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

The Thai government offers the Thailand evisa or eVOA for Indians, allowing you to apply online before your travel date.

You can apply for the evisa from the comfort of your home using Atlys or through a visa application centre. 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 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 learn 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.

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. Remember that this option might sound convenient and hassle-free, but the VOA approval is not guaranteed, and the decision rests with the immigration authorities. This uncertainty can lead to potential complications and disruptions in travel plans.

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.

Atlys strongly recommends that you get your visa before your travels. In this case, getting the Thailand E VOA is recommended.

You can apply for your tourist visa for Thailand from India 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 for Indians through a visa application centre.

Thailand standard visa through visa application centre.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Between the Thailand evisa or visa on arrival, 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).

Thailand eVisa for Indians: The visa fee is 2000 THB, and an additional service fee of 500 THB. Which is approximately ₹ 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 ₹ 4000, and is non-refundable.

The validity of the visa refers to how long your visa is valid. Here is the validity for the Thailand e-visa VS visa on arrival for Indians.

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. The Thailand eVOA is also only valid for a single entry in Thailand.

Thailand VOA For Indians: Similarly, the Thailand VOA is valid for 15 days once you receive the entry stay and must leave the country before the expiry of the visa.

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

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.