Thailand Ends 60-Day Visa-Free Entry For Indians; Visa On Arrival Mandatory For 15-Day Stay
Thailand Ends 60-Day Visa-Free Entry For Indians; Visa On Arrival Mandatory For 15-Day Stay
Thailand has scrapped its 60-day visa-free scheme for Indian travellers as part of a major overhaul of entry rules aimed at tightening security and curbing illegal activities.
Thailand has announced a major change in its visa policy that will directly impact Indian travellers planning long holidays or workation stays in the country. The Thai government has officially ended the 60-day visa-free entry scheme for citizens of over 90 countries, including India, and shifted Indian travellers to the Visa on Arrival (VoA) category.
The revised framework was approved by Thailand’s Cabinet on May 19, 2026 as part of a wider effort to simplify visa categories, tighten security screening and crack down on illegal employment, overstays and transnational crimes involving foreign nationals.
Under the new rules, Indian citizens will no longer be allowed visa-free entry into Thailand. Instead, travellers from India will now have to obtain a Visa on Arrival at designated immigration checkpoints by submitting the required documents. The permitted stay under the VoA category will be limited to 15 days.
Thailand had introduced the 60-day visa-free entry for Indians in July 2024 to revive tourism after the pandemic. The scheme had become extremely popular among Indian tourists, especially digital nomads, remote workers and long-stay travellers who preferred extended stays in destinations like Bangkok, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai.
However, Thai authorities later raised concerns over misuse of the relaxed visa system. According to officials, several foreign nationals were found involved in illegal businesses, unregistered hotels, unauthorised schools, drug-related offences and other criminal activities. Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the government now wants to focus not only on tourist numbers but also on attracting “quality tourists” while balancing security and economic interests.
The updated policy follows a new principle described by Thai authorities as “One Country, One Visa Privilege.” Under this system, each country will be assigned only one visa exemption category. Thailand has also reduced the number of countries under its 30-day visa exemption scheme and introduced a separate 15-day exemption category for select nations.
The new rules will come into effect 15 days after they are officially published in Thailand’s Royal Gazette. Travellers who are already in Thailand under the existing visa-free scheme, or those entering before the revised rules are implemented, will still be allowed to stay until their approved duration expires.
For Indian tourists planning short vacations, the change may have limited impact as the 15-day Visa on Arrival remains available. However, travellers planning extended holidays, remote work stays or multi-city travel across Thailand may now need to reconsider their itinerary duration and visa planning.
Thailand remains one of the most preferred international destinations for Indian tourists due to its beaches, nightlife, affordability and easy connectivity. The country is still projecting around 33.5 million foreign tourist arrivals this year despite the tightening of visa rules.
Disclaimer: Visa rules and entry regulations may change further based on government notifications. Travellers are advised to check official Thai immigration updates before planning their trip.
