Thailand retains visa-free entry for Indians, reduces stay limit to 30 days
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Thailand has decided to retain visa-free entry for Indian passport holders but has reduced the maximum permitted stay from 60 days to 30 days as part of efforts to promote tourism while tightening immigration controls.
The decision reverses an earlier proposal approved in May 2026 to end visa-free entry for citizens of 93 countries, including India, and require them to obtain a Visa-on-Arrival or e-Visa before travelling.
According to reports, the Thai government retained the visa exemption after concerns that the proposed change had created confusion among travellers and contributed to a decline in bookings from India. Tourist arrivals from India fell by nearly 20 per cent, according to Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Under the revised policy, Indian tourists can continue to enter Thailand without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. Travellers planning to stay longer will be required to obtain the appropriate visa before departure.
Thai authorities said the new 30-day limit better reflects the travel patterns of most Indian tourists, who typically spend between five and 10 days in the country.
The revised regulations will come into effect 15 days after they are published in Thailand's Royal Gazette. Visitors who enter Thailand before the implementation date will be allowed to remain for the duration granted under the existing rules.
The move also reflects Thailand's efforts to safeguard one of its key tourism markets. India is among the country's top three sources of international tourists, along with China and Malaysia.
At the same time, Thai authorities said the shorter visa-free stay is intended to prevent misuse of the exemption by foreign nationals involved in illegal businesses, overstaying, or transnational scam operations.