Key Highlights
- Two visa options: E-Visa (60 days) or VOA (15 days)
- E-visa fee: THB 2,500 (~₹6,000) - apply online
- VOA fee: THB 2,000 (~₹4,800) - pay at airport
- E-visa processing: 3-7 working days
- VOA: Immediate at airport (with 1-2 hour queue)
- High approval rate: 95%+ for genuine tourists
- Can extend stay by 30 days at Thai Immigration (THB 1,900)
- New DTV visa for digital nomads (up to 5 years)
- No interview or biometrics required
- Direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore
Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations for Indians, offering beautiful beaches, ancient temples, vibrant nightlife, and world-renowned hospitality. Indian citizens have two convenient visa options: E-Visa (recommended) for stays up to 60 days, or Visa on Arrival (VOA) for quick trips up to 15 days. **E-Visa (Recommended):** Apply online at thaievisa.go.th before travel. Processing takes 3-7 days. Allows 60-day stay, extendable by 30 days in Thailand. Faster immigration processing at arrival. **Visa on Arrival:** Available at Thai airports for THB 2,000. Only 15 days stay. Long queues at airport (1-2 hours during peak season). Requires cash and documents at immigration. Thailand has also introduced the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for digital nomads and remote workers, valid for up to 5 years with 180-day stays. The approval rate is very high (95%+) for genuine tourists. Thailand is extremely welcoming to Indian visitors, with significant direct flight connectivity from major Indian cities. Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai are top destinations.
Visa Types Available
E-visa for tourism allowing 60-day stay
- Tourism and sightseeing
- Visiting friends/family
- Medical tourism
- Wellness retreats
Multiple entry visa valid for 6 months, 60 days per entry
- Frequent travelers
- Multiple visits within 6 months
- Regional travelers
Available at Thai airports for short visits up to 15 days
- Short tourism visit
- Quick trips
- Transit tourism
New long-stay visa for digital nomads and remote workers
- Remote work
- Digital nomads
- Workcation
- Long-term tourism
Complete Fee Breakdown
Fees are non-refundable even if visa is denied. Exchange rates fluctuate daily - verify current rates.
Documents Required
Mandatory Documents
Financial Documents 2 items
Employment/Business Proof 1 items
Ties to India (Supporting) 1 items
Step-by-Step Application Process
Choose Visa Type
Decide between E-Visa (60 days, online) or Visa on Arrival (15 days, at airport). E-visa recommended for stays over 15 days or to avoid airport queues.
5 minutes- VOA only allows 15 days - too short for most trips
- E-visa allows 60 days + 30-day extension = 90 days total
- VOA has long airport queues (1-2 hours in peak season)
Apply Online for E-Visa
Create account on Thailand E-Visa portal (thaievisa.go.th). Fill application form with personal, travel, and accommodation details.
30-45 minutes- Use official portal only - thaievisa.go.th
- Create account with valid email
- Fill all required fields accurately
Upload Required Documents
Upload passport scan, photo, flight tickets, hotel booking, and bank statement (6 months). All documents must be clear and in English.
20-30 minutes- Passport scan: color, clear, all pages
- Photo: 4x6 cm, white background, recent
- Bank statement: 6 months, showing THB 20,000+ equivalent
Pay Visa Fee Online
Pay e-visa fee online via credit/debit card. Single entry: THB 2,500 (~₹6,000). Multiple entry: THB 5,000 (~₹12,000).
5-10 minutes- Payment via international credit/debit card
- Fee is non-refundable if rejected
- Keep payment receipt
Wait for Processing
Application reviewed by Thai consulate. Track status on e-visa portal. Processing takes 3-7 working days for single entry.
3-7 working days- Track using application reference number
- May receive request for additional documents
- Don't book non-refundable travel until approved
Receive E-Visa & Travel
Approved e-visa sent via email. Print color copy and carry to Thailand. Show at immigration for entry stamp.
Same day upon approval- Print e-visa in color
- Save digital copy on phone
- E-visa speeds up immigration process
Check Your Visa Readiness Score
Assess your Thailand application strength before you apply. Get personalized tips to improve your chances of approval.
Check Your ScoreCommon Rejection Reasons
Insufficient funds • One-way ticket or no confirmed return • Incomplete documentation ... 5 reasons to avoid
Insufficient funds
Cannot show THB 20,000 equivalent per person for VOA or inadequate bank balance for e-visa.
