Thailand Visa for Indians – Types, Fees, How to Apply & Visa on Arrival

Important Update – Thailand Government has waived off Visa on Arrival fees till Apr 30′ 2020. With Exemption, Fee of 2,000 baht, or nearly Rs 4,400, is waived for travellers from 21 countries, including India. To experience Thailand Visa on Arrival experience, I applied for Visa on Arrival twice during my Vietnam Trip in (I had transit time of 10 hours at Bangkok Airport both during onward and return flights). While it took me almost 2 hours to go through Visa on Arrival Process (due to heavy rush) but Visa on Arrival was completely free. No Fee charged !! Hope this helps you plan your Thailand trip!!

Thailand is a one of the most favorite destination for Indian tourists. A few hours flight away, most people go to South Thailand to experience its live beaches while few head to North Thailand to explore its natural beauty and vibrant culture. Visa on Arrival of applying before hand at Thai Embassy/Consulate are 2 ways of getting Thailand Visa for Indians

Click here to read all blogs from our Thailand backpacking trip.

Getting a Visa is one of the most important factor for planning your Thailand Trip. In this blog, we have consolidated all the information for you to get your Thailand Visa easily. We have also compared different visa application processes so that you can easily decide which one would suit your travel needs better.

Thailand Visa for Indians – 3 Ways to Get Thai Visa

There are 3 ways that Indian citizens can apply and get their Thailand Visa. As of now only first 2 processes are available for getting Thailand Visa for Indians while Thai Government has announced launch of E-Visa in 2019. A quick summary of each process is below –

1. Thailand Visa on Arrival for Indians– This is a 15 day Visa issued to citizens from selected 21 countries once you land in Thailand. You can submit your documents, pay Visa fees and get your Thailand Visa at airport or any of 48 immigration points once you land there. (Read more – How to get Thailand Visa on Arrival for Indian Tourists )
   • Thailand Online Visa on Arrival (E-Visa on Arrival) – Recently Thai Government launched an E-Visa on Arrival facility. You can apply for your Visa on Arrival online and get pre-approval. Once you land in Thailand, just head to E-Visa counter and get your Visa on Arrival. (Read more – Thailand E-Visa on Arrival – Should you even apply online for Visa on Arrival? )
2. Apply for Thai Visa beforehand in India – In case, you are looking for a longer duration Visa or do not want to stand in queue after landing in Thailand, you can apply for Thailand Visa from India beforehand. Usually fees for this kind of Thailand Visa is also lesser compared to getting your Thailand Visa on Arrival. Read more – How to get your Thailand Visa in India (Bangalore/Chennai)
3. Thailand E-Visa (To be launched) – Thailand Government has announced that they would launch Complete E-Visa in 2019 (rather than E-Visa on Arrival). Plan is to launch it for China, Britain and France citizens in 2019. Once launched, this will be your complete 60 days Visa (Visa on Arrival is valid only for 15 days) and you can directly head to immigration once in Thailand (skipping all Visa on Arrival processes). When launched, Thailand E-Visa applications will be made via https://www.thaievisa.go.th/ but foreigners will also still be able to apply for a visa in person at a Thai embassy or consulate.

We have explained each of these three processes below in detail. Also, we have written separate detailed blogs on each Visa process to help our fellow travellers plan their Thailand Trip better.

1. Thailand Visa on Arrival for Indians

This is the most preferred way to get Thailand Visa for Indians. This is a 15-day Thailand Visa that one can apply after landing in Thailand and get it on the spot. This type of Visa also serves the need of Indian Tourists heading to Thailand for a short trip.

Below are key details about Thailand Visa on Arrival for Indians in Thailand. We have also written a detailed blog which you may read here – Thailand Visa on Arrival for Indian Tourists

Thailand Visa on Arrival Application Process

Bangkok Visa on Arrival process is pretty simple both at Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang International Airport. Once you land in Bangkok, there is a separate zone marked for Visa on Arrival Application. You can easily find the same or ask any airport employee and they will direct you. Just reach to the Visa on Arrival Application Zone and get in a line with all your documents. Line is usually quite long and it takes around an hour or two in queue.

Once you submit your documents, you are given a token and asked to wait in next section. For me, my Thailand Visa on Arrival was processed within 5 minutes post document submission and my token number was called to collect my passport with Thailand Visa Stamped. Once you get your Visa stamped, you can proceed to next section – Immigration Counters. It took me another 10 minutes to get my Thailand Immigration stamp.

