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Launches new digital Nomad Visa
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Thailand’s visa reforms signal a strong push to attract Indian tourists, professionals and long-stay visitors in the coming years
Thailand has introduced major visa reforms that will make travel easier and more attractive for Indian visitors. From 13 February, Indian passport holders can stay in Thailand for up to 60 days without a visa, doubling the previous 30-day visa-on-arrival period. This change places India on Thailand’s new “Form 60” visa-exempt list, which now includes 93 nationalities.
At the same time, Thailand has launched the new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), aimed at digital nomads, freelancers and long-stay travellers. The DTV is valid for one year with multiple entries and allows visitors to stay up to 180 days in a single visit, provided their income comes from outside Thailand. This is expected to appeal strongly to Indian remote workers and tech professionals who often spend extended periods abroad.
The reforms also simplify the overall visa system. Thailand has reduced non-immigrant visa categories from 17 to seven, expanded its global e-visa system to all embassies and consulates, and will introduce a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) QR system by May, replacing paper forms at airports. These changes aim to make entry procedures fully digital and faster
India is one of Thailand’s fastest-growing tourism markets. Nearly 1.9 million Indians visited Thailand in 2025, many for business events and group travel. The longer visa-free period will encourage travellers to combine business trips with leisure travel across multiple cities, boosting tourism spending. Airlines are already increasing capacity on key routes such as Bengaluru–Phuket and Mumbai–Bangkok.
For remote workers, the DTV removes the need for frequent border runs to neighbouring countries. However, Indian residents must still follow Indian tax rules for foreign income. Companies sending staff to Thailand should also review updated work visa categories, as further guidance is expected soon.
