Complete 2026 guide to India e-visa for Thai citizens — step-by-step process, fees, documents, and expert tips from Prime Value Tours. Plan your Buddhist pilgrimage or India tour with confidence
India e-Visa Guide for Thai Citizens 2026: Everything You Need to Know
You have decided to visit India — maybe for the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit, maybe for the Golden Triangle, maybe just to see the Taj Mahal for the first time. The next question is always the same: how do I get the visa?
The good news is that India has made this simple. Thai citizens can apply for an India e-visa entirely online, from home, without visiting any embassy. The process takes about 15 minutes to complete, and the visa is usually approved within 2 to 4 working days. No queues. No embassy appointment. No paper forms.
At Prime Value Tours, we have helped hundreds of Thai groups obtain their India visas over 25 years of organising Buddhist pilgrimage tours and other India travel. This guide explains everything you need to know — the visa types, fees, step-by-step application process, common mistakes to avoid, and what to do about Nepal if your tour includes Lumbini.
Thai Citizens Are Eligible for India e-Visa
Thailand is on India’s approved e-visa country list. This means Thai passport holders do not need to visit the Indian Embassy in Bangkok to get a visa — the entire process is done online through the official Government of India e-visa portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in.
Important: Always apply through the official Government of India website: indianvisaonline.gov.in. Many third-party websites charge extra fees and may cause delays. Use only the official site.
Types of India Tourist e-Visa for Thai Citizens
India offers three types of tourist e-visa, each suited to a different kind of traveller:
| Visa Type | Validity | Max Stay per Visit | Best For |
| 30-Day e-Tourist Visa | 30 days from date of arrival | 30 days (double entry) | First-time visitors, short pilgrimages |
| 1-Year e-Tourist Visa | 1 year from date of issue | 180 days per calendar year | Returning visitors, longer tours |
| 5-Year e-Tourist Visa | 5 years from date of issue | 180 days per calendar year | Frequent pilgrims, repeat travellers |
Prime Value Tours Tip: For most Thai Buddhist pilgrim groups visiting India once a year, the 30-day e-Tourist Visa is the standard choice. If your group includes senior monks or frequent India visitors, we recommend the 1-year visa for convenience.
What the Tourist e-Visa Covers
The India tourist e-visa is valid for sightseeing, pilgrimage, visiting friends or relatives, attending short yoga or cultural programmes, and recreational activities. It does not permit paid employment, journalism, or missionary activities.
India e-Visa Fees for Thai Citizens (2026)
The India e-visa fee is set by the Government of India and is paid online in USD or equivalent currency at the time of application. Fees vary by visa type and are subject to change — always verify the current fee on the official portal before applying.
As a general guide for 2026:
- 30-Day e-Tourist Visa — fees are in the lower range (typically around USD 25 for most nationalities; verify for Thailand on the official site)
- 😎👍
- 😎👍
Note: An additional bank processing charge of approximately 2.5% is added when paying by credit or debit card. The visa fee is non-refundable once paid, even if the application is rejected. Always check the current fee at indianvisaonline.gov.in before applying.
Documents Required for India e-Visa — Thai Citizens
Before you begin the online application, prepare these documents. Having everything ready makes the process faster and reduces the chance of errors:
Mandatory Documents
- Valid Thai passport — must have at least 6 months validity from the date of arrival in India, and at least 2 blank pages for stamps
- Digital photograph — recent, front-facing, white background, clear face, no sunglasses. File size must be between 10 KB and 1 MB (JPEG format)
- Scanned copy of passport bio-data page — the page with your photo, name, passport number and date of birth
- Valid email address — the e-visa approval letter is sent to this email address
- Credit or debit card — for fee payment (Visa, MasterCard accepted)
Additional Documents (Helpful to Have Ready)
- Flight booking confirmation — your India arrival flight details
- Hotel booking or tour itinerary — details of your accommodation in India
- Thai ID card or proof of Thai residence
- Tour operator confirmation letter — if travelling with a group tour company like Prime Value Tours, your tour booking confirmation is helpful
Prime Value Tours Tip: If you are travelling as part of a group tour we organise, we provide all guests with a formal tour confirmation letter that you can reference in the e-visa application. This makes approval faster and smoother.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for India e-Visa from Thailand
- Go to the official India e-visa website: indianvisaonline.gov.in — click ‘Apply here for e-visa’.
- Select your visa type — choose ‘e-Tourist Visa’ and your preferred validity (30 days, 1 year, or 5 years).
- Fill in the online application form — enter your personal details, passport information, Thai address, and India travel details exactly as they appear in your passport. Any mismatch with your passport causes rejection.
- Upload your documents — your passport photo (white background) and passport bio-data page scan.
- Pay the visa fee — use a credit or debit card. You will receive an Application ID by email. Save this number.
- Wait for approval — processing typically takes 2 to 4 working days. You will receive the e-visa approval by email as an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
- Print your e-visa — print the ETA document and carry a printed copy to India. The immigration officer at the airport will check it and stamp your passport.
Important: Apply at least 4 to 7 days before your travel date. Do not apply at the last minute. Processing usually takes 2-4 working days, but during Indian public holidays or peak season (October–February), it may take slightly longer.
At the Airport: What to Do When You Arrive in India
Arriving in India with an e-visa is straightforward if you follow these steps:
- Carry a printed copy of your ETA approval email — even if immigration officers can verify it digitally, having a printed copy avoids delays.
- Use the ‘Foreign Nationals’ immigration lane — there are separate queues for foreign tourists at all major Indian airports.
- Present your passport, printed ETA, and return flight booking to the immigration officer.
- The officer will stamp your passport and grant you entry for the duration of your visa.
