Thailand Visa Guide for Indians

06 October, 2023

Thailand has been an enchanting destination for travellers around the world. From its bustling streets adorned with vibrant markets and ornate temples to its pristine beaches bordered with swaying palm trees, Thailand offers diversity. For Indian traveller, Thailand often conjures up images of a culturally rich land (much like our home country) with an exotic twist. As you prepare to embark on your Thai vacation, you must pay careful consideration to the Thai visa process. With this guide, you can fulfil all the basic requirements and easily complete the application process for a Thailand visa for Indians.

Thailand Tourist Visa for Indians – An Overview

The Kingdom of Thailand grants pre-approved visas to visitors via VFS Global Services. Indian tourists to Thailand can also take advantage of the visa on arrival facility. The visa costs depend upon whether you choose to apply for a visa before travelling to Thailand, or obtain one upon arrival.

The Thailand visa on arrival for Indians is available at designated immigration checkpoints like airports, land borders, and seaports. However, you may be granted a visa on arrival only if you fulfil the applicable eligibility requirements. The maximum duration of stay allotted with a visa on arrival is up to 15 days.

If you wish to apply for a short-term tourist visa with an extended stay not exceeding 60 days, you can apply for your Thai Visa on the VFS Global website. This visa comes with a validity period of 3 months for a single entry visa. You can also apply for a multiple entry visa with a validity period of 6 months.

Documents Required for a Thailand Tourist Visa

If you choose to apply for a Thailand visa in advance, you must provide the following documents:

• Duly filled Thailand visa application form.

• An Indian passport with a validity of at least 30 days from the date of arrival in Thailand.

• Two recent, clear passport-size photographs clicked against a white background.

• Proof of accommodation such as hotel reservations or a letter of invitation from a friend or relative to stay.

• Outward or return flight ticket.

• A copy of the detailed travel itinerary for your trip in Thailand.

• Proof of income and other financial means, supporting your stay in Thailand. You should have at least 10,000 to 20,000 Baht per person. The amount depends on whether you are travelling individually or with family. You may also present your bank statement to prove that you have sufficient funds.
  
  

Note that you might have to furnish additional documents besides the general paperwork listed above. You can check this with the Embassy or consulate. In the case of a visa on arrival, the immigration office reserves the right to request additional documents.

Thailand Visa Application Processes

Depending on whether you choose to obtain a Thailand Visa on Arrival for Indians or a pre-approved visa, you must the below-mentioned application processes to obtain your Thailand Visa.
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Application Process For Thai Visa on Arrival

1. Go to an Immigration Counter
   
   As an Indian tourist to Thailand, you can complete the immigration process at multiple checkpoints in Thailand. These include the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the Don Mueang International Airport, the Chiang Mai International Airport, or the Phuket International Airport. To expedite the immigration process faster, you can also apply for an electronic visa on arrival (E-VOA) at the VFS Global website before leaving for Thailand.
   
   

2. Submit the Documents
   
   Once you arrive at the immigration desk, you can present your passport and other supporting documents as requested by the immigration officer. You must ensure that you check your documents carefully before submission to enhance your chances of obtaining a visa on arrival.
   
   

3. Answer any Questions
   
   The immigration officer may also ask you certain questions concerning your travel. The questions can range from your reason for visit, to your duration of stay, proof of accommodation, insurance, etc. You must answer these questions truthfully and furnish the appropriate documents to back your statements.
   
   

4. Pay the Visa Fee
   
   You can then pay the visa on arrival fee, which is 2,000 Baht. You are required to pay this fee in cash only. Also, the visa fee is non-refundable. Note that this fee is subject to revision. You must therefore check for the latest fees before travelling and carry the cash accordingly.
   
   

5. Collect your Stamped Passport
   
   Once you complete the above-mentioned formalities, you will receive your passport with an entry stamp from the immigration bureau. You can now enter the country and enjoy your stay in Thailand.
   
   

Application Process for Pre-approved Thailand Visa for Indians

You can apply for a Thailand Tourist visa from India on the VFS Global website. The application procedure for a short-term, single, or multi-entry Thailand Tourist Visa for Indians involves the following steps:

1. Select the Visa Type and Application Centre
   
   You must first select the visa application centre in India closest to your home city. The available options include the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi or the Royal Thai Consulate General in Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai. You can then proceed to select your tourist visa type between single and multiple entry.
   
   

2. Fill the Visa Application Form
   
   Download the visa application form from the website, fill it up with the required details, and print the complete form. Ensure to review your furnished information for correctness and completeness as errors can immigration officers to delay or reject your application.
   
   

3. Schedule an Appointment
   
   You can now schedule an appointment with the nearest Thai embassy. Alternatively, you can visit the visa application centre without an appointment by opting for the walk-in facility (if you know the opening hours). You can contact VFS Global Services and confirm the same.
   
   

4. Visit VFS Global for Visa Formalities
   
   On the scheduled appointment date, you must visit VFS Global Services to complete the visa formalities. You must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your designated appointment slot and submit your documents. You may also be required to complete the biometric process.
   
   

5. Pay Visa Fee
   
   At this stage, you need to pay the visa fee to complete your visa application. The visa fee varies based on the Thailand visa category. A single-entry tourist visa attracts a fee of ₹2,500 and a multiple entry tourist visa costs ₹12,000. In addition, you will incur a service charge of ₹500 per application, which is inclusive of 9% SGST and 9% CGST. If you opt for value-added services like SMS, courier, and premium lounge facilities, the fees will add up. All the charges are non-refundable even if the Thailand Embassy refuses your visa application.
   
   

6. Track Your Visa Application Status
   
   Once you complete the application process, the Thailand embassy takes it forward for processing. It can take anywhere between a couple of days to a few weeks for your application to be processed. You will receive an email update once the decision is made. If you cannot access email, you may also receive updates via SMS notifications. You can check with your visa application centre for the availability of such services. Alternatively, you can track your application online on the VFS Global portal. You must provide your passport number, date of birth, and enter the captcha code to check your visa status.
   
   

7. Collect Your Passport
   
   After the Thai embassy makes a decision regarding your application for a Thailand tourist visa, you can retrieve your passport, from the visa application centre or opt for the passport courier services by paying an additional fee. When collecting the passport in person, you must remember to bring the receipt provided at by VFS Global at the time of application, along with a government-approved identity proof document.
   
   

Get HDFC Bank Forex Cards For Effortless Forex Transactions

On your exotic trip to Thailand, you will incur various expenses ranging from entry tickets to various attractions and public transit zones, to food bills, shopping costs, and more. You can efficiently manage these payments with a swipe/tap of your HDFC Bank Forex Card. The Forex Card allows you to conveniently store Thai Baht and lock-in the forex rates, so you never have to worry about currency rate fluctuations. Besides, you can load the card with multiple foreign currencies, at any given time. You can easily purchase Thai Baht from HDFC Bank and load your Forex Card before embarking on your trip.

Make effortless payments and enjoy your overseas adventures with HDFC Bank Forex Cards.


​​​​​​​*Terms and conditions apply. The information provided in this article is generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances.