Less than two years after dramatically expanding visa-free entry, Thailand’s Cabinet has quietly rolled back the 60-day exemption for Indian passport-holders. Effective 15 June 2026, Indians will again need to obtain a Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) – or apply online for an e-visa – before passing through Thai immigration. The decision is part of a broader policy shift that removed the temporary waiver for 93 nationalities in an effort to curb abuse of tourist visas and to steer visitor flows toward higher-spending segments. Travel agents in Mumbai and Delhi told The Thaiger that demand for Thailand remains robust because the country’s price advantage, flight connectivity and varied product mix still outweigh the minor inconvenience of filing a VoA application and paying a ฿2,000 fee. “Most of our clients stay 5-7 nights for weddings, MICE events or wellness retreats; they don’t need a 60-day stamp,” said Amit Gilani of TravelButler. He noted that the e-visa—available for ฿1,000—allows travellers to clear immigration more quickly and can be obtained within 24 hours.
![Thailand reinstates Visa-on-Arrival requirement for Indian travellers, ends 60-day visa-free entry]()
To help travellers and corporate travel planners navigate this new landscape, VisaHQ’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) consolidates the latest Thai entry requirements, fees and document checklists, and offers guided assistance for securing e-visas or multiple-entry business visas. Their pre-screening and status-tracking tools can shave precious minutes off airport formalities and reduce the risk of costly application errors.
For Indian corporates, the reinstated VoA means carrying additional documentation (return ticket, hotel confirmation and proof of funds of at least ฿10,000 per person) and scheduling an extra 15–30 minutes at the airport for biometric capture. Carriers such as IndiGo, Air India and Thai Airways have issued briefings to check-in staff to verify that passengers understand the new requirement to avoid last-minute denials at Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is lobbying for a 15-day visa-free window specifically for India and China to protect arrivals targets; however, any decision will rest with the inter-ministerial National Visa Policy Committee later this summer. Until then, mobility managers should update corporate travel policies to reflect the VoA process, budget for the fee, and advise employees to use the official e-visa portal to avoid scam websites that have proliferated since the announcement. Looking ahead, Thai officials signalled that more granular, risk-based visa rules are on the table. If a 15-day exemption is approved, it may be limited to travellers who can show onward tickets and confirmed hotel bookings, mirroring Singapore’s approach. Companies that routinely send project staff to Thailand should monitor policy drafts and consider securing multiple-entry business visas to avoid future whiplash from rapid rule changes.
To help travellers and corporate travel planners navigate this new landscape, VisaHQ’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) consolidates the latest Thai entry requirements, fees and document checklists, and offers guided assistance for securing e-visas or multiple-entry business visas. Their pre-screening and status-tracking tools can shave precious minutes off airport formalities and reduce the risk of costly application errors.
For Indian corporates, the reinstated VoA means carrying additional documentation (return ticket, hotel confirmation and proof of funds of at least ฿10,000 per person) and scheduling an extra 15–30 minutes at the airport for biometric capture. Carriers such as IndiGo, Air India and Thai Airways have issued briefings to check-in staff to verify that passengers understand the new requirement to avoid last-minute denials at Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is lobbying for a 15-day visa-free window specifically for India and China to protect arrivals targets; however, any decision will rest with the inter-ministerial National Visa Policy Committee later this summer. Until then, mobility managers should update corporate travel policies to reflect the VoA process, budget for the fee, and advise employees to use the official e-visa portal to avoid scam websites that have proliferated since the announcement. Looking ahead, Thai officials signalled that more granular, risk-based visa rules are on the table. If a 15-day exemption is approved, it may be limited to travellers who can show onward tickets and confirmed hotel bookings, mirroring Singapore’s approach. Companies that routinely send project staff to Thailand should monitor policy drafts and consider securing multiple-entry business visas to avoid future whiplash from rapid rule changes.