- Collect your checked baggage and proceed through customs — the green channel is for passengers with nothing to declare.
You can enter India through any of the 28 designated e-visa entry airports, including Delhi (IGI), Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Gaya (Bodhgaya). Note: the e-visa is not valid at land border crossings — only at designated airports and seaports.
What About Nepal? (For Buddhist Pilgrims Visiting Lumbini)
Many Thai Buddhist pilgrim groups include Lumbini — the birthplace of the Buddha — in their India tour. Lumbini is located just across the border in Nepal, and most tours cross from India into Nepal by road at the Sonauli or Belahiya border crossing.
Here is the excellent news: Thai citizens do not need a separate visa for Nepal. Under a reciprocal visa waiver agreement between Thailand and Nepal, Thai passport holders are entitled to free visa-free entry to Nepal for up to 90 days. This is confirmed by both the Nepal Department of Immigration and the Embassy of Nepal in Bangkok.
This means your group can cross from India into Nepal to visit Lumbini, stay as long as the pilgrimage requires (up to 90 days), and return to India — all without any Nepal visa cost or paperwork.
Re-entering India from Nepal
If your India e-visa is a 30-Day visa (double entry) or a 😎👍, you can re-enter India after your Nepal visit without any problem. Your India e-visa remains valid for re-entry, provided your original visa period has not expired and you have not exceeded the permitted days.
Prime Value Tours Tip: We handle the Nepal border crossing paperwork for all our Buddhist pilgrimage groups. Our local agents at the Sonauli crossing ensure the process is smooth — our guests simply follow our guide and walk across. No surprises.
Common Mistakes to Avoid — India e-Visa for Thai Citizens
1. Applying Too Late
The most common mistake. Many travellers assume the visa arrives within 24 hours. Apply at least 4–7 days in advance, more during peak pilgrimage season (October–February).
2. Using Third-Party Websites
Many unofficial websites appear at the top of search results for ‘India visa Thailand’. They charge extra service fees (sometimes USD 50 or more) on top of the government fee and sometimes cause delays. Always use indianvisaonline.gov.in.
3. Wrong Photograph
The photo must be recent, white background, front-facing, and within the correct file size (10 KB to 1 MB, JPEG). Applications with incorrect photos are the second most common reason for rejection.
4. Passport Details Mismatch
The name, date of birth, and passport number you enter in the application must exactly match what is in your Thai passport. A single character difference — for example, a middle name that appears on the passport but is left out of the form — causes the application to be rejected.
5. Passport Validity Under 6 Months
If your passport expires within 6 months of your India arrival date, renew it before applying. Indian immigration will deny entry even if the e-visa is approved.
6. Forgetting to Print the ETA
The e-visa email approval (ETA) must be printed and presented at immigration. Showing it on a phone screen is not always accepted. Print two copies — keep one with your carry-on and one in your checked baggage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend my India e-visa once I am in India?
Tourist e-visas are generally not extendable in India. If you need to stay longer, you should apply for the 1-year e-visa before travel. In exceptional circumstances, visa extensions can be applied for through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), but this is a complex process. Plan your visa type correctly before you travel.
My group has 30 people. Can we all apply individually?
Yes. Each member of the group applies separately through the online portal. There is no group visa application system for India. When Prime Value Tours organises a group tour, we send each traveller a step-by-step application guide and are available to help anyone who encounters difficulty.
Is the India e-visa valid for Gaya airport (Bodhgaya)?
Yes. Gaya International Airport (airport code: GAY) in Bihar is a designated e-visa entry point. Many Thai Buddhist pilgrim groups fly directly Bangkok–Gaya, which is the most convenient arrival for the Buddhist Circuit. The e-visa is fully valid here.
What is the India Arrival Card? Do I need to fill it in?
India introduced a new digital arrival card system for foreign tourists. This is a separate form from the e-visa and is filled in online before you board your flight to India. Check the official Indian immigration website for the latest requirements, as these digital forms can change. Prime Value Tours updates all tour guests on current arrival requirements before each tour.
I have never applied for an Indian visa before. Is the online process complicated?
The form takes about 15 minutes if you have your documents ready. The main challenge for some applicants is uploading the correct photo file. If you are travelling with Prime Value Tours, our team will provide you with a full pre-travel checklist including visa application guidance, so you are never alone in the process.
How Prime Value Tours Helps With Your India Visa
We do not process visa applications on behalf of clients — only you can complete the application using your own passport details. However, as part of every Prime Value Tours package, we provide:
- A detailed visa application guide specific to Thai citizens, in simple step-by-step format
- A formal tour confirmation letter you can use in your e-visa application as proof of your India itinerary
- Pre-travel briefings covering current entry requirements, arrival card requirements, and Nepal border procedures
- Direct support via LINE and WhatsApp if any guest encounters a difficulty during their application
We have organised thousands of Thai group visas over 25 years and know every step of this process. Our guests land in India feeling prepared and informed — never confused at the airport.
Ready to Plan Your India Tour from Thailand?
Getting your India e-visa is the easy part. The harder part — building an itinerary that combines the right Buddhist sites, comfortable hotels, reliable transport, and an experienced local guide — is exactly what Prime Value Tours has specialised in since 1999.
Whether you are planning a Buddhist pilgrimage to Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar and Lumbini, or a Golden Triangle tour to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, we handle every detail so that you can focus on the journey itself.
- Email: info@primevaluetours.com
- Line: line.me/ti/p/6QtZRvYpeP
- WhatsApp: +91-9794122849
- Web: https://primevaluetours.com
Contact us with your group size, preferred travel dates, and any questions about the visa process — we respond within 24 hours.