World's most populous country extends visa fee exemption for Thai tourists

By Hoang Vu February 23, 2025 | 08:09 pm PT

Indian tourists at Patong beach in the island of Phuket, Thailand, July 14, 2023. Photo by Reuters

India, the world's most populous country, has extended its e‑visa fee exemption for Thai tourists until Dec. 31 this year in an effort to boost arrivals from Thailand.

According to the Indian embassy in Thailand, the Indian government has expanded the e‑tourist visa program to allow one or two entries with a maximum stay of 30 days without an entry visa fee, as reported by Nation Thailand.

Thai tourists must apply in advance for the e‑tourist visa via the official website, indianvisaonline.gov.in, to qualify for the exemption.

From July to December 2024, Thai tourists were given 30-day double entry access to India without having to pay for visa fees.

In addition to the visa fee waiver, the Indian government has approved an increase in flight connectivity between Thailand and India.

This expansion will add 7,000 seats per week across six major routes: Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Calcutta, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.

Thailand permanently waives visas for Indian tourists from last year.