Thailand eVisa VS VOA For Indians: Which Tourist Visa Is Better?

For Indians, Thailand is relatively easy to travel to and an affordable destination, making Thailand the perfect destination for an affordable getaway.

But before you can travel to Thailand, you must know the best visa to get for Thailand, so we will look specifically at:

Thailand eVisa For Indians: It is a visa on arrival that you can apply for online before your trip. It costs THB 2500 for a single entry visa, valid for 30 days, and allows a stay of a maximum of 30 days.

Thailand VOA For Indians: Can be applied for upon landing in Thailand. For this, you pay THB 2000 for a single entry visa for a 15 to 30-day stay based on immigration authorities.

In this blog, we'll also look at the benefits, pros and cons, costs, and validity of the two tourist visas for Thailand from India in 2023. Keep reading to find out more.

---

Yes. Indians need a visa for them to enter Thailand. This means that Indian citizens must apply for a visa to be able to enter the country for any purpose.

Indian citizens will have to apply for 30 days Thai eVisa on arrival online or a Thai visa on arrival upon reaching Thailand.

Additionally, Indians can apply for a Thailand tourist visa at a visa application center in India for a longer stay in the country.

However, for the sake of this blog, we mainly focus on visas for tourism purposes and the difference between the visa application process.

Please note that the validity of the Visa on Arrival has changed from 15 days to 30 days. This change is currently in effect until 31st March 2023. Here is the Thai embassy announcement.

---

Don't want to spend hours in a queue waiting for your VOA? Or apply quickly for your Thailand eVisa?

Well, lucky for you, Atlys is here to help!

With Atlys, you can apply for a Thailand visa in under 10 minutes! Download the Atlys app, fill out the visa application, pay, and easily track your visa directly on your smartphone.

It doesn't stop there. You can use the free visa photo available on the Atlys app!

---

Now that you have a sound understanding of the Thailand tourist visa, it is time to know the difference between the two. So let us begin:

What Is A Thailand EVOA For Indians?

The Thai government introduced the Thailand eVisa or eVOA for Indians, allowing you to apply online before your travel date. The application form looks like this:

You can apply for the evisa from the comfort of your home using Atlys or through Visa application center. So, instead of waiting in long queues at the immigration desk at the checkpoint in Thailand, you can have your Thailand VOA for Indians pre-approved.

For this online Thailand visa, Indian citizens must fill out an online application form through the visa as mentioned earlier services platforms. Once the Thailand eVOA application is approved, you will receive the Transaction Reference Number (TRN), which you must print and carry on your trip to Thailand.

To find out more about the online Thailand visa application process, required documents, costs, and so much more, you can check out our dedicated Thailand E Visa On Arrival for Indians blog.

What Is A Thailand VOA?

This visa is almost the same as the e Visa on arrival. However, you can't apply for a pre-approved visa with this visa. Instead, you must apply at the Immigration counter in Thailand at the airport.

To learn more about the required documents, fees, application process, and so much more, you can check out our dedicated blog for the Visa On Arrival for Indians In Thailand.

Thailand Visa Validity

The validity of the visa refers to how long your visa is valid. For example, the validity of the two visas are:

Thailand e Visa On Arrival For Indians: The Thailand tourist visa online is only valid from the date of issuance and allows you to stay for a maximum of 30 days in Thailand. Additionally, the Thailand eVOA is only valid for a single entry in Thailand.

Thailand VOA For Indians: Similarly, the Thailand VOA is valid for 30 days once you receive the entry stay and must leave the country before the expiry of the visa.

Thailand Tourist Visa Price

Thailand eVisa For Indians: The visa fee is 2000 THB and an additional service fee of 500 THB. Which is approximate INR 5000. You can pay the Thailand eVOA fees online using your credit or debit card. The visa fees for Thailand eVOA are non-refundable under any circumstances.

Thailand VOA For Indians: The VOA fees must be paid only in cash and Thai Baht when applying at the immigration desk. The VOA fee is 2000 Baht, approximately INR 4000, and is non-refundable.

Payment Methods For A Thailand Tourist Visa For Indians

For Thailand eVOA: You can pay the visa fee online using only your credit card or debit card.

