Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has overhauled its visa-exemption scheme, slashing the permitted stay for Indian passport holders from 60 days to 30 days with effect from 15 September 2026. Business Standard, citing the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi, confirmed the move on 21 September. India had been among 93 nationalities allowed a 60-day visa-free visit since 2021, a perk widely used by long-stay tourists, digital nomads and employees on extended assignments. Under the new policy, Indians can still enter without a prior visa but must depart—or obtain the appropriate visa extension—within 30 days. Overstays attract fines of THB 500 (≈ ₹1,150) per day up to THB 20,000, with potential blacklisting. For business travellers, Thailand’s separate provisions remain: urgent technical work of up to 15 days can still be performed under an Urgent Work Notification, while routine meetings require a Non-Immigrant B visa. The change does not affect holders of valid long-term visas, APEC Business Travel Cards or re-entry permits. Indian tour operators foresee limited impact on short holidays but warn that backpackers and students on language courses must restructure plans. Corporates rotating staff through Thai projects should switch to business or work visas to avoid compliance breaches. VFS Global says e-visa processing for Non-B categories currently averages 6–8 working days, so advance planning is essential. Travel managers should update policy documents, revise per-diem calculations for shorter default stays and monitor future Thai immigration announcements; industry insiders hint that a points-based long-term digital-nomad visa could be unveiled in early 2027 as Thailand balances tourism promotion with border control.
Source: Business Standard
