The government of Thailand implemented a visa-waiver scheme for Indian passport holders. Starting November 10, 2023, Indian nationals were allowed to visit Thailand for 30 days, without a visa. This visa waiver was initially available up to May 10, 2024, and was later extended up to November 11, 2024.
Later, w.e.f. July 15, 2024, the maximum period of stay in a single visit with visa free entry was increased to 60 days. The 60-days stay or visa free entry is not a permanent scheme for Indian nationals, and is available only up to November 11, 2024, or until such time as allowed by the Thai government.
What Visa-Free Entry Means
What visa-free entry means is, if you have an Indian passport, you don’t need a visa to enter Thailand. No sticker visa and no visa on arrival. After arrival at a Thai airport, you can go straight to immigration. The immigration officer will put a stamp on your passport which shows permitted entry for 60 days.
This visa exemption is significant for two reasons: One, it increases the period of stay to 60 days, which was 15 days under the visa on arrival scheme. And two, it results in a direct saving of the visa fee, which was a minimum of 2000 Baht, and 2200 Baht if someone opted for the fast track visa.
Visa-Free Entry Rules and Requirements
Visa-free travel does not mean there are no rules or formalities left to comply with. When you go to the immigration counter for the entry stamp, there will be a set of rules and requirements to follow, as under:
1. Passport with a remaining validity of six months, and two blank pages.
2. Boarding card of the arrival flight
3. Confirmed return or onward journey air ticket
4. Confirmed hotel bookings for the entire period of stay in Thailand
5. Proof of funds
6. The purpose of the visit must be tourism only.
Let us see these requirements in detail:
1. Passport
Your passport should have a minimum remaining validity of six months on the day of your arrival in Thailand. The passport should also have at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
2. Boarding Card
The boarding card of the flight on which you arrive in Thailand is an important document which shows the details of your inward travel, and is examined by the immigration officer. Keep your boarding card safe, and present it when asked for.
3. Return Air Ticket
You need to have a confirmed return or onward journey air ticket for travel within 60 days, including the dates of arrival and exit. A plan to exit Thailand via a land crossing may not be accepted. Carry a printed copy.
4. Confirmed Hotel Bookings
Confirmed and verifiable hotel bookings are needed for the entire period of stay in Thailand. Carry printed copies of all hotel confirmation vouchers or emails.
5. Proof of funds
Any special proof of funds requirement for travel under the visa-waiver scheme as not been announced. However, going by the funds requirement specified for the other countries which enjoy visa-exemption in Thailand, you need to have at least 20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family. Read more here.
(The proof of funds requirement was earlier 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family. It got doubled after the maximum period of stay under the visa free scheme was increased to 60 days).
The proof of funds, if demanded, has to be shown in cash only. It can be either in Thai Baht, or USD, or another popular currency. If you are planning to stay longer than 15 days, you may like to carry adequate funds.
6. Purpose of Visit
The purpose of your visit has to be tourism only. Any type of employment in Thailand is prohibited on tourist visa.
YouTube Video
I have posted a YouTube video on this visa-free travel scheme. You may watch it at this link: Thailand Visa-Free Travel For Indian Nationals
Conclusion
I have traveled to Thailand under this visa-waiver scheme in December 2023 and June 2024, and can vouch that the information given in this article is correct.
For or any more information, clarification, or feedback, please write a comment below. I will be happy to respond.
Thank you for reading.
Hi, I am traveling from India to Taiwan with a layover of 9 hours in Thailand. I want to go sightseeing in Thailand during my layover, but I won’t stay in a hotel for such a short time. Do I need to show proof of hotel bookings?
Hi Shivang. No, for that you don’t need to show hotel booking. Just show them your air ticket for flying out within the next few hours.
Hi, do you know if visa free is applicable for multiple entry
Hi
Yes, the visa-free policy allows multiple entry for travel by air, as long the policy is in force. However, if you plan to enter via a land-border, then perhaps entry is allowed only twice per year.
How was it sir? I am traveling to Thailand early next week and was wondering as an Indian passport holder. Thank you
Hi Zaheer. I have traveled in December 2023 under this scheme, and just had to pass through immigration. It was quick, took just two minuted at the immigration counter. So, after landing, go straight to immigration. My YouTube video on this subject has all the details: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84iZ-Y8zJAs