Thailand has removed the 60-day visa-free entry facility for Indian travellers. Indians can still visit Thailand, but they will now need to use the Visa on Arrival option.
Under Visa on Arrival, Indian tourists can stay in Thailand for up to 15 days. This makes the rule more suitable for short holidays rather than long vacations.
The new rule will come into effect 15 days after it is officially published in Thailand’s Royal Gazette.
What Indian Travellers Need To Know
Indian tourists will no longer get 60 days of visa-free stay in Thailand. Instead, they can apply for a Visa on Arrival at selected immigration checkpoints after reaching Thailand.
This means travellers should keep their documents ready before flying, including passport, return ticket, hotel booking, photographs and other required travel details.
For travellers planning a longer Thailand holiday, the 15-day Visa on Arrival limit may not be enough. In such cases, they may need to check Thailand’s e-Visa or other available visa options before booking.
Why Thailand Changed The Rule
Thailand had earlier introduced the 60-day visa-free stay to attract more tourists and support tourism growth. India was added to this scheme in July 2024, which made Thailand easier and more flexible for Indian travellers.
However, the Thai government has now decided to revise the system due to concerns related to:
- Security issues
- Illegal employment
- Nominee businesses
- Transnational crime
- Misuse of long visa-free stays
Thailand is now focusing more on attracting “quality tourists” instead of only increasing tourist numbers.
What Has Changed In Thailand’s Visa Policy?
Thailand’s Cabinet approved the revised visa rules on May 19, 2026. The new system follows the idea of “one country, one visa privilege.”
This means each country will now fall under one specific visa category, making the visa process clearer and more organised.
Under the updated framework, Thailand will:
- Remove the 60-day visa-free scheme for all eligible countries
- Reduce the 30-day visa exemption list from 57 to 54 countries
- Introduce a new 15-day visa exemption category for three countries
- Limit the Visa on Arrival list to only four countries
Will Existing Travellers Be Affected?
Travellers who are already in Thailand under the current visa-free scheme will not be affected immediately. They can stay until their approved stay period ends.
Travellers visiting Thailand before the new rules officially begin may also be allowed under the existing system.
Once the new rules come into effect, visitors will need to follow the revised visa exemption, bilateral agreement or e-Visa rules.
Updated Thailand Visa Categories
| Visa Category | Applicable Countries | Stay / Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on Arrival | India, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Serbia | Indian travellers have been moved to the Visa on Arrival category. |
| 30-Day Visa Exemption | Australia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Germany, France, Italy, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands | Available for 54 countries. |
| 15-Day Visa Exemption | Seychelles, Maldives, Mauritius | Applicable for these 3 countries. |
| 90-Day Reciprocal Visa Exemption | Argentina, Peru, Chile, Brazil, South Korea | Available under reciprocal visa exemption rules. |
| 30-Day Reciprocal Visa Exemption | China, Hong Kong, Russia, Laos, Macau, Timor-Leste, Kazakhstan | Available under reciprocal visa exemption rules. |
| 14-Day Reciprocal Visa Exemption | Cambodia, Myanmar | Applicable for these countries. |
Final Takeaway
Thailand remains a popular and easy destination for Indian travellers, but the entry rules have now changed.
The earlier 60-day visa-free stay for Indians has been removed. Indian tourists can still visit Thailand through Visa on Arrival, but the stay will be limited to 15 days.
Travellers planning a Thailand trip should check the latest official visa rules before booking flights, hotels or tour packages.