Thailand’s New Entry Requirements 2025 – Complete & Updated Guide

Thailand is in the news for its new immigration update, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). Starting 1 May 2025, all non-Thai tourists are required to fill out this digital card 72 hours (three days) prior to entering the country. This also applies to tourists who are under the visa exemption category. 

TDAC will help streamline the immigration process, simplify entry procedures, and reduce excess foot traffic at the immigration center at the Thailand airport. To understand Thailand’s new entry requirements, keep reading the blog. 

Do You Need a Visa to Visit Thailand?

Thailand remains visa-free for Indians until further notice from the Thai Authorities. 

However, filling out the new Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is compulsory for all tourists regardless of visa requirements.

There is no extra cost for completing the TDAC form, which means travelling to Thailand remains cost-effective and highly affordable. 

Must Read: Thailand Visa Rejection for Indians

Visa-Free Countries & Stay Duration

Thailand offers visa-free travel to nearly 93 countries and territories for up to 60 days, and this stay can be extended for another period not exceeding 30 days. Here are all the countries eligible for a Thai visa exemption: 

Albania	Dominican Republic	Jordan	New Zealand	Sweden
Andorra	Ecuador	Kazakhstan	Norway	Switzerland
Australia	Estonia	Korea (ROK)	Oman	Taiwan
Austria	Fiji	Kosovo	Panama	Tonga
Bahrain	Finland	Kuwait	Papua New Guinea	Trinidad and Tobago
Belgium	France	Laos	Peru	Türkiye
Bhutan	Georgia	Latvia	Philippines	Ukraine
Brazil	Germany	Liechtenstein	Poland	UAE
Brunei	Greece	Lithuania	Portugal	UK
Bulgaria	Guatemala	Luxembourg	Qatar	USA
Cambodia	Hong Kong	Macao	Romania	Uruguay
Canada	Hungary	Malaysia	Russia	Uzbekistan
China	Iceland	Maldives	San Marino	Vietnam
Colombia	India	Malta	Saudi Arabia
Croatia	Indonesia	Mauritius	Singapore
Cuba	Ireland	Mexico	Slovakia
Cyprus	Israel	Monaco	Slovenia
Czechia	Italy	Mongolia	Spain
Denmark	Jamaica	Morocco	Sri Lanka
Dominica	Japan	Netherlands	South Africa

Also Read: Thailand on a Budget: The Ultimate Travel Guide

Visa on Arrival, Eligibility & Process

Thailand also offers visa-on-arrival facilities to 31 nationalities. A visa on arrival is a single-entry visa issued for 15 days, and it costs 2000 Baht.

The process is simple: Eligible tourists must carry essential documents, pay the fees, and provide biometrics at the immigration counter. 

Here are all the countries that are under the visa-on-arrival program for Thailand: 

Armenia	Georgia	Romania
Belarus	India	Russia
Bhutan	Kazakhstan	Saudi Arabia
Bolivia	Kyrgyzstan	Serbia
Bulgaria	Malta	Seychelles
China	Mexico	Taiwan
Costa Rica	Namibia	Tunisia
Cyprus	Nauru	Uzbekistan
El Salvador	Papua New Guinea	Vanuatu
Ethiopia	Paraguay	Venezuela
Fiji

To receive a Visa on Arrival, visitors must meet the following updated requirements:

• Hold citizenship from an approved country
• Provide a completed Visa on Arrival Form (available at immigration)
• Starting 1st May 2025, you must have a copy of a completed Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC).
• Provide a photo sized 4 x 6 cm taken within 6 months
• Hold a passport with at least 30 days of validity remaining
• Pledge to visit Thailand strictly for tourism purposes
• Provide verifiable proof of accommodation in Thailand, such as a hotel or an apartment address
• Provide proof of funds to support their stay (minimum 10,000 Baht for single travelers and 20,000 Baht per family)
• Provide proof of a return ticket for exiting Thailand (open tickets do not qualify, and the ticket’s destination cannot be a neighboring country of Thailand)
• Visitors do not need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Visitors may be asked to show their onward travel ticket upon entering Thailand. If they do not possess a ticket proving their exit from Thailand within 15 days, they will most likely be refused entry.

