Thailand continues visa-free travel for Indians, reduces permitted stay to 30 days
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The latest decision reverses the uncertainty created by Thailand's earlier proposal to discontinue visa-free entry for Indian travellers and shift them to the Visa on Arrival scheme.
The Royal Thai Government has confirmed that Indian passport holders will continue to enjoy visa-free entry to Thailand. However, the maximum permitted stay under the visa exemption scheme has been revised to 30 days, replacing the earlier 60-day allowance. The decision was approved by the Thai Cabinet as part of a wider review of the country's visa exemption framework.
The latest decision reverses the uncertainty created by Thailand's earlier proposal to discontinue visa-free entry for Indian travellers and shift them to the Visa on Arrival scheme. The proposed changes, along with stricter entry requirements such as mandatory submission of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), proof of sufficient funds (20000 THB), confirmed accommodation and onward travel documents, had raised concerns among travellers and the travel trade fraternity. With the new decision, visa-free entry has been retained, although the permitted stay has been reduced to 30 days.
The Thai government said the revised policy is intended to facilitate tourism while strengthening immigration controls and preventing misuse of visa privileges. The government also clarified that the visa-free facility for Indian travellers remains in place for now, offering certainty to one of Thailand's key inbound tourism markets. Notably, as of mid-June 2025, over one million Indian visitors travelled to Thailand and numbers continued to soar this year as well.
(Credit: Various sources)
