Thailand Visa for Indians

All applicants must follow the application process to qualify for a visa to Thailand. The Visa application process requires submission of completed form and necessary documents. While submitting the application, all applicants are required to pay the non-refundable visa fee for the application to be processed. Based on the application, eligibility factors, and applicant's requirements, a visa can be approved or rejected on various grounds. Though the application form, eligibility criteria, and requirements differ or each visa category, the following requirements are common for most types of visa application: 

1. Application form - Applicants are required to complete the application form as per the guidelines and regulations specified by MFA.
2. Photograph - The applicant's passport sized photograph (4x6 cm) must be attached to the application form
3. Passport - Original passport with at least six months of validity (from the date of travel) and at least two blank pages (required for visa stamping during entry and exit). In certain situation, individuals without a passport are allowed to submit any other valid travel document recognised by the MFA.
4. Proof of sufficient funds - Applications for specific types of visa needs to be supported with a proof of sufficient funds. The proof will indicate the financial capability of the applicant to bear the cost of entire travel plan.
5. Proof of stay - The proof of stay is one of the necessary documents for various types of visa applications.
6. Bank statement - Applicants may also need to submit the bank statement of past 6 months
7. Tickets - Providing a copy of the confirmed return ticket is also a common part of the application form, however, certain visa categories may only need the intended date of travel.
8. Other documents - Based on the specific category of the visa, applicants are required to provide various types of mandatory documents including letters, approvals, reference, etc.

How to Track Your Thailand Visa Application

To check the status of your visa application, you need to login at the Thai e-visa website. In order to receive your detailed information, you can use your passport number or visa number to check the visa application status.

Validity of Thailand Visa for Indians

Thailand Visas are issued with a validity of three months, six months, one year, and three years by the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate. All visas are issued with the validity printed on it. Additionally, an immigration officer will stamp the visa with the stay period mentioned on it. Based on the visa type and date of entry, the stay period will reflect the arrival date and date of exit. If the visitor has to extend his/her period of stay, an application for extension needs to be carried out at either the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok or at an Immigration office located in the provinces. Visitors with visa extension requirements can visit the Immigration Bureau's official website www.immigration.go.th for more information and online application process.

Types of Thailand Visa

Royal Thai Embassies and Royal Thai Consulates-General issue the following types of visas:

Tourist Visa for Thailand

With this visa, visitors from other countries can enter Thailand for leisure, tourism, business travel, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), medical appointments, or even just for visiting friends who are residents. Travellers with a Tourist Visa are free to visit the country and take in all of its natural beauty, historical sites, and cultural attractions. 

A visitor with a valid Tourist Visa to Thailand may stay for a maximum of 60 days. The visa may be further extended for a maximum of 30 days.

1. Validity: Three months or six months.
2. Period of Stay: The maximum stay for travellers is 60 days. You may request a 30-day extension of the visa.
3. Documents Required:

1. Completed application form
2. Passport that is valid for at least six months

1. Proof of return flight tickets
2. Hotel reservation proof
3. Eight passport-sized photos, no more than six months old
4. Bank statement/proof of funds (minimum 20,000–40,000 Baht per person)

1. Visa Extension: You can submit an application to the Office of Immigration Bureau if you would like to extend your stay in Thailand or modify the type of visa you currently have.  

Business and Employment Visa for Thailand

Non-immigrant B and Non-immigrant IB are the two types of employment visas available in Thailand. These visas are granted to applicants for employment, business opportunities, or company investments. Candidates who are legally permitted to work in Thailand, such as teachers, should select Non-Immigrant B. Individuals who are authorised to invest in specific projects under the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) must apply for Non-immigrant IB. 

These include initiatives involving the provinces, employing local raw materials, and promoting exports. 

