Thailand has long held a special place in Indian travel plans: the beaches of Phuket, the temples of Chiang Mai, the street food and energy of Bangkok. Before you book flights, here is what you need to know about visas, fees, and a mandatory pre-departure form every traveller to Thailand must complete.
Do Indians Need a Visa for Thailand?
Indian passport holders need a visa to enter Thailand. India is currently in the Visa on Arrival (VOA) category. For short trips of up to 15 days, you can obtain a VOA at the airport on arrival. For trips longer than 15 days, you will need to apply for a Tourist Visa (TR) before departure.
Regardless of which visa you take, there is one additional step every traveller must complete before boarding: the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). It is free, takes under five minutes to complete online, and is mandatory for all foreign nationals entering Thailand. Airlines are required to check it at check-in — no TDAC means no boarding.
This blog covers everything you need to know about Visa on Arrival for Indians who’re looking to travel to Thailand for 15 days or lesser.
Documents needed for a short trip to Thailand (under 15 days)
| Document Type | Best For | Where to Apply | Processing | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa on Arrival (VOA) | Short trips up to 15 days. Best for last-minute or spontaneous travel — no advance application needed. | At the immigration counter after landing | On the spot | THB 2,000 in Thai Baht cash |
| Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) | Mandatory for all travellers, every entry — regardless of visa type | tdac.immigration.go.th or a third party visa processing service | Instant | Free |
Visa fees above reflect the Royal Thai Embassy's current schedule and are subject to change. Always verify the latest rates at newdelhi.thaiembassy.org before applying.
Thailand Visa on Arrival Requirements for Indians
Documents required vary depending on which entry route you choose.
Visa on Arrival (VOA): Documents to Carry to the Airport Counter
The VOA is the right choice if you have made last-minute plans, are travelling spontaneously, or simply prefer to deal with visa formalities after landing. You won't need anything sorted before you fly — just carry these documents and head to the VOA counter after arrival.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel date
- One recent passport-sized photograph (45mm x 35mm)
- Completed TM.88 VOA application form, available at the immigration counter. Carry your own pen to save time.
- Confirmed return or onward flight ticket departing Thailand within 15 days. Open-ended tickets are not accepted.
- Hotel booking confirmation or confirmed accommodation address in Thailand
- Proof of funds: THB 10,000 per person, or THB 20,000 per family
- THB 2,000 in Thai Baht cash. Cards and other currencies are not accepted at the VOA counter
- TDAC QR code (completed online before departure — see the TDAC section below)
How to Apply for a Thailand Visa on Arrival
No advance application needed. Handle everything at the immigration counter after landing.
- Complete your TDAC before flying. Go to tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours of your arrival date. Fill in your passport details, travel dates, and accommodation address. Save the QR code and take a screenshot as backup.
- Carry Thai Baht cash for the fee. The VOA fee (THB 2,000) must be paid in Thai Baht cash at the counter. Cards and other currencies are not accepted. Exchange money at your departure airport in India, or at a currency kiosk in the arrival hall before you reach immigration.
- Follow signs to the Visa on Arrival counter. Pick up and fill out the TM.88 form at the counter.
- Submit your documents: passport, completed TM.88, passport photo, return ticket, hotel booking, and proof of funds.
- Pay and collect your stamp. Pay THB 2,000 in cash and receive a 15-day entry stamp in your passport.
VOA counters at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Phuket International can have queues stretching 1–2 hours during peak season.
How to Complete the TDAC
The TDAC is mandatory for all travellers entering Thailand, regardless of visa type.
- Go to tdac.immigration.go.th, the official Thai Immigration portal.
- Fill in your passport details, travel dates, accommodation address in Thailand, and health information. It takes under five minutes for most travellers.
- Submit within the 72-hour window before your arrival date. The portal blocks submissions made too early.
- Save your QR code. Screenshot it and email it to yourself as a backup. Airlines may check for the document at check-in, and Thai immigration scans it on arrival.
