in New Delhi or through a designated visa processing center like VFS Global. Alternatively, Indian citizens are eligible to apply for a visa on arrival at select airports in Thailand.
Submit the visa application and pay the fee: Complete the online visa application form and submit the required documents, including your passport and supporting materials. Pay the visa fee, which varies depending on the type of visa and processing time.
Wait for processing: The processing time for a Thailand visa varies, but typically takes 5-7 business days.
Check visa status: You can check the status of your visa application through the Thai Embassy’s website or by contacting them directly.
Types of Visas
There are several types of visas available for Indian citizens traveling to Thailand, including:
Thai Elite Visa
The Thailand Elite Visa is offered in several packages with a validity ranging from five to twenty years, enabling the holder to continuously reside in the country while benefitting from multiple-entry privileges. Moreover, each entry on this visa grants up to one year of stay and can be further extended if necessary.
This type of visa is especially suitable for digital nomads who don’t need constant visa renewals, retirees facing the complexity of existing regulations, and frequent business travelers who require several visits a year.
Tourist Visa
This is A 60-day Tourist Visa to Thailand can be used for multiple or single entries, and it can be extended for up to 30 more days with a visa run. If you wish to extend your stay beyond 30 days, you can convert your visa to a Non-Immigrant Visa, but that will require you to visit nearby cities such as Penang and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.This is the most common type of visa for Indian travellers to Thailand.
Non-Immigrant Visa
This is a 90-day single entry visa to Thailand obtained to extend your stay by doing a visa run to the border or nearby city/country. With this visa obtaining a work permit and opening a bank account are also possible. If you do not have the correct format for the Health Insurance on your COE application, some embassies will reject your application for this nonimmigrant visa.
One Year Non-Immigrant Visa
This is a Multiple Entry Visa to Thailand valid for use for a period of 1 year. You are allowed to stay 90 days per entry, which means that every 90 days you must go to the border and have your visa stamped.
Business Visa
Non-Immigrant Business Visa is specifically designed for people who wish to do business legally in Thailand. It allows you to get a work permit and open a bank account, but you must renew your visa every 90 days
Permanent Resident Visa
As a prerequisite for this visa, you must have been in Thailand for three consecutive years with one-year extensions. It is required that you earn 30,000 Baht/month if you are married to a Thai for five years. To qualify for a Permanent Resident Visa in Thailand, you simply need to provide your three years’ worth of tax statements demonstrating the above-stated income requirements.
Requirements to apply for a Thailand Tourist Visa from India
As a tourist or visitor to Thailand, you will usually be applying for a tourist visa. This can be done physically at a VFS Global, or by completing part of the process online or by opting for a visa on arrival in an airport in Thailand.
The common requirement to acquire a Thailand Visa are as follows:
- Valid passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining
- Passport-sized photo – a recent 4x6cm Photograph of the applicant
- Completed visa application form
- Proof of financial support (e.g. bank statements) – 20,000 baht per person/40,000 baht per family
- Confirmed return ticket paid in full.
- Supporting documents for the purpose of the trip (e.g. invitation letter for business visas, work permit for work visas)
Applying through VFS Global
You can apply for a Thai visa through the official website of VFS Global. Online visa applications require basic information and passport information. To initiate an online visa application, applicants must visit the official VFS Global website – http://www.vfs-thailand.co.in/.
Here you need to follow the step by stpe process which guide you in the following sequence.
- Apply for a visa – Find information and begin your application
- Book an appointment – Schedule your appointment
- Find a center Information about your local centre
- Complete the process.
Thailand Visa fee for Indian Citizens
| Fee | Visa Type | Validity of Visa |
| INR 4,600 | Visa on Arrival | Permitted to stay for a period not exceeding 15 Days |
| INR 1,900 | Transit Visa | Visa valid for 3 Months |
| INR 2,500 | Tourist Visa (Single Entry) | Visa valid for 3 Months |
| INR 12,000 | Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry) | Visa valid for 6 Months | Permitted to stay for a period not exceeding 60 Days (each entry). |
| INR 5,000 | Non-Immigrant Visa (Single Entry) | Visa valid for 3 Months |
| INR 12,000 | Non-Immigrant Visa (Multiple Entry) | Visa valid for 6 Months or 1 Year |
| INR 24,000 | Three Year Non-Immigrant Visa’ B’ (Multiple Entry) | Visa valid for 3 Years |
Thailand Visa Processing Time
The processing time for Thailand’s visa is approximately 7 working days.
E-Visa on Arrival for Indians Travelling to Thailand
The Visa On Arrival scheme allows passport holders in India and 18 other countries to enter Thailand as a short-stay tourist without needing to apply for a Tourist Visa from a Thai Embassy in their own country.
To receive a Visa on Arrival, a traveler must meet the following requirements:
- Be from an approved country.
- Visit Thailand strictly for tourism purposes.
- Hold a genuine passport with a valid expiry of more than 30 days.
- Be able to list a valid accommodation address in Thailand that can be verified. This address can be a hotel or an apartment.
- Must have a confirmed return ticket exiting Thailand within 15 days. Open tickets do not qualify. Traveling overland by train, bus, etc to Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia (including en route to Singapore), Myanmar, etc is not accepted as proof of exiting Thailand.
- Provide proof of funds of at least 10,000 THB for single travelers, or 20,000 THB per family during your stay in Thailand.
- Pay a fee of 2,000 THB upon entry. This fee is subject to change without notice. It must be paid in cash and only Thai currency is accepted.
List of Thailand Immigration Checkpoints for Visa on Arrival
- Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Don Muang International Airport, Bangkok
- Chiangmai International Airport, Chiangmai
- Phuket International Airport, Phuket
- Hatyai International Airport, Songkhla
- U Tapao Airport, Rayong
- Mae Sai Immigration Checkpoint, Chiengrai
- Chieng Saen Immigration Checkpoint, Chiengrai
- Chieng Khong Immigration Checkpoint, Chiengrai
- Betong Immigration Checkpoint, Yala
- Sadoa Immigration Checkpoint, Songkhla
- Samui Airport, Surat Thani
- Sukhothai International Airport, Tak Immigration Checkpoint
- Bangkok Harbour Immigration Checkpoint, Bangkok
- Sri Racha Immigration Checkpoint, Chonburi
- Mabtaput Immigration Checkpoint, Rayong
- Nong Khai Immigration Checkpoint, Nong Khai
- Samui Immigration Checkpoint, Surat Thani
- Phuket Immigration Checkpoint, Phuket
- Satun Immigration Checkpoint, Satun
- Krabi Immigration Checkpoint, Krabi
- Songkhla Harbour Immigration Checkpoint, Songkhla
- Chiangrai Airport Immigration Checkpoint, Chiangrai
- Surat Thani Airport Immigration Checkpoint, Surat Thani
There are currency exchange counters at major airports. If a traveler is entering Thailand by land, it is best to exchange currency for Thai Baht before leaving their home country.