Key points
- The key change: The Indian government has extended its fee waiver on the 30-day double-entry e-Tourist visa for Thai nationals through December 31, 2027. Under the arrangement, Thai passport holders can obtain the visa at no cost.
- Not visa-free entry: Thai travelers must still apply for and receive an e-Tourist visa before traveling to India. The measure waives the application fee but does not eliminate the visa requirement itself.
- How to apply: Applications are submitted through India's official eVisa portal. A passport valid for at least six months and proof of onward travel are required. Processing typically takes a few business days.
- Tourism context: Approximately 140,000 Thai tourists visited India in 2024 and around 130,000 in 2025. The fee waiver is part of India's broader effort to deepen tourism and cultural ties with Thailand, particularly around Buddhist pilgrimage travel.
The Indian Embassy in Bangkok confirmed the extension on September 11, 2026, allowing Thai passport holders to visit India on a fee-free 30-day double-entry e-Tourist visa
The Indian government has extended its fee waiver on the 30-day double-entry e-Tourist visa for Thai nationals, with the concession now running through December 31, 2027, or until further notice. The Indian Embassy in Bangkok announced the extension on its official Instagram account on September 11, 2026, stating that India “will grant 30 days e-Tourist visa with double entry on gratis basis to Thai nationals.”
The fee waiver was already in place before this announcement. The extension prolongs the arrangement through the end of 2027, giving Thai travelers and the tourism industry an extended planning window.
Before this scheme, Thai nationals were required to pay the standard e-Tourist visa application fee when applying for entry to India. Under the waiver, the application is processed at no charge, though the requirement to obtain a visa before travel remains in effect.
What does the fee waiver cover?
The waiver applies specifically to the 30-day double-entry e-Tourist visa. Thai passport holders can apply for this visa at no cost and use it to enter India twice during the visa’s validity period. The double-entry feature gives travelers the flexibility to exit and re-enter India within the 30-day window, making it easier to combine a visit to India with trips to neighboring countries in South Asia.
The fee waiver covers the e-Tourist visa application fee only. It does not apply to other Indian visa categories, such as the one-year or five-year multiple-entry e-Tourist visas, which carry separate fee structures.
Is this visa-free entry to India for Thai nationals?
No. Thai passport holders must still apply for and receive an e-Tourist visa before traveling to India. The measure is a fee waiver, not a visa exemption. Travelers without an approved eVisa will not be permitted to board a flight to India or enter the country.
The distinction is important: India has removed the cost of the visa but has not removed the visa itself. The application, processing, and approval steps remain unchanged.
How can Thai nationals apply?
Thai passport holders can apply online through India’s official eVisa portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Applicants must hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond their intended date of entry and provide proof of onward travel.
Processing typically takes a few business days, though wait times can increase during peak travel seasons. The Indian Embassy in Bangkok recommends applying early to allow sufficient time for processing before the planned departure date.
Why is India waiving the visa fee for Thai travelers?
The fee waiver is part of India’s broader effort to strengthen tourism and cultural ties with Thailand. Buddhist pilgrimage travel is a significant driver of Thai tourism to India, with destinations such as Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar attracting Thai visitors tracing the historical path of the Buddha.
Approximately 140,000 Thai tourists visited India in 2024 and around 130,000 in 2025, according to tourism industry data. More than 500 weekly direct flights currently connect Thailand with over 15 Indian cities, providing extensive air connectivity between the two countries.
The extension of the fee waiver through 2027 coincides with a period of broader visa recalibration in the region. Thailand itself recently overhauled its own visa exemption framework, reducing its visa-free tourism stay from 60 days to 30 days for nationals of 60 countries, effective September 15, 2026.