List of Thailand Immigration Checkpoints for Visa on Arrival

• Suvarnabhumi Airport
• Don Muang International Airport, Bangkok
• Chiang Mai International Airport
• Phuket International Airport
• Hatyai International Airport, Songkhla
• U Tapao International Airport, Rayong
• Mae Sai Immigration Checkpoint, Chiang Rai
• Chiang Saen Immigration Checkpoint, Chiang Rai
• Betong Immigration Checkpoint, Yala
• Sadao Immigration Checkpoint, Songkhla
• Samui International Airport, Surat Thani
• Sukhothai International Airport
• Tak Immigration Checkpoint
• Bangkok Harbor Immigration Checkpoint
• Sri Racha Immigration Checkpoint, Chonburi
• Maptaphut Immigration Checkpoint, Rayong
• Nong Khai Immigration Checkpoint
• Samui Immigration Checkpoint, Surat Thani
• Phuket Immigration Checkpoint
• Satun Immigration Checkpoint
• Krabi Immigration Checkpoint
• Songkhla Harbor Immigration Checkpoint
• Chiang Rai Airport Immigration Checkpoint

Note: Even if you have a Visa on Arrival for Thailand, you are required to fill out the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before your arrival, starting May 1, 2025

eVisa Option – Who Should Apply?

An eVisa is an excellent option for those who are not eligible for visa exemption or visa-on-arrival in Thailand. You can visit Thailand e-Visa, determine your eligibility, and apply for it. 

Category of Visa	Number of Entries	Validity of Visa	Period of Stay (each entry)	Fees
Tourist	Single	3 months	60 days	INR 2,500
Tourist	Multiple	6 months	60 days	INR 12,500

The documents needed for an evisa are:

• A passport or travel document with validity for 6 months.
• The photograph of the applicant was taken within the past six months.
• Evidence of travel to Thailand (air ticket paid in full).
• A minimum of two inbound and outbound tickets are required for a multiple-entry visa.
• Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht ≈ per family).
• For multiple entries, 200,000 Baht per person and 400,000 Baht per family for the past 6 months
• Proof of accommodation.
• Starting 1st May 2025, you must have a copy of a completed Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC).

How to Apply Online for a Thai eVisa?

• Create an account on the Thai evisa website.
• Fill out the application form.
• Upload the supporting documents. 
• Pay the visa fees (it is non-refundable)
• Wait for the visa processing.
• Receive your visa via email. 

Also Read: Solo Travel in Thailand: Tips and Visa Rules

Transit Rules – Do You Need a Visa If You Are Not Leaving the Airport?

Travelers who wish to transit at international airports in Thailand in less than 12 hours, only in the transit area at the airport, do not need to obtain a visa. If your layover is longer and you wish to exit the airport, here are the Thailand transit visa rules:

Category of Visa	Number of Entries	Validity of Visa	Period of Stay (each entry)	Fees
Tourist	Single	3 months	30 days	INR 2,000
Tourist	Multiple	3 months	30 days	INR 4,000

Here are the documents needed for a transit visa for Thailand:

• Passport/travel document (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages)
• Completed & signed visa application form
• Two color photos (as per specifications)
• Proof of Indian permanent residence (non-Indian passport holders)
• Confirmed round-trip air tickets
• Confirmed hotel/accommodation booking (with address & contact) OR invitation letter & Thai ID (or foreign resident’s visa/work permit & passport copy)
• Original bank passbook or 1-month bank statement (bank attested) with min. equivalent of $700
• Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (if applicable, from designated countries)
• Starting 1st May 2025, you must have a copy of a completed Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC).

To apply for a Thailand Transit Visa, visit the official Thai eVisa website or apply offline through the Royal Thai Consulate.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) – New Rule from May 2025

Let’s understand Thailand’s new entry requirements for travellers headed to the Kingdom post-May 2025:

What is TDAC and Why is it Needed?