1. Validity: Non-immigrant IB Visa – three months, Non-Immigrant B Visa (single-entry) - three months, Non-Immigrant B Visa (multi-entry) - three months up to a year 
2. Period of Stay: The initial period granted to the holders of employment visas is 90 days. The Office of Immigration Bureau may modify the visa to one year if necessary.  
3. Documents Required:

1. Completed application form
2. Eight passport-sized photos, no more than six months old
3. An employment contract that includes information about the work, salary, Date of Joining
4. A letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour. Form WP3 must be submitted by the employer to the Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour, Office of Foreign Workers Administration, or a Provincial Employment Office in the relevant province
5. Educational records and recommendation letters from previous companies of the employer 

1. Visa Extension: Non-immigrant B and IB employment visas can be extended for a maximum of one year. However, some requirements must be fulfilled in order to extend the visa, particularly for category B. The following rules apply to the extension of category B employment visas: 

1. The company needs to capitalise at least 2 million Baht.
2. The company has to be registered in Thailand.
3. There must be four Thai nationals and one foreign employee, or a 4:1 employment ratio.

What is a Smart Visa?

Launched on 1 February 2018, the Smart Visa has been drawing in skilled workers. S-Curve industries like smart electronics, next-generation automotive, digital, medical hub, medical and wellness tourism, robotics, agriculture and biotechnology, etc., are the primary focus of this visa. Enhancing the nation's appeal in the field of science and technology, start-ups, and investors is the goal of the smart visa programme. 

Transit Visa: Using a Transit Visa is one way to see a city in a short period of time. You can apply for this visa if you have a long layover in Thailand while travelling to another location.  

1. Validity: Three months 
2. Period of Stay: You can enter and remain in Thailand for up to 30 days if you apply for a Transit Visa. You must apply for a Transit Visa at least 15 working days prior to the date that you plan to travel to Thailand.
3. Documents Required:

1. Passport-sized photos, no more than six months old
2. Proof of travel to a third country through Thailand
3. Funds for Thailand of at least 20,000 Baht

1. Visa Extension: Depending on your nationality, the Thai immigration office will allow you to extend your Transit Visa on Arrival to Thailand for a maximum of 7 or 10 days. 

Long-Stay Visa for Thailand

Thailand is widely regarded as one of the top retirement destinations. Thailand offers two non-immigrant category visas: Non-Immigrant O-A and Non-Immigrant O-X, which is valid for 10 years to individuals who are 50 years of age or older. Denmark, Finland, Japan, Australia, Germany, Italy, and France are some of the countries for which a Non-Immigrant O-X Visa is available. 

A foreign national applying for a Non-Immigrant O-A Visa has to be a permanent resident of the country in which the application has been submitted.

1. Validity: Non-Immigrant O-A Visa: one year, Non-Immigrant O-X Visa: five years
2. Period of Stay: A five-year permit is granted to travellers holding a Non-Immigrant O-X Visa. The candidate may request a five-year extension after five years. Under Non-Immigrant O-A, the applicant is permitted a one-year stay in Thailand.
3. Documents Required:

Non-Immigrant O-X Visa Requirements

1. Passport that is valid for at least six months
2. Passport-sized photos, no more than six months old
3. Thailand health insurance, at least 40,000 Baht for outpatient care and 400000 Baht for inpatient care

1. Certificate of criminal record and medical certificate (issued no longer than three months)
2. Medical certificate that shows no signs of illness, including leprosy, TB, elephantiasis, and Covid-19
3. Proof of funds, a bank letter confirming your deposit of a minimum of 3 million Baht

Non-Immigrant O-A Visa Details

1. Passport that is valid for at least six months
2. Passport-sized photos, no more than six months old
3. Certificate of criminal record and medical certificate (issued no longer than three months)
4. Bank statement/proof of funds (at least 65,000 Baht)

1. Visa Extension: Extensions of stay are possible for a maximum of one year under the Non-Immigrant O-A Visa and five years under the Non-Immigrant O-X Visa following a five-year period. 

Non-Immigrant ED Visa

One of the best approaches to visit Thailand and learn about its history and culture is to study there. To attend some of the best colleges and universities in Thailand, millions of international students apply for study visas.