Documents required for Thailand Visa on Arrival

1. Passport with minimum 30 days Validity
2. Completed Visa on Arrival Application Form (Form TM 88)
3. A recent photograph (4×6 cm) to be affixed on Form TM 88
4. Print out of your onward and return tickets
5. Print out of your hotel/hostel booking in Thailand
6. Proof of means of living in Thailand – 10,000 Bahts per person/ 20,000 Bahts per family
7. Completed Arrival and Departure Card (Form TM 6)

Thailand Visa on Arrival Fee for Indians

Thailand Visa on Arrival Fees is 2000 Bahts per person. Please note that Thailand Visa on Arrival fees is paid in Thai Bahts only. In case, you want to avoid long queue for Visa on Arrival Application, you may also get into Priority Queue by paying extra (usually 200 Bahts per person).

Thailand E-Visa on Arrival (Online Visa on Arrival)

Thailand E-Visa on Arrival means applying for Visa on Arrival online and get pre-approval for your Visa on Arrival (even before landing in Thailand) Once you land in Thailand, just head to E-Visa counter (A separate counter next to Visa on Arrival counters) and get your Visa on Arrival. Since this is online pre-approval for your Thailand Visa on Arrival, so fees are same as for Thailand Visa on Arrival i.e. 2000 Bahts per person. However, there is an additional fee of 525 Bahts for online processing. Thailand Immigration has launched a dedicated website where you can apply for Thailand E-Visa on arrival – https://www.evisathailand.com/.

We do not suggest applying for Thailand Visa on Arrival online. Rather we will suggest to apply for your Visa on Arrival once your land in Thailand since you can get in priority line just by paying paying 200 Bahts while online Visa on Arrival fee is 525 Bahts (in addition to Visa Fee). Read more about Visa on Arrival online Application Process and why we we do not recommend it here on our separate blog – Thailand Visa on Arrival Online (Thai E-Visa on Arrival) – Should you even apply online for Visa on Arrival?

2. Thailand Visa for Indians – Apply beforehand in India

Applying beforehand at Thai Embassy/Consulate is another option to get Thailand Visa for Indians. You can visit either Thai Embassy or nearest designated points (usually VFS Global Offices) to apply for your Visa. We have written in detail about our experience of applying Thailand Visa in Bangalore which you may read here – How to get your Thailand Tourist Visa in India (Bangalore/ Chennai)

Applying for your Visa from India has its advantages –

1. Avoid long Visa on Arrival Queue – Visa on Arrival queue remains pretty long and at times it takes hours to get your Visa on Arrival. So get your Visa in advance and start your Thailand Trip on happy note.
2. Lower Visa Fee – There is a fee difference of 1000 Thai Baht per person if you apply for Thailand Tourist Visa upfront in Bangalore (Compared to Visa on Arrival Fees once you land in Thailand). Thailand Visa fee at Bangalore VFS Global office is 1000 Baht while fee for ‘Visa on Arrival’ is 2000 Baht . So, you save almost 1000 Baht per person. This becomes substantial when you are travelling in a group.
3. Hassle Free Quick Application: VFS Bangalore opens at 8 AM and we were able to complete Application Process within an hour. We collected our Passport with Visa stamped after 5 days from the same location.

Where to apply for Thailand Visa in India

You can visit either Thai Embassy or nearest designated points (usually VFS Global Offices) to apply for your Visa. We had applied for our Thailand Visa in Bangalore at VFS Global Center in Shivajinagar. Both Indian residents and foreign nationals applying for Transit, Tourist and Non-Immigrant Thailand Visas can submit their applications at Thailand Visa Application Centre at VFS Globale Center, Bangalore.

Documents to apply for Thailand Visa for Indians

You can click here to download the complete checklist of the documents required for applying for your Thailand Tourist Visa. Here are our comments – 

1. Application Form: You can either fill the Thailand Visa Application form online here or can download a copy, fill in paper and carry with you. For more details, you may refer vfs Thailand website here.
2. Colour Photographs: Please adhere to guidelines as specified in Photo Specifications section here. Please go for Matter paper print for your photographs. Even if you are opting for Visa on Arrival, please carry photographs to avoid any last minute hassles.
3. Thailand Visa Fee: Visa fee of INR 2500 is accepted only either by Demand Draft or Cash. No other mode of payment is accepted. 
   You may find updated details about Thailand Visa fees in ‘VISA FEES AND LOGISTIC FEES’ section here. 
4. Hotel Tickets and Flight Tickets: You need one copy for every person whom you are applying Visa for.
5. Bank Statement: This is must and should be attested by bank to show your means for travel. Bank statement with enough account balance for one person in a group is enough. He/she only needs to give a declaration of sponsoring others for the trip.
6. Evidence of Occupation: You may skip these documents. These are not mandatory.

