Thailand to Revise Visa, Consular Fees for Indian Applicants from April 27
Thailand visa fee update for Indians bring higher charges across visa types from April 27. However, 60-day visa-free entry remains unchanged, offering relief to short-term travellers.
On this page
What Has Changed ā and Why It Matters
Effective April 27, 2026, the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi has formally notified travel agents and VFS centres that visa, legalisation, and other consular fees for Indian applicants will rise across the board. The revision is one of the most comprehensive updates to Thailand visa charges for Indians in recent years, touching everything from short-stay transit permits to premium long-term residency options.
The revised fees apply to a wide range of visa categories including tourist, transit, non-immigrant, SMART, and long-term residency options, along with consular services such as document legalisation and passport-related work. The embassy confirmed the new rates will remain in place until further notice.
For millions of Indian travellers who make Thailand one of their top international destinations, the key question is: does this affect a regular holiday? The short answer is no ā but for anyone planning an extended stay, a business assignment, or relocation, the financial impact is significant.
Complete Thailand Visa Fee Breakdown for Indians (2026)
Under the updated structure, the fee for a transit visa has been set at ā¹2,500, a single-entry tourist visa will cost ā¹3,000, and a multiple-entry tourist visa ā¹13,500. Under the non-immigrant visa category, fees range from ā¹7,000 for a single-entry visa to ā¹30,000 for multiple-entry visas including long-term options such as three-year and five-year permits.
For premium categories, the increases are steeper. The SMART Visa ā designed for skilled professionals, CEOs, investors, and startup founders ā is priced at ā¹30,000 for one year of multiple entries, ā¹60,000 for two years, ā¹90,000 for three years, and ā¹1,20,000 for four years of multiple entry. The Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa is set at ā¹1,40,000.
The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is priced at ā¹30,000, catering to remote workers, digital nomads, and long-stay travellers interested in Thailand.
Quick Reference: New Thailand Visa Application Fees for Indians
Visa Type | Entry Type | New Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|
Transit Visa | Single Entry | ā¹2,500 |
Tourist Visa | Single Entry | ā¹3,000 |
Tourist Visa | Multiple Entry | ā¹13,500 |
Non-Immigrant Visa | Single Entry | ā¹7,000 |
Non-Immigrant Visa | Multiple Entry (up to 5 yrs) | up to ā¹30,000 |
SMART Visa | 1-Year Multiple Entry | ā¹30,000 |
SMART Visa | 4-Year Multiple Entry | ā¹1,20,000 |
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | 5-Year Multiple Entry | ā¹30,000 |
Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa | ā | ā¹1,40,000 |
60-Day Visa-Free Entry: Untouched and Active
The single most important fact for the majority of Indian tourists: the 60-day visa-free entry for Indian travellers to Thailand remains unchanged. This applies to tourism and short business visits, with no visa fee required during this period. Stays beyond 60 days require an e-visa through Thailand's official system.
If you are an Indian passport holder travelling to Thailand for a holiday of up to 60 days, you do not need a visa and these fee changes will not affect you. The only requirement is to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 72 hours before arrival.
This means travellers heading to Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, or Krabi for a vacation of under two months continue to pay zero in visa application fees ā a significant advantage that sets Thailand apart from several other popular international destinations for Indians.
Who Is Directly Impacted by the New Fee Structure
Those directly impacted include remote workers, freelancers, and long-stay digital nomads applying for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV); investors, senior executives, and highly skilled professionals applying for SMART or LTR visas; and anyone legalising Indian documents for use in Thailand.
Travel companies see limited impact on short breaks to Bangkok, Phuket, and Krabi, but predict higher costs for digital nomads, consultants on project work, and retirees who favour year-long or multi-entry options.
Corporate HR teams rotating Indian staff into Thai operations should take note: the advice from travel consultants is to budget for the higher government fee in addition to VFS service charges, and factor in longer processing queues expected in the weeks immediately following April 27.
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): Key Facts for Indian Digital Nomads
The DTV has been particularly popular among Indian remote workers since its launch in mid-2024. It is a 5-year multiple-entry visa that allows stays of up to 180 days per entry, with the possibility of a one-time extension of another 180 days at the Thai Immigration Office. Remote work for foreign employers is permitted under the DTV, though a Thai work permit is not issued and working for Thai companies or invoicing Thai clients is prohibited.
DTV applicants are required to show financial evidence of no less than ąøæ5,00,000 (approximately ā¹14,34,000) for the preceding three months, along with proof of income, a foreign employment contract, and a professional portfolio. At ā¹30,000, the revised DTV Thailand visa fee for Indians remains relatively accessible given the five-year validity it offers.
Legalisation and Consular Services: Flat Fee Now in Place
Document legalisation is now charged at a flat ā¹1,400 across all categories, replacing the earlier tiered rates. This applies to every document type submitted from April 27, 2026. Educational certificates, birth certificates, marriage documents, and commercial papers destined for use in Thailand all fall under this revised charge.
For ordinary Thai passports issued through the embassy in India, a five-year validity passport now costs ā¹3,000, a ten-year validity costs ā¹4,000, emergency travel documents are ā¹550, and endorsements are ā¹300.
How and Where to Apply
All visa categories can be applied for online via the official Thailand e-Visa portal at thaievisa.go.th, which has been available to Indian applicants since January 1, 2025. The portal displays fees in INR, so applicants will see the updated amounts automatically. The revised fee schedule applies at the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi as well as at Royal Thai Consulates-General across India.
Standard visa processing requires 3ā5 working days from submission. Expedited processing reduces timelines to 1ā2 working days with premium fees. Applicants should plan accordingly and avoid scheduling travel before receiving visa approval confirmation.
Importantly, travellers already holding an approved e-visa or sticker visa issued before April 27 are unaffected. However, any in-process cases returned for additional documents will attract the new tariff if re-submitted after the effective date.
The Bigger Picture: A Regional Trend
The move follows similar price increases announced by Vietnam and Indonesia earlier this year, reinforcing a regional trend of post-pandemic revenue recoupment through consular fees. Thai authorities say the revision aligns consular charges with the baht's depreciation against the rupee and funds extended opening hours at visa centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru.
For the vast majority of Indian tourists, Thailand remains one of the most accessible and affordable international destinations ā the visa-free window ensures that. But for those planning an extended stay, a business venture, or long-term relocation, accounting for the revised Thailand visa fee for Indians in early budgeting is now essential.
Always verify the latest fee structure directly with the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi or via the official e-Visa portal at thaievisa.go.th before submitting any application.
What To Read Next
Last Updated: April 28, 2026