1. Validity: Three months
2. Period of Stay: You will be given a 90-day visa even though your study programme in Thailand is for a year. The study visa can be extended at the Thailand Immigration Department.
3. Documents Required:

1. Passport that is valid for at least six months
2. Passport-sized photos, no more than six months old
3. Letter from the college or university verifying your enrolment
4. The institution's or university's registration certificate
5. Approval letter from the authority under the Ministry of Education

1. Visa Extension: Your visa will initially be valid for 90 days. To extend the visa, you need to submit your complete academic records at the immigration office.

Non-Immigrant O Visa

The candidate may enter Thailand with a Non-immigrant O Visa and remain with their Thai family in the following situations. This applies to candidates who are not Thai but do have Thai family members.

1. If you are a Thai national's spouse
2. A child adopted by a Thai national
3. Thai children under the age of 20 years
4. Parent with Thai nationality (at the time of the child's Thai citizenship acquisition)
5. Validity: Three months (single-entry visa)
6. Period of Stay: Unless otherwise directed by the Office of Immigration Bureau, a non-immigrant O is allowed to stay in Thailand for a maximum of 90 days.
7. Documents Required:

1. Passport that is valid for at least six months
2. Passport-sized photos, no more than six months old
3. Relationship proof with the Thai family like marriage certificate
4. Sponsorship/bank statement

1. Visa Extension: Applicants who wish to stay longer than 90 days in Thailand may apply to the Office of Immigration Bureau in Bangkok.

Non-Immigrant F Visa

Foreign nationals holding regular passports who apply for official positions with governmental agencies, embassies, or international organisations are given the category F passport.

1. Validity: Three months (single-entry visa)
2. Period of Stay: Unless otherwise directed by the Office of Immigration Bureau, a non-immigrant F is allowed to stay in Thailand for a maximum of 90 days.
3. Documents Required:

1. Passport that is valid for at least six months

1. Passport-sized photos, no more than six months old
2. Letter from the agency stating the reason for visit

1. Visa Extension: Applicants who wish to stay longer than 90 days in Thailand may apply to the Office of Immigration Bureau in Bangkok.

Thailand Visa Application Methods (Online & Offline)

Online Application - Individuals can apply for a Bangkok visa through the official website of VFS Global. The online visa application form requires basic details of the applicant along with details of the passport. Applicants are required to visit the official VFS Global website - http://www.vfs-thailand.co.in/ to initiate the online visa application. Based on the applicant's location, one of the following Thailand Visa Application Centres should be selected for carrying out the visa application:

1. The Royal Thai Embassy - New Delhi
2. The Royal Thai Consulate General - Chennai
3. The Royal Thai Consulate General - Kolkata
4. The Royal Thai Consulate General - Mumbai

Thailand Visa on Arrival (VOA) for Indians

Indian passport holders are allowed to apply for a VOA for a stay period not exceeding 15 days. The designated entry points in Thailand issue VOA to Indian visitors based on various factors. The application fee of 1,000 Baht is mandatory. Applicants who wish to extend their stay are required to apply for an Extension of Stay from the Immigration Bureau. In order to be eligible for a VOA, the following documents are required:

1. Valid passport with at least 6 months of validity and blank pages for visa stamping.
2. VOA application form with a recent photograph of the applicant
3. Confirmed return tickets within 15 days from the date of entry
4. Proof of accommodation
5. Proof of sufficient funds to support the travel (10,000 Baht per individual and 20,000 Baht per family)

Offline Application - The Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate allows applicants to choose the offline (on paper) application by contacting one of the VFS Global Thailand Visa Application Centres. The application form can be downloaded from the VFS Global website which needs to be submitted along with the required documents. The address and contact details of VFS Global Thailand Visa Application Centres in India are mentioned below:

Passport Retrieval Timings: 08:00 to 12:00 - 13:00 to 15:00 (Monday-Friday)