What is Thailand Visa Fee for Indians when you apply in India

If you opt to apply for Thailand Visa in advance in India only, fee for Tourist Visa (single entry) is now 2500 Indian Rupees which is  almost half of the fee of INR 4000 (2000 Thai Bhats) what you pay for ‘Visa on Arrival’. They charge INR 315 per person service charges. Visa processing takes 5 working days and you may choose to collect your passport yourself. Otherwise, you may also get it couriered at your address by paying INR 215 per person. Payment is accepted only in cash. There are additional INR 80 per person charges in case you opt for SMS. No other mode of payment (DD/Credit/Debit Cards) are accepted. You may find updated details about Thailand Visa fees in ‘VISA FEES AND LOGISTIC FEES’ section here. 

Above fee is basis our application at VFS Bangalore. Charges are almost similar for all locations across India.

3. Thailand E-Visa (To be launched in 2019)

Meanwhile, Thailand Government has announced that they will launch issuing Complete E-Visa in 2019 (rather than E-Visa on Arrival). Plan is to launch it first for China, Britain and France citizens in early 2019.

Once launched, this will be a useful mode of getting Thailand Visa for Indians since you will have your complete 60 days Visa (Visa on Arrival is valid only for 15 days) and you can directly head to immigration once in Thailand (skipping all Visa on Arrival processes). It will be far smoother process compared to current Visa on Arrival online process. We hope that fees for E-Visa is similar to applying by a visit to Thai Embassy or Consulate. Then it will become the best form of Visa application for Thailand. When launched, e-visa applications will be made via https://www.thaievisa.go.th/  but foreigners will also still be able to apply for a tourist visa in person at a Thai embassy or consulate. We are sure that mode will soon be extended for getting Thailand Visa for Indians also.

4. Comparison of all kinds of Thailand Visa

To help you select which Thailand Visa suits you best, we have compared all types of Thailand Visa for Indians below. We have not yet included E-Visa since it is not yet launched for Indian citizens.

	Thailand Visa on Arrival	Thailand Online Visa on Arrival (E-VoA)	Applying Thailand Visa at Embassy/Consulate
Fees	2000 Bahts Per Person	(2000 Bahts + 525 Bahts Online processing Fee) Per Person	INR 2500 (~1200 Bahts + INR 400 (~200 Bahts) processing fee per person
Fee Comparison	Medium	Highest	Lowest
Application Process	After landing in Thailand	Apply Online before leaving for Thailand but still have to Visa on Arrival Counters	Visit Thai Embassy/Consulate
Application Process Efforts	Long Queues (1-2 Hours). Can be skipped by paying 200 Bahts for Priority Lane	Online Application (~0.5 Hours)	1-2 Hours at Thai Embassy/Consulate. Sit and wait for your turn. No queues
Preparation	Print out of Tickets,Hotel Booking and Filling up 2 simple forms (TM 88 and TM 6)	Online Submission of Passport copy, Tickets and Hotel Booking. No TM 88 Form Required.	Takes submit efforts as you need to submit your attested bank statement
Time Taken	Application Time: ~1-2 Hours in Queue Processing Time: ~10 minutes	Application Time: ~ 15 minutes online Processing Time: ~ 24 – 72 hours	Application Time: ~ 1 hour at Consulate Processing Time: ~ 5 Days. Collect back your passport and Visa
Read more	How to get Thailand Visa on Arrival for Indian Tourists	Thailand Visa on Arrival Online (Thai E-Visa on Arrival)	How to get your Thailand Tourist Visa in India

Our Recommendation: We suggest applying Thailand Visa in India itself. It helps you save good amount of money (~750 Bahts per person) and also process is pretty smooth. Savings become substantial in case you are travelling in a group. If you are not lazy to compile documents and visit Consulate/Embassy, then certainly you can go ahead for Thailand Visa on Arrival after landing there. But applying online for Visa on Arrival does not seem to have any advantages to us, so you may skip that altogether.

We hope that this helps you plan your Thailand Trip better and get your Visa smoothly, quickly and also saving some money. Please drop us comments in case you need any additional information. We will be glad to help you.

Happy Exploration !!