India has made travel easier for visitors from Thailand by introducing a free 30 day e Tourist visa for Thai nationals, a move expected to support tourism and encourage more short leisure trips between the two countries.
The arrangement was announced by the Embassy of India in Bangkok on September 11, 2026. Under the new rule, eligible Thai travellers can apply for a 30 day e Tourist visa without paying the usual visa fee. The facility will remain available until December 31, 2027, unless revised earlier.
What the New Visa Rule Means for Thai Travellers
The new visa arrangement gives Thai tourists a 30 day double entry e Tourist visa for India. This means travellers can enter India twice during the visa validity period, offering more flexibility for those planning regional travel or combining India with another nearby destination.
The application process remains online through India’s e Visa system, but the key change is that the visa fee is now waived for Thai nationals travelling for tourism.
For travellers, that removes one more cost and makes short trips to India more convenient.
Why India Is Making Travel Easier
The move comes as tourism links between India and Thailand continue to grow.
Both countries are already popular with travellers looking for relatively short international holidays, cultural experiences, food, beaches and shopping. Easier visa access can further support this traffic, especially for spontaneous leisure trips and repeat visits.
For Thai travellers, destinations such as Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi, Bodh Gaya, Mumbai, Goa and Keralaremain among the most attractive options depending on whether the trip is focused on heritage, spirituality, food, beaches or culture.
The double entry facility could also be useful for travellers who want to combine India with destinations in South Asia before returning.
Thailand Is Also Easing Entry for Indians
The policy is part of a broader effort to make travel between the two countries simpler.
Thailand is also introducing visa free entry for Indian ordinary passport holders travelling for tourism, allowing stays of up to 30 days under its updated entry policy.
Indian travellers, however, should still be prepared with the required supporting documents. These can include a passport with sufficient validity, confirmed return tickets, hotel bookings and a travel itinerary. Thailand also requires travellers to complete its Digital Arrival Card before arrival.
A Boost for Short Haul Tourism
The new visa arrangement could be particularly useful for travellers planning short international breaks.
Flights between India and Thailand are widely available, and both markets have strong demand for leisure travel. Reducing visa costs and simplifying entry can encourage more weekend breaks, family holidays and short cultural trips.
For India, it also creates an opportunity to attract more Thai tourists to destinations beyond the major metro cities and build stronger tourism movement across heritage, wellness, spiritual and nature based circuits.
What Travellers Should Remember
Thai nationals planning a holiday in India should still apply for the e Tourist visa before travel, even though the fee has been removed. The visa is not the same as completely visa free entry, so travellers should complete the online process and check the latest requirements before booking.
With the free 30 day India e Tourist visa for Thai nationals now available until the end of 2027, travel between India and Thailand has become easier and more affordable, adding another push to tourism ties between the two countries.
