(THAILAND) Claims that Thailand has joined with Qatar, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Oman to create a shared visa-on-arrival scheme for Indian nationals are not backed by any official evidence as of December 2025, despite wide attention on social media and travel forums among Indian tourists eager for easier multi-country trips.
Thai immigration officials have not announced any regional alliance focused on Indian travelers, and there are no joint statements from the governments of Qatar, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, or Oman that point to a coordinated visa project. Instead, each country continues to apply its own rules, even though all of them offer relatively easy short-term entry to Indian passport holders through visa-free access, visa-on-arrival, or electronic approvals.
Thailand: current policy and recent changes
For Thailand, the current policy is especially friendly for Indian visitors. Indian nationals do not need a visa for short trips for tourism or business.
- Under the present visa exemption, Indians can stay in Thailand for up to 60 days per entry — a longer period than many regional destinations offer.
- This exemption is valid for arrivals through international airports and at authorized land border checkpoints, giving Indian travelers wide flexibility in how they enter the country.
The most recent concrete policy change for Thailand relates to arrival registration, not a shared visa scheme. In May 2025, Thai authorities introduced the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), a mandatory online form that all foreign visitors, including Indian nationals, must complete at least three days before arriving in the country. The TDAC fully replaces the old paper TM6 form that used to be handed out on planes and at borders.
The TDAC system, available through the official Thai Immigration platform at tdac.immigration.go.th, requests basic personal details, passport information, travel plans, and contact details in Thailand. Immigration officers use this data to speed up checks at the border and to keep more accurate records for both security and public health reasons.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the digital card is part of a wider regional trend toward online pre-arrival registration instead of paper forms completed on the spot.
Arrival requirements for Indian visitors to Thailand
Indian travelers must meet standard entry checks linked to the visa exemption:
- Valid passport
- Confirmed return or onward ticket
- Proof of sufficient funds:
- 10,000 Thai baht for an individual
- 20,000 Thai baht for a family
Border officers may also request proof of hotel bookings or other accommodation arrangements, especially if travelers indicate plans to stay close to the full 60 days.
Potential policy debates within Thailand
There has been political discussion about whether the current 60‑day visa-free period should be reduced to 30 days later in 2025. These debates are driven by concerns about overstays and people using tourist entry for work without proper permits.
- However, there has been no official order or legal change yet — the 60‑day limit remains in force.
- The government has not linked those talks to any regional cooperation with Qatar, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, or Oman.
How the other four countries handle Indian travelers
While Thailand uses visa exemption, the other four countries mentioned offer different but generally easy paths for Indian travelers. There is no single shared system — each country operates independently.
| Country | Entry option for Indian nationals | Typical stay | Notes / official site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar | Visa-on-arrival | Up to 30 days | Issued at Hamad International Airport; see moi.gov.qa |
| Malaysia | Visa-on-arrival (subject to conditions) | 30 days | Eligibility conditions have changed often; check imi.gov.my |
| Sri Lanka | Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) | 30 days | Apply in advance at eta.gov.lk; pre-clearance then entry stamp on arrival |
| Oman | Visa-on-arrival | 14 days | Typically at Muscat International Airport; may be extendable; see evisa.rop.gov.om |
- Qatar: Travelers should carry a confirmed onward or return ticket and may be asked to show hotel bookings or proof of funds. Details are on the Qatari Interior Ministry site at moi.gov.qa.
- Malaysia: Rules around proof of funds, previous travel history, or airline routes used are frequently adjusted. Verify the latest policy at imi.gov.my before booking.
- Sri Lanka: The ETA acts as online pre-approval. Apply via eta.gov.lk; on arrival the ETA is confirmed and an entry stamp is issued.
- Oman: Short-term visa-on-arrival for 14 days, usually available at Muscat and certain other points. It may be extendable for fees and subject to conditions; check evisa.rop.gov.om.
No multilateral agreement — why confusion persists
Officials and independent analysts stress there is no joint or multilateral agreement connecting these visa or entry policies for Indian nationals. There is no common platform, shared database, or “single visa” that covers more than one of these countries.
What has created confusion is the visual pattern: five countries, all popular with Indian tourists and workers, all offering some form of visa-on-arrival or quick digital entry. Travel bloggers and agents have sometimes described this as a “bloc” or a “combined access zone,” but government websites tell a different story — each set of rules stands alone.
A clearance granted by one border officer—say, in Bangkok—has no legal force when a traveler later lands in Doha, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, or Muscat.
Practical advice for Indian nationals planning multi-country trips
For Indian nationals planning multi-country trips in the region, the practical consequences are clear: treat each country’s entry rules separately. Check eligibility, documentation, and allowed duration of stay for each destination.
- Example: A family flying from Mumbai to Bangkok, then on to Kuala Lumpur and Doha must meet three different entry systems, even though all three offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival.
- Missing a requirement for any one stop can lead to denied boarding at the airport or refusal of entry on arrival.
Travel advisers often recommend:
- Verify each country’s current rules on official immigration or foreign ministry websites.
- Print or save confirmation screens (e.g., TDAC) and travel authorizations.
- Carry proof of return/onward tickets, hotel bookings, and sufficient funds.
- For longer stays or work/study, apply for the appropriate visa well before travel.
For Thailand, complete the TDAC at least three days before arrival and keep the confirmation handy. Also carry onward tickets, hotel bookings, and sufficient funds as proof during border checks.
Thailand-specific practical tips
Thai officials quietly welcome the growing Indian tourist market. The 60‑day visa exemption and simple requirements have made Thailand popular with long-stay tourists, remote workers on tourist entry, and repeat visitors from India.
- Authorities are tightening digital checks (e.g., TDAC) to monitor overstays and potential unauthorized work.
- Travel advisers encourage visitors to print or save TDAC confirmations because carriers sometimes request evidence at check-in, especially soon after a new digital requirement is introduced.
- For those needing a traditional visa (longer-term work, study, or stays beyond the tourist exemption), use the Thai e‑visa platform at thaievisa.go.th. This system is separate from visa-on-arrival or visa-exempt entry.
Warnings and final takeaway
Officials in all five countries warn that visa rules can change quickly. Security concerns, economic shifts, or spikes in overstays can trigger short-notice adjustments that affect Indian nationals.
- Rely on official immigration or foreign ministry websites, not social media or outdated blogs.
- Small mistakes (for example, overstaying by a few days) can result in fines, detention, or bans on future entry.
In the absence of any shared visa-on-arrival agreement, Indian citizens remain welcome in each destination — but only under that country’s own laws. For now, the idea of a regional “one-stop” entry remains largely discussed online, while real authority rests with five separate immigration systems, each acting independently.
Social-media claims of a regional shared visa scheme covering Thailand, Qatar, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Oman for Indian nationals lack official evidence as of December 2025. Each country applies its own entry rules — visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or electronic authorization. Thailand allows Indian visitors up to 60 days per entry and introduced the mandatory Thailand Digital Arrival Card in May 2025. Travelers should verify requirements on official immigration sites and prepare documentation for each destination.
