THAILAND ENTRY GUIDE

Thailand visa types for Indian travellers: tourism, work and study

A holiday, a job and a course of study need different preparation. For tourism on an Indian ordinary passport, first see whether your trip fits the 30-day visa exemption effective from 15 September 2026. Tourist entry does not replace the permission needed to work or study. Decide what you will do and how long you intend to stay, then read the official requirements for that purpose.

Visa exemption, TDAC and visas have different roles

Visa exemption allows eligible travellers to enter without obtaining a visa in advance under the applicable conditions. TDAC is an online arrival declaration. A visa is applied for according to a purpose such as tourism, study or work. Completing TDAC does not issue a visa.

Indian ordinary passport holders travelling for tourism can use the up-to-30-day visa exemption effective from 15 September 2026, subject to the applicable entry conditions. Check each traveller’s passport separately. Reading an India-market English page does not make Indian passport rules apply to a companion of another nationality.

Choose a category matching your actual purpose

Decide what you will do in Thailand, then read the corresponding category below. The official e-Visa site separates purposes such as tourism, work and study. Similar category names do not mean identical eligibility or document requirements. Read the detailed requirements for your actual activity.

Tourist Visa
Tourism and holidays. Distinguish single and multiple entries.
Work & Business
Employment or business. Visa-exempt tourist entry or TDAC alone does not authorise employment.
Studying / Non-Immigrant ED
Study at schools or educational institutions and eligible education or training.
Retirement · Non-Immigrant O / O-A
For applicants meeting the category’s age, financial and other requirements; conditions differ by visa.
Destination Thailand Visa · DTV
Eligible Workcation and Thai soft-power activities. A separate category from a tourist visa.
Transit Visa
Eligible transit, sports or crew purposes under the relevant category.
Long-Term Resident · LTR
Long-term residence for applicants meeting its eligibility requirements.

Use Thai e-Visa and the responsible mission

Create an account at thaievisa.go.th, choose the appropriate visa category and complete the application. Upload the requested documents, complete the payment procedure for your responsible mission and submit. Monitor your account and email for requests for further documents. Once approved, keep the visa confirmation and prepare the required printed copy for travel.

When applying through a Thai mission in India, you must be physically present in India throughout the entire application process, not merely hold an Indian passport. The September 2026 New Delhi FAQ requires proof of your current location, such as an Aadhaar card, house agreement or monthly electricity bill, and submission to the mission responsible for that location. New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai have separate jurisdictions. If you are abroad, use the mission responsible for your actual application location.

Visa validity is different from permission to stay

Visa validity is the period during which the visa can be used. Permission to stay is the time granted after entering Thailand. A tourist visa’s use-by period and the duration of one admitted visit are different.

Approval does not mean you can remain until the last day of the visa’s validity. After immigration, check the actual admitted-until date in your passport and plan departure around it. An extension requires a separate application and decision; applying alone does not extend your stay.

Frequently asked questions

Does every tourist need a tourist visa?

If your tourist trip on an Indian ordinary passport meets the visa-exemption conditions, you do not need a separate tourist visa for a stay of up to 30 days under the rule effective from 15 September 2026. A longer stay or a work or study trip requires the appropriate eligibility and visa checks. Do not apply Indian rules to a companion with another passport.

Is DTV the same as a tourist visa?

No. They are separate categories. DTV covers eligible Workcation or Thai soft-power activities; tourist visas cover tourism. Check the qualifications and documents for the activity you intend to undertake.

Where do I apply for a Thai visa?

Use the official Thai e-Visa website. Applicants applying through a Thai mission in India must remain physically in India throughout the process, provide evidence of their current location and select the mission whose jurisdiction covers it. Follow that mission’s payment and document instructions. Nationality alone does not establish application jurisdiction.

Keep planning your trip

Prepare for entry to Thailand →Complete TDAC on your phone →Thailand tourist visa requirements →Choose where to go in Thailand →

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