How to get Thailand tourist visa from India?

[Nath.M]

My parents would like to go Thailand this year and I am doing some research for them regarding the same. One thing I am unsure about is the visa process, please can someone give some guidance on how to get a Thailand tourist visa from India.

Please give details about the process and the duration of the visa.

 

[Deven]

There are two ways for Indian citizens to get a visa for Thailand, either applying before traveling from VFS Thailand or getting a visa on arrival.

Visa on Arrival

Visa on Arrival for Thailand is available at the Thailand immigration checkpoints, where you get issued a tourist visa for a duration of 15 days.

When wanting to obtain a visa on arrival in Thailand you must have the following documents:

• A passport which is valid for a minimum of 3 months and there must be at least 3 unused pages on the passport
• A visa application form along with your recent passport sized photograph
• Proof of your ticket (to check you will be returning back within 15 days or 30 days)
• Proof of your accommodation
• At least Rs20,000 worth of Thailand currency (THB 10,000) per person or Rs40,000 worth of Thailand currency (THB 20,000)

If you wish to stay in Thailand for more than 15 days, visa extension would be required which you can obtain from Office of Immigration Bureau from Bangkok.


Visa Application from India

If you wish to apply for a visa from India then you have to visit VFS Thailand, who deal with Thailand visas. The visa applications made from India will be valid for 30 days

The VFS offices for Thailand visas are available in:

North India
Delhi, Gurugram, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Jalandhar

South India
Chennai

East India
Kolkata

West India
Mumbai

 

[Karan]

There are two main ways for your parents to get a Thailand tourist visa from India:

1. Online application (e-Visa): This is the faster and more convenient option. They can apply for a Thailand e-Visa through the official Thailand e-Visa website https://www.thaievisa.go.th/.

Here's a breakdown of the process:

• Create an account on the website.
• Fill out the online application form with your parents' details.
• Upload scanned copies of the required documents, which typically include:
  • A valid passport with at least 6 months validity remaining from the intended arrival date in Thailand.
  • Passport-size photograph with a white background.
  • Proof of onward flight ticket.
  • Hotel reservation confirmation in Thailand.
  • Bank statement or other proof of sufficient funds (around 20,000 to 40,000 baht per person).
• Pay the visa fee online.
• Wait for the visa application to be processed. They will receive notification by email once the decision is made.

Processing time for e-Visas is usually between 3-4 working days. If approved, the visa will be sent electronically via email. They can then print it out and carry it with them during their travel.

1. Apply in person at the Thai Embassy or Consulate in India: This method involves submitting the application paperwork in person at the nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate in India. You can find the locations and contact details for Thai Embassies and Consulates in India https://newdelhi.thaiembassy.org/en/.

The application process and required documents are similar to the e-Visa option. However, they will need to schedule an appointment and visit the embassy or consulate in person to submit the application and get their fingerprints taken (if applicable).

Processing time for visa applications submitted in person can vary depending on the workload at the embassy or consulate. It's generally recommended to allow at least 15 working days for processing.

Duration of the Visa:

Both the e-Visa and the visa obtained through the Thai embassy/consulate are typically single-entry visas with a validity of 3 months from the date of issuance. They allow your parents to stay in Thailand for a maximum of 60 days.

Additional Tips:

• Make sure your parents' passports have at least 6 months validity remaining beyond their intended stay in Thailand.
• It's advisable to purchase travel insurance before your parents' trip to Thailand, especially if they are of an older age.
• Double-check the visa requirements and application process closer to your parents' travel date, as there may be changes.