Processing Time and Validity
| Visa on Arrival (VOA) | Tourist Visa, Single Entry (TR) | |
|---|---|---|
| Processing time | On the spot at the airport | ~14 working days. Apply at least 3–4 weeks before travel. |
| Validity | Issued on arrival | 3 months from date of issue |
| Maximum stay | 15 days. No extension available. | 60 days. Extendable once by 30 days at a Thai Immigration office (~THB 1,900). |
| Entry type | Single entry | Single entry (METV available for multiple entries) |
Visa validity and permitted stay are different things. Plan your travel dates around the permitted stay, not the visa validity date.
Tips for Travelling to Thailand
If you plan to stay in Thailand for more than 15 days, apply for your Tourist Visa well in advance. It cannot be obtained at the airport. The Tourist Visa (TR) grants a 60-day stay but must be applied for before you travel, with a processing time of approximately 14 working days. Apply at least 3–4 weeks before your departure date. Visa on Arrival only grants 15 days and cannot be extended — so if there is any chance your trip will run longer, the Tourist Visa is the right route to plan for.
Complete the TDAC within the 72-hour window — not before. The official portal at tdac.immigration.go.th only accepts submissions within 72 hours of your arrival date. Trying too early will block your entry date. Aim to file it 48 hours before departure. Screenshot the QR code and email it to yourself as a backup — airlines check this at check-in.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel date. This applies to VOA and Tourist Visa alike. Thai immigration will turn you away if your passport doesn't meet this threshold. Check the expiry date before booking flights.
Carry Thai Baht cash if using Visa on Arrival at the airport. The THB 2,000 fee must be paid in Thai Baht cash at the counter — cards and other currencies are not accepted. Exchange money at your departure airport in India, or at a kiosk in the arrival hall before you reach the immigration queue.
Have proof of funds ready at immigration. Thai immigration officers can ask to see that you have sufficient funds for your trip. The general guideline is THB 10,000 per person or THB 20,000 per family. A bank statement screenshot on your phone or a forex card balance is usually sufficient.
Your return ticket must be confirmed, not open-ended. VOA requires a confirmed outbound flight within your permitted stay period. Open or flexible tickets are not accepted. Book your return before you travel.
Travel insurance is not mandatory, but worth considering. Thailand does not require travel insurance as a condition of entry. However, private hospital costs in Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai are steep for foreign nationals. A basic policy covering hospitalisation is a sensible precaution, particularly for family travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Indians travel to Thailand without a visa?
No. India is currently in the Visa on Arrival category for Thailand. For trips up to 15 days, you can get a VOA at the airport on arrival. For longer stays, you'll need to apply for a Tourist Visa before you travel.
What is the TDAC, and do I need it even if I already have a visa?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is a mandatory online form that replaced the old paper arrival card. It applies to every foreign national entering Thailand. It is free, takes under five minutes at tdac.immigration.go.th, and must be submitted within 72 hours of your arrival date. Airlines check it before boarding.
How long can I stay in Thailand on a Visa on Arrival?
VOA allows a maximum stay of 15 days. If you need longer, you must apply for a Tourist Visa (TR) before departure — this grants 60 days, with a possible 30-day extension at a Thai Immigration office for around THB 1,900.
Does my child need their own TDAC?
Yes. Every traveller — including infants and children of any age — must have their own individual TDAC completed before arrival. There is no shared or family TDAC option.
What happens if I forget to complete the TDAC before my flight?
Airlines are required to verify TDAC completion before boarding. Failing to submit it risks being denied boarding. Complete it within the 72-hour window before your arrival date — not earlier, as the portal blocks premature submissions.
Do I need a visa for a transit through Thailand?
If your layover is under 12 hours and you stay within the international transit area, no visa or TDAC is required. If your layover is longer, or you plan to exit the transit zone, you will need to complete the TDAC and have the correct entry permission for Thailand.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Thailand?
No. Travel insurance is not a condition of entry. That said, medical costs at private hospitals are high for foreign nationals, so a policy covering hospitalisation is worth having — particularly for family trips or longer stays.