Then, Thailand VOA For Indians: You can only pay for the Thailand VOA for Indians in cash. You must also pay the VOA fees in Thai currency, Baht.

Can Indians Extend The Thailand Visa?

No. Unfortunately, Indians can't extend the Thailand eVOA or Thailand VOA For Indians.

Pros For The Thai Visa

Thailand eVisa For Indians: The benefits of the E Visa are that you can receive a pre-approved eVisa in 24-72 hours after you apply. The application process is also quick and hassle-free and offers faster immigration clearance. In addition, you can submit your documents online and apply from the comfort of your home. Last but not least, you can pay for the visa fee online.

Thailand VOA For Indians: You don't have to apply for the visa in advance and get it directly from the airport in Thailand. It can be especially helpful for unplanned trips to Thailand. The Visa On Arrival is also less expensive than the eVOA.

Cons Of A Tourist Visa For Thailand From India 2023

Thailand eVisa For Indians: You can use the Thailand eVOA specific airports in Thailand. You cannot use it if you travel to other airports. The Thailand eVOA fees are slightly pricier than Thai VOA. The Thailand eVOA does not guarantee entry to Thailand, and the immigration officers have the right to deny your entry. Lastly, you must also carry all the required documents along with the application form for the immigration officer to stamp your visa on your passport.

Thailand VOA For Indians: You must wait in long queues and carry the required documents. You might also get the visa application rejected if you do not provide the necessary documents. Additionally, you have to pay for the VOA fees in cash in Thai Baht. The Thai VOA application can be stressful, especially after a long flight.

Which One Is The Easiest Visa?

I recommend the Thailand eVOA. That's because the application process is quick and straightforward. Best of all, you can apply for the evisa from the comfort of your own home. Also, because you get a pre-approved visa, you don't have to stand in a queue at the airport (like you would with the traditional VOA).

---

This section is about some extra things you need to know about the Thailand tourist visa.

What Are The Ways To Apply For Thailand Visa for Indians?

You can apply for your tourist visa for Thailand from India in 2023 in multiple ways. Some of the ways to apply for a Thailand visa for Indians are:

• Atlys. You can apply for your Thailand tourist visa online through Atlys.
• Thailand eVisa through visa application center
• Thailand standard visa through visa application center
• Visa agents
• At the immigration counter at the checkpoint in Thailand

You cannot apply for a Thailand visa for Indians directly through the Royal Thai Embassy. Instead, you must use one of the services mentioned above. Or read our dedicated blog explaining different ways to apply for a Thai visa.

Which Immigration Checkpoints Issue Thailand Visa On Arrival For Indians?

Several checkpoints throughout Thailand issue Thailand visas on arrival for Indians. Some of the checkpoints where the Immigration Bureau issues Thailand visas on arrival for Indians are:

• Suvarnabhumi Airport
• Chiangmai International Airport, Chiangmai
• Don Mueang International Airport, Bangkok
• Phuket International Airport, Phuket
• Phuket Immigration Checkpoint, Phuket
• And many other

You can find a complete list of the checkpoints issuing Thailand VOA for Indians

Which Immigration Checkpoints Allow Thailand E Visa On Arrival For Indians?

With the approved Thailand eVOA, you can arrive at one of the 4 below-mentioned Thailand airports:

• Suvarnabhumi International Airport
• Don Mueang International Airport
• Chiang Mai International Airport
• Phuket International Airport

---

Well, depending on your need, you must decide the type of visa you must apply for. For example, if you have time to apply for a Thailand visa, you can opt for the Thailand eVOA. And apply for your Thai eVisa on Atlys.

In contrast, if you need to visit Thailand on short notice and do not have time to apply for a visa. Indian citizens, in that case, can apply for a Thailand VOA for Indians upon reaching Thailand.

Additionally, Indian citizens can apply for a standard Thailand tourist visa for Indians that allows them to stay in the country for a more extended time.

And that is all for this blog. If you have any lingering questions, check out our FAQ section.

Happy Traveling!

Trusted Government Resources:

All the information in this blog is gathered from trusted government resources to ensure you get accurate and updated information.

• Royal Thai Consulate in Chennai
• VFS Global