Thailand Grants India 30-Day Visa-Free Entry to Boost Tourism

The Government of Thailand approved a revised visa policy on July 15, 2026, maintaining visa-free entry for Indian passport holders while reducing the maximum permitted stay from 60 days to 30 days. This decision follows a nearly 20% decline in Indian visitor arrivals after a May 2026 proposal to withdraw visa-free privileges created uncertainty.

Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul stated that the 30-day limit aligns with the travel behavior of Indian tourists, who represent one of the country's top three tourism markets. Along with India, Thailand granted 30-day visa-free entry to travelers from the Maldives, Cyprus, Malta, Bulgaria, Croatia, and 27 European Union member states, bringing the total number of eligible countries and territories to 60.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's government implemented the shorter stay limit to tighten oversight and prevent the misuse of tourist visas for unauthorized employment or transnational scam networks. Additionally, all travelers from visa-free countries must now complete a mandatory Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before boarding their flights.