Good news for travellers to Thailand: an e-Visa lets you apply online without visiting an embassy. This guide walks through the online application step by step in 2026 — fees, documents, processing and common mistakes.
Thailand visa at a glance
| Visa required? | Yes, for many nationalities |
|---|---|
| Main visa type | Tourist Visa (TR) e-Visa |
| Government fee | THB 1,000 (approx; varies by embassy, ~INR 2,500 for Indian applicants) |
| Processing time | Approx 14 working days |
| Validity | 3 months from issue |
| Permitted stay | 60 days |
| Where to apply | https://www.thaievisa.go.th |
| HolidaySG assistance fee | S$65 per applicant (usually S$100) |
Thailand e-Visa at a glance
- Fee: THB 1,000 (approx; varies by embassy, ~INR 2,500 for Indian applicants)
- Processing: Approx 14 working days
- Validity: 3 months from issue
- Permitted stay: 60 days
- Where to apply: https://www.thaievisa.go.th
Thailand runs an official e-Visa at thaievisa.go.th - but Indian AND Singapore passport holders don't even need it for tourism: both enjoy 30-day visa-free entry (reduced from 60 days in 2026). Just remember the mandatory (free) Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within 72 hours before you fly.
How to apply for the Thailand e-Visa online
- Open the official e-Visa portal (https://www.thaievisa.go.th) and start a new application.
- Fill in your passport and travel details exactly as they appear in your passport.
- Upload a scan of your passport bio page and a compliant photo.
- Pay the fee (THB 1,000 (approx; varies by embassy, ~INR 2,500 for Indian applicants)) by card.
- Wait for the emailed approval (Approx 14 working days), then print or save it to show on arrival.
Documents you upload
- Passport valid 6+ months
- Passport-style photo
- Proof of accommodation
- Return/onward ticket
- Proof of funds (~THB 20,000 per person)
- Bank statement
Common mistakes, delays and rejection reasons
From handling Thailand visa applications, these are the issues that most often cause delays or refusals. Avoiding them is the single biggest thing you can control:
- Passport validity: many countries require at least six months' validity beyond your travel dates — renew early if yours is close.
- Insufficient proof of funds: bank statements that are too thin, too new, or not in your name are a common reason for delays. Show a stable balance over the last 3–6 months.
- Photo specification errors: wrong size, background colour, glasses or a smile can bounce an application. Follow the exact spec for Thailand.
- Applying too late: submit well before departure — allow the full processing window plus a buffer, not the minimum.
- Mismatched documents: names, dates and passport numbers must match exactly across your form, flight and hotel bookings.
- Weak ties to your home country: employment letters, leave approval and return bookings help show you intend to return.
- Prior overstays or refusals: declare them honestly; hiding history causes more problems than the history itself.
- Forgetting the arrival card: TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) — mandatory & free, up to 72 h before arrival — tdac.immigration.go.th — complete it in the correct window or you can be delayed at the border.
Before you travel to Thailand
- Arrival card / declaration: TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) — mandatory & free, up to 72 h before arrival — tdac.immigration.go.th
- Onward or return ticket: carry proof — airlines and immigration can ask for it.
- Funds: have evidence of enough money for your stay (card and some local currency).
- Travel insurance: strongly recommended, and mandatory for some destinations.
- Copies: keep a digital and paper copy of your visa/approval and passport photo page.
Things to do once your Thailand visa is sorted
Popular experiences in Thailand you can book on HolidaySG:
- Frost Magical Ice of Siam — from THB 235
- Mahanakhon Skywalk (Group Min 20 Pax) — from THB 896
- Hanuman World Phuket — from THB 269
- Mai Khao (HKT) Airport Transfer (1 Way to South West Phuket) — from SGD 54
- Madame Tussauds Bangkok — from THB 320
- Mallika City, 1905 A.D. “City of culture and lifestyle — from THB 34
Official sources
- Thai Immigration Bureau — verified 16 August 2026
- Thai e-Visa (MFA) — verified 19 August 2026
Last updated 20 August 2026. Written and reviewed by the HolidaySG visa team and checked against the official sources above (facts verified 19 August 2026). Visa rules change and depend on your passport, residence and purpose of travel — always confirm with the official source before booking, or use our visa checker. HolidaySG re-confirms current requirements at the time of your application.