One-way ticket or no confirmed return
No return/onward flight ticket provided.
Incomplete documentation
Missing required documents or poor quality scans.
Previous overstay or visa violation
History of overstaying in Thailand or visa violations.
Suspicious travel pattern
Frequent visits with long stays, or back-to-back entries raising immigration concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thailand visa fee for Indians in 2026? • Is Thailand visa fee refundable? 26+ questions answered
What is Thailand visa fee for Indians in 2026?
Thailand visa fees: VOA - THB 2,000 (~₹4,800), E-Visa Single Entry - THB 2,500 (~₹6,000), E-Visa Multiple Entry - THB 5,000 (~₹12,000), DTV Visa - THB 10,000 (~₹24,000).
Is Thailand visa fee refundable?
No, Thailand e-visa fee is non-refundable if application is rejected. VOA fee is paid only if granted at airport, so no refund issue.
Can I pay Thailand VOA fee in Indian rupees?
VOA fee must be paid in Thai Baht (THB 2,000) at airport. Carry cash or withdraw from ATM. Some counters may accept USD but change rate is poor.
Which is cheaper - e-visa or VOA?
VOA is cheaper (THB 2,000 vs THB 2,500 for e-visa). However, e-visa allows 60 days stay vs 15 days for VOA, and avoids airport queues.
How long does Thailand e-visa take?
Thailand e-visa processing takes 3-7 working days for single entry, 5-10 working days for multiple entry. Apply 2-3 weeks before travel.
Can I get Thailand visa on arrival immediately?
Yes, VOA is processed at Thai airports immediately, but expect 1-2 hour queues during peak season. Early morning arrivals have shorter queues.
How to track Thailand e-visa application?
Track on thaievisa.go.th using your application reference number and email. You'll also receive email updates on status changes.
What documents are required for Thailand e-visa?
Required: Valid passport (6 months), passport-size photo (white background), confirmed flight tickets, hotel booking, bank statement (6 months showing THB 20,000+ equivalent).
What documents needed for Thailand VOA?
For VOA: Passport (6 months validity), recent photo, return ticket, hotel booking, THB 20,000 cash (or equivalent), completed arrival/departure card.
How much money to show for Thailand visa?
Show THB 20,000 (~₹48,000) per person for VOA (carry in cash). For e-visa, bank statement showing equivalent balance over 6 months.
Is travel insurance required for Thailand?
Travel insurance is not mandatory for Thailand tourist visa, but highly recommended. COVID-related requirements have been lifted.
How long can I stay in Thailand on tourist visa?
E-visa allows 60 days stay (extendable by 30 days). VOA allows only 15 days (extendable by 7-15 days). Multiple entry allows 60 days per entry within 6 months.
Can I extend Thailand tourist visa?
Yes, visit Thai Immigration office before visa expires. Extension fee is THB 1,900. E-visa can be extended by 30 days, VOA by 7-15 days.
What happens if I overstay Thailand visa?
Overstaying attracts THB 500/day fine (max THB 20,000). Overstay over 90 days leads to detention, deportation, and multi-year re-entry ban.
Can I work in Thailand on tourist visa?
No, working on tourist visa is illegal. Employment requires proper work permit and visa. Digital nomads should consider the new DTV visa.
What is Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)?
DTV is a new visa for digital nomads and remote workers. Valid for 5 years, allows 180-day stays, extendable by 180 days. Fee: THB 10,000. Can work remotely for non-Thai employer.
Should I get Thailand e-visa or VOA?
E-visa recommended for most travelers: allows 60 days (vs 15 for VOA), no airport queues, smoother immigration. VOA only suitable for very short trips.
What are VOA-eligible airports in Thailand?
VOA available at all major airports: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, and many others. Also available at land borders.
How long is Thailand VOA queue?
VOA queues range from 30 minutes to 2+ hours depending on time and season. Peak season (Nov-Feb) and evening flights have longest queues.
Can I convert VOA to longer visa in Thailand?
No, you cannot convert VOA to regular tourist visa inside Thailand. You can only extend by 7-15 days. For longer stay, exit and apply for e-visa.
Official Sources & Verification
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Last verified: 2026-01-04 by Times of Visa Editorial Team