TDAC stands for Thailand Digital Arrival Card. It is a digital form that all tourists (including children) must complete 72 hours before arriving in Thailand. This form is mandatory for everyone, irrespective of their visa categories. 

You may be denied entry without an arrival card even if you fall under the visa exemption category. 

• It is free of cost. 
• The form has three sections: 
• Personal details: Name, nationality, passport info.
• Travel & stay: Flight and hotel details.
• Health status: Illnesses or treatments.
• You can apply for it online using the Thailand Digital Arrival Card website. Once you have verified your identity, the system will send a digital card to your registered email address. 
• It must be presented at the immigration counter upon arrival in Thailand.

The idea behind this digital card is to ease travel, may processing faster at immigration counters, minimize manual errors, and paper waste. It also helps improve data management and promotes green travel. 

Who Needs to Fill Out the TDAC Form?

The TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) is a mandatory electronic form that all foreigners, including children and dependents, must complete before entering Thailand from May 1, 2025. This applies to all Indian passport holders:

• Visiting Thailand under a visa exemption
• Holding any other type of visa to Thailand

How Can You Complete and Submit the TDAC Form Online?

Step 1: Visit the official website – Thailand Digital Arrival Card

Step 2: Click on ‘Arrival Card.’

Step 3: Enter your personal information, such as first and last name, date of birth, nationality, 

passport number, and other details.

Step 4: Fill in your travel details, such as date of arrival, means of transportation, hotel address, purpose of visit, and other information.

Step 5: After that, you are supposed to enter your health status.

Step 6: Review all the details and submit.

Step 7: Once it is submitted, the digital card will be generated.

Step 8: Download your TDAC and present it with your passport for verification upon arrival. 

Exemptions – Transit & Special Cases

Starting May 1, 2025, all foreign nationals must submit the TDAC before arriving in Thailand.

However, exceptions include those:

• Transiting or transferring without going through Thai immigration.
• Entering with a valid Border Pass (for residents of border areas with Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Myanmar).
• Thai nationals and permanent residents are the only ones exempt from this process.

Also Read: Thailand With Kids: Ultimate Family Adventure Guide

Thailand Visa Guidelines for Indian Citizens

Here’s a breakdown of the Thailand visa requirements 2025 for Indian citizens:

Visa-Free Entry Limit

According to the latest Thailand entry rules for Indian citizens, Indians can enter Thailand for tourism for a stay of up to 60 days without a visa. This is an indefinite extension of a previous temporary visa exemption.

Can Indian Citizens Extend Their Stay?

Yes, for those who entered under the 60-day visa-exempt rule, a one-time extension of an additional 30 days can be applied for at a local immigration office in Thailand.

Long Stay, Work, or Retirement Visa Options

Long Stay:

• LTR Visa (10-year extendable): For wealthy individuals, pensioners, remote workers, and skilled professionals (plus dependents). Offers benefits like longer stays and potential tax breaks.

Retirement: 

• Non-Immigrant O-A (Retirement – 1 year renewable): For those 50+ with sufficient funds/income and health insurance.
• Non-Immigrant O-X (Special Retirees – 5-year multiple entry): For retirees 50+ (nationality restrictions may apply), with stricter financial/health requirements.

Work:

• Non-Immigrant B (Business Visa – 90 days/1 year initial): Required before arrival.
• Work Permit: Must be obtained in Thailand after getting the Non-Immigrant B visa, with employer sponsorship and specific requirements.

What is the Tourist Tax in Thailand?

Another significant upcoming travel update concerns the tourist tax. Under the proposed Thailand tourist tax 2025, foreign travellers arriving by air will be charged 300 Baht per person/trip (approximately INR 750). Meanwhile, the price is 150 Baht (around INR 380) for land or sea travelers.

What is the 300 Baht Tourist Tax?

The 300 Bhat tourist tax is a fee implemented by the Thai government to generate revenue for tourism development and provide insurance coverage for foreign tourists during their stay in Thailand.

Who Has to Pay for the Tourist Tax?

Generally, all foreign tourists, with specific exemptions for young children, diplomats, transit passengers, and long-stay visa holders.

How and When is the Tourist Tax Collected?

