Thailand Introduces E-Visa For Indian Passport Holders Starting January 1, 2025

The Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi announced an important development for Indian passport holders as it instituted e-visa facilities effective January 1, 2025. According to an embassy statement, the new system will provide an online application for the visa and an offline payment method for applicants.

Thailand Introduces E-Visa For Indian Passport Holders Starting January 1, 2025

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The embassy pointed out that until further notice, an Indian regular passport holder will still be entitled to a 60-day visa exemption for tourist and brief business purposes. However, any applicant opting for e-visa will be required to pay a non-refundable visa fee for which any relevant information regarding the offline payment options will be given by the respective Embassy and Consulate-Generals.

With its colorful cities and beautiful islands, Thailand continues to place itself in the higher ranking amongst the travel destinations of Indians. Millions flock annually to vacation in the likes of Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui, which remain some of the most favorites amongst Indian travelers.

The country has transformed itself into a center for Indian wedding and honeymoon tourism. In the year 2019, there were more than 2 million Indian tourists to Thailand, quite a jump from the figures for the preceding years. Post-COVID recuperation has further solidified the status of Thailand as an emerging favorite getaway destination for Indians, adding to what happened with the pre-pandemic success of tourism in the nation.

The embassy also stated that Indian nationals could now avail themselves of the visa on arrival facility for their last-minute travel plans. With the new e-visa option, Thailand aims to continue improving its status as one of the best travel destinations in Southeast Asia.

It is highly recommended that all travelers keep following official channels to be in the know about the latest announcements and any change in procedures, while Thailand prepares to go ahead with the implementation of the e-visa system.

The approximate waiting time to process the e-visa will be about 14 days after receiving the visa fee. Applications should be submitted through the official e-visa portal of Thailand. The embassy explained the deadlines for the adoption of the new system of e-visa.

Thus, it is specified that applications to grant ordinary passports and processed by agencies would be received up till December 16, 2024. A similar business direct to the Embassy or Consulate-Generals will be available until December 24, 2024, for diplomatic and official passport holders.