Thailand Visa for Indians 2026: The New 30-Day Rule, TDAC & E-Visa Explained

If you are planning a Bangkok beach escape this winter, the thailand visa for indians looks nothing like it did last year. The headline every Indian traveller knew — 60 days, no visa, no fee — was scrapped on 15 September 2026. In its place stands a flat 30-day visa exemption for tourism, still free of charge, plus a mandatory digital arrival card that has tripped up more travellers than any fee ever did. Here is exactly how the new rules work, what changed from the old scheme, and how to get through immigration without a hitch.

Visa rules change fast. This guide was last verified on 9 October 2026 — always confirm on the official portal linked below before you apply.

The big 2026 change: the 60-day exemption is gone

Thailand once ran one of the most generous entry deals an Indian passport could buy: 60 days of visa-free travel, granted free at the border. That scheme was always temporary, and in 2026 the Thai Cabinet formally wound it down. The decision was taken on 19 May 2026, published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026, and took effect on 15 September 2026. From that date, Indian passport holders arriving for tourism are stamped in for 30 days — not a day more.

What has not changed matters as much as what has. The exemption is still free — there is no fee at the border and no application to make. It still covers tourism only: it is a visa exemption, not a visa, which means you cannot convert it into a work permit or use it for business activity. And the cut-off was clean — entries made before 15 September 2026 kept the 60-day grant they were given, so only new arrivals from that date onwards fall under the 30-day rule. The old 15-day VOA (THB 2,000, cash only) still exists as a fallback, but it is a worse deal in almost every way than the free exemption.

TDAC: the free arrival card you must file before flying

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is the single most-missed requirement of the new regime. It is mandatory for every foreign arrival — by air, land or sea — and it replaced the old paper TM6 form back on 1 May 2025. It is completely free and takes about five minutes to file on the only official portal, tdac.immigration.go.th, within 72 hours before your arrival. You will need your passport details, flight number, accommodation address in Thailand and a working email; the portal returns a QR-coded confirmation you show at immigration, on your phone or printed.

Get three things right about the TDAC. It is not a visa and does not guarantee entry — immigration decides at the counter. File within the 72-hour window, not earlier. And use only the official portal: Thai immigration has repeatedly warned about look-alike sites charging travellers for what is a free form — if any site asks you to pay, it is a scam. Type the address yourself and never click through a sponsored advert.

Need more than 30 days? The Thai tourist e-visa

The 30-day exemption covers the classic Thai holiday comfortably — Bangkok, Krabi, a couple of island hops — but slow travellers, honeymooners and anyone combining Thailand with remote work will bump against the ceiling. For stays beyond 30 days, or for non-tourism purposes like MICE events and medical treatment, Thailand's tourist e-visa is the official route: a USD 40 application on thaievisa.go.th for a stay of up to 60 days.

The process is straightforward — create an account on the portal, fill the application form, upload your supporting documents, pay the fee and wait for the e-visa confirmation to arrive by email. One caution: the processing time is quoted by travel sources as around 14 working days, but that figure comes from a single source and is indicative rather than official. Apply well ahead and check the current processing guidance on thaievisa.go.th before you commit to flights.

• Create an account at thaievisa.go.th and select the Tourist visa category
• Fill the application form with travel dates, accommodation and passport details
• Upload supporting documents (passport bio page, photo, bookings, financial proof)
• Pay the USD 40 fee online — visa fees are non-refundable
• Wait for processing (quoted ~14 working days, indicative) and receive the e-visa confirmation by email

Documents, funds and the overstay trap

The exemption is free but not unconditional: Thai immigration can ask for your return or onward ticket, accommodation proof, proof of funds and a passport valid for 6+ months beyond your arrival. Travel insurance is not legally required, but for a destination where scooter scrapes and hospital visits are the two most common trip-ruiners, going without is a false economy.

Take overstay rules seriously: Thailand fines overstayers THB 500 per day, capped at THB 20,000 — but the fine is the least of it. Overstays beyond 90 days risk detention, deportation and a re-entry ban, and even short overstays are recorded. If your plans change mid-trip, sort out your immigration status before your stamp expires rather than after.

Thailand visa for Indians: your pre-departure checklist

• 30 days or fewer means the free exemption; longer means applying for the e-visa well in advance
• File the TDAC on tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours before arrival and save the QR confirmation
• Carry a passport with 6+ months validity, a return or onward ticket, hotel bookings and proof of funds
• Watch the calendar if you arrived under the old scheme — the 60-day grant only applied to entries before 15 September 2026
• Do not overstay: THB 500 per day in fines, and serious consequences beyond 90 days
• Planning a longer Thailand holiday with islands, visas and domestic hops all sorted? MyQuickTrippers can help you plan the whole trip — reach us on WhatsApp at +91 81711 58569.

“The 60-day stamp is gone — but 30 days visa-free, filed right, still makes Thailand the easiest big international trip an Indian passport can take.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Thailand visa-free for Indians in 2026?

Yes, with a smaller allowance than before. From 15 September 2026, Indian passport holders get a 30-day visa exemption for tourism, free of charge and granted on arrival. The old 60-day scheme ended on that date.

Do I need the TDAC even if I have a Thai e-visa?

Yes. The TDAC is mandatory for every foreign arrival — visa-exempt travellers, e-visa holders and visa holders alike must file it within 72 hours before arrival. It is free and is not a visa.

I entered Thailand before 15 September 2026 — which rule applies to me?

The 60-day grant you received stands. The new 30-day rule applies to entries from 15 September 2026 onwards; it does not retroactively shorten stays already granted.

Can I extend the 30-day visa exemption?

Our research did not confirm a simple extension route for the exemption. If you know you need more than 30 days, apply for the tourist e-visa (up to 60 days) on thaievisa.go.th before you travel rather than gambling on options at the border.

What happens if I overstay my 30 days?

You will be fined THB 500 per day up to a THB 20,000 cap, and the overstay goes on your immigration record. Overstays beyond 90 days risk detention, deportation and a ban on re-entering Thailand.

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