The 300 Baht tourist tax is yet to be introduced, and the Thai government will disclose all the details related to collection once it is officially announced. 

Are There Any Exemptions?

Certain groups will be exempt from this tourist tax:

• Children under the age of two
• Transit passengers
• Holders of diplomatic passports
• Individuals with work permits
• Global Context of Tourism Taxes

Also Read: Thailand in January – Festivals, Activities & More

Other Entry Requirements & Travel Tips

Here’s a concise overview of additional entry requirements and helpful travel tips for Thailand:

Passport Validity and Blank Pages

• Validity: Must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of departure from Thailand.
• Blank Pages: You need at least two empty pages for visa stamps.

Vaccination or Insurance Requirements

• Vaccinations: Generally, no specific vaccinations are mandatory for entry unless you are arriving from or have transited through countries with active Yellow Fever transmission. However, it’s always wise to consult your doctor about recommended vaccinations for the region.
• Yellow Fever Certificate: Required if arriving from or transiting through designated Yellow Fever risk countries.
• Health Insurance: While not always mandatory for short tourist stays, having comprehensive travel health insurance is highly recommended to cover any potential medical emergencies. 

Customs Rules & Overstaying Fines

• Currency Declaration: If you carry currency exceeding a certain amount (currently 50,000 Baht per person or equivalent in foreign currency), you must declare it to customs officials upon arrival.
• Prohibited Items: Certain items are banned or restricted from being brought into Thailand, including illegal drugs, firearms, certain plants and animals, and pornography. Be sure to check the latest customs regulations.
• Duty-Free Allowances: The amount of alcohol, tobacco, and other goods you can bring into Thailand duty-free is limited.
• Severe Penalties: Overstaying your permitted visa duration or visa-exempt period is a serious offense in Thailand and carries significant penalties.
• Deportation & Blacklisting: Overstayers may be arrested, detained, deported at their own expense, and may be blacklisted from re-entering Thailand for a specified period or permanently. It is crucial to adhere strictly to the duration of your permitted stay.

Travel Tips

• Dress modestly for temples, avoid pointing feet, and be discreet with affection.
• Learn some basic Thai phrases for local interactions.
• Drink plenty of bottled water and avoid drinking tap water. 
• Be cautious of overly friendly strangers and research common scams.
• Use Skytrain, subway, metered taxis, negotiated tuk-tuks, and ride apps.
• Thai Baht (THB) is exchanged at authorized booths/banks.
• Stay Informed and check travel advisories.

Must Read: Things Not to Do in Thailand as a Tourist

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FAQs

What are the travel restrictions for Thailand 2025?

There are no Thailand travel restrictions in 2025 for tourists. Indians can travel to Thailand visa-free for up to 60 days. 

What is the arrival card for Thailand 2025?

The Thai Kingdom has introduced the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). According to the Thailand immigration updates, this form is mandatory for foreign visitors and must be submitted before departure.

What is the new regulation to enter Thailand?

The government has introduced a new regulation for entering Thailand. It is called the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, which must be filled out prior to departure. This card is mandatory for all tourists, including children and dependents, and can be completed online 3 days before your arrival date.

Is Thailand visa free for Indians in 2025?

Yes, Indians can enter Thailand for tourism for a stay of up to 60 days without a visa. This is a continuation of the visa exemption policy.

What is the tourist tax in Thailand 2025?

The tourist tax in Thailand for 2025 is 300 Baht per foreign tourist. It is yet to be introduced officially by the government. 

What is the cheapest month to fly to Thailand?

The shoulder seasons (roughly May-June and September-October) often offer the cheapest flights to Thailand. If you plan ahead, you can get cheaper flights for peak seasons too.

Do I need to show money to enter Thailand?

Yes, all Indian tourists must have at least 10,000 Thai Baht per person, or 20,000 Thai Baht per family. Immigration authorities may ask for proof of funds. 

What documents are required to enter Thailand?

As per Thailand’s new entry requirements, the key documents include a passport with 6-month validity, a completed Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), and proof of accommodation, onward travel, and funds.