India has officially waived the e-Tourist visa fee for Thai nationals, granting them a free 30-day double-entry e-Tourist visa — and the deal runs until December 31, 2027. At nearly the same moment, Thailand is removing its old Visa-on-Arrival requirement for Indian passport holders and replacing it with a clean, no-fee visa exemption effective September 15, 2026. Two moves. One week. The India–Thailand travel corridor just became meaningfully cheaper and simpler in both directions.
This is not small print. It is a coordinated bilateral signal timed deliberately around the BRICS Leaders' Summit in New Delhi. Both governments are leaning into people-to-people connectivity — and travelers on both sides are the immediate winners.
What India Just Announced — and Why It Matters for the Thailand-to-India Route
The Embassy of India in Bangkok announced this measure in a press release dated September 11, 2026. Under the scheme, Thai passport holders can apply online for a 30-day e-Tourist visa allowing two entries into India without paying a visa fee — a fee that typically runs into hundreds of rupees per applicant.
The official language from the embassy is unambiguous: the Government of India will grant a 30-day e-Tourist visa with double entry on a gratis basis to Thai nationals. The arrangement will remain in force till December 31, 2027, or until further orders.
One point that must be stated plainly: this is a visa-fee waiver, not visa-free entry. Thai nationals still need to apply through India's official e-Visa portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in and receive an approved e-Tourist visa before travelling. The visa is simply free. That is the change.
This is also not India's first such gesture toward Thailand. India had previously extended a gratis 30-day e-Tourist visa arrangement for Thai nationals until June 30, 2026. The latest decision provides a significantly longer window — through December 2027 — signalling a more durable commitment to bilateral tourism growth.
What Thailand Just Changed — the Critical Update for Indian Travelers
Simultaneously, Thailand has overhauled its own entry framework. Effective September 15, 2026, Thailand's Ministry of Interior has revoked the previous 60-day visa exemption for 93 countries and replaced it with a revised, nationality-based system.
Here is the headline for Indian passport holders: India's eligibility shifts from Visa-on-Arrival to a 30-day visa exemption. That means Indian travelers no longer need to queue at a VoA counter, pay a VoA fee, or carry extra photographs and forms. They enter Thailand for tourism — no visa, no fee, no counter. Just passport control.
Eligible Indian ordinary-passport holders can receive up to 30 visa-free days for tourism, with the option of a one-time 30-day extension at an immigration office for approximately 1,900 THB (roughly ₹4,500). Maximum stay per entry: 60 days if the extension is used.
There is a catch that Indian travelers must not miss. The old 60-day privilege — which had been in place since mid-2026 — is gone. If you were planning a two-month Thailand stay without a long-stay visa, that door is closed from September 15 onward. Longer stays require the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) or another appropriate non-immigrant category.
Also mandatory for all travelers entering Thailand: the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which must be submitted within 72 hours before arrival at any air, land, or sea checkpoint. Do not skip this. Immigration officers will check it.
The Bigger Picture: A BRICS Moment for Bilateral Travel
The timing of India's embassy announcement — September 11, 2026, one day before the BRICS Leaders' Summit in New Delhi — is not accidental. Thailand participated as a BRICS partner country at that summit, and has positioned itself as a potential bridge between ASEAN and BRICS. The visa moves from both sides reflect a deepening India–Thailand relationship in tourism, connectivity, trade, and culture.
The scale of the opportunity is real. Around 130,000 Thai tourists visited India in a recent year, according to figures cited by the Indian Embassy in Bangkok. Thailand is also directly connected with more than 15 Indian cities, with over 500 flights weekly, depending on seasonal schedules. This is a corridor with volume — and with these visa costs removed on both sides, that volume should grow.
Thailand and India share centuries-old cultural and Buddhist links. Destinations such as Bodh Gaya hold particular significance for Thai visitors. On the Indian side, travelers heading to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, and Koh Samui now face a simpler, cheaper process than ever before.
Eligibility and Requirements at a Glance
Thai nationals visiting India (India → Thailand direction):
- Apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in
- Select the 30-day e-Tourist visa category
- Fee: ₹0 (gratis) until December 31, 2027
- Entries: Double-entry within the 30-day validity
- Passport validity: Minimum 6 months at time of application
- Apply at least 4 days — and up to 30 days — before travel
- Carry return/onward tickets and proof of sufficient funds at Indian immigration
Indian nationals visiting Thailand (Thailand → India direction):
- Visa: Not required from September 15, 2026
- Stay: Up to 30 days for tourism; optional 30-day extension at ~1,900 THB (≈₹4,500) at an immigration office
- Mandatory: Complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within 72 hours before arrival
- Passport validity: Minimum 6 months
- Purpose: Tourism only under the visa exemption — employment, study, or long-term stays require a separate visa
- Carry confirmed return tickets, hotel bookings, and a clear itinerary
What SaathiVisa Recommends
If you are Thai and planning to visit India: Apply for the e-Tourist visa right now. The portal is live, the fee is zero, and processing is typically quick. There is no strategic reason to wait — fee waivers like this come with an expiry date and a "until further orders" clause. Book your trip while the window is open.
If you are Indian and planning to visit Thailand: September 15 is the go-live date for your visa exemption. Travel on or after that date and you will walk through without a VoA fee or form. Do NOT forget the TDAC — submit it within 72 hours before you fly. Missing it at the counter is an avoidable headache.
Planning a trip longer than 30 days in Thailand? The 60-day free ride is over. Look into the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), which can now only be applied for through the Thai embassy or consulate covering your country of citizenship — not at a third-country mission. Plan ahead; DTV applications are not instant.
We recommend Indian travelers heading to Thailand book flights for September 15 or later to lock in the cleaner visa-exempt entry. And if you are travelling as a family or group, the TDAC must be completed per person — do not leave it to the last minute at the airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Thai nationals still need a visa to visit India under this new scheme?
Yes. The e-Tourist visa is still mandatory — it is not visa-free entry. What has changed is the fee: it is now zero. Thai nationals must still apply online through India's official e-Visa portal and receive approval before traveling. The application process is the same; the cost is not.
I am an Indian planning a 45-day trip to Thailand. Does the 30-day visa exemption affect me?
Yes, it does. The visa exemption allows up to 30 days for tourism. You can extend once at a local immigration office for approximately 1,900 THB — giving a maximum of 60 days per entry. If you need longer or want flexibility, apply for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) through the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi or the Thai Consulate in Mumbai, Chennai, or Kolkata before you travel.
How long will India's free e-Tourist visa for Thai nationals last?
The arrangement is officially in place until December 31, 2027, or until further government orders — whichever comes first. The phrase "until further orders" is important: India can modify or withdraw the scheme at any time. There is no guarantee it extends beyond 2027. Apply while the window is guaranteed.