Indian Tourist Visa in Bangkok

Update: May 11, 2018 - It now appears that the Indian government has once again changed its policy for issuing standard tourist visas in Bangkok for those who are not Thai citizens. The information needed for processing is provided by their vias processing partner, VFS Global. Click here to access the VFS Global official web site. Click through the steps and read very carefully. There is an additional form you must download, click here to download the form.

I also recommend you read very carefully the visa application requirements as listed on the "official" Indian government web site here in Bangkok. Click here for this information.

VFS Global is only the processing center in Bangkok where you will submit all of the documents you created during the online application process on the "official" Indian government web site. The VFS Global web site will give you the web address to the Indian government visa application web page or you click here, it is the link to the same web site.

However, if you do not want more than a 30 days stay visa and wish to avoid the issues with applying for a regular tourist visa, then I recommend applying online for their e-Visa. Click here for that.

Update: February 15, 2017 - While in Cambodia I asked an associate who was going to Bangkok in an effort to obtain a standard Indian tourist visa in Bangkok to verify the status of doing this. He confirmed with the visa processing staff that the Indian government was not, I repeat, not issuing a standard tourist visa unless you had Thai nationality or citizenship. eVisa only.

Update: March 10, 2016 - There is a lot of reporting that the Indian Embassy has suspended issuing standard tourist visas in Bangkok for any nationalities other than Thai nationals or someone who has residency in Thailand.  Further more, if in Bangkok, from the reporting, even if you were to use the online Visa Application process, complete this, print this, and have booked flights thinking you will receive a visa in Bangkok, it will be a waste of time.  You can do what is known as an e-Tourist Visa which is very limited (30) days stay and if your plans were to travel in India for an extended period of time, this is type visa seems a waste of time.  There is no information on any Indian Embassy web site, especially for Bangkok, which clearly states what I have detailed regarding not giving longer term standard tourist visas in Bangkok.  Therefore, before heading to Bangkok thinking you can get a standard tourist visa in Bangkok, I suggest that you do some research to verify it is possible which at the time seems it is not.

Below is the original posting on July 11, 2012 with updates but above is the current information as best as we can determine.

Getting a tourist visa for India while in Bangkok is a relative easy task once you understand how this is accomplished and this post will provide needed information.

Updated 29th August, 2015 - As is usual for the government, they have once again changed their visa application procedures, web sites for online application processing and other things such as adding bio-metric data gathering.  Below seems to be the "current" web sites to use and data related to making a visa application in Bangkok.

First for the web site to make the online application for normal tourist visa's, click here and then click the tab "Regular Visa Application" and follow the process required on the web site. Additionally, I recommend you read the overview prior to starting the application process.

It appears that India has implemented a new visa scheme called e-Tourist Visa or e-TV.  Click here to go to this part of their web site and read about this new visa scheme.  It appears that if you select this type of visa, it is extremely limited, can not be extended, you can not travel in restricted areas and this visa is only for a 30 days stay.  For full details on the E-TV visa I strongly suggest that you read the section called "Instructions for Applicant" which is on the left side of the web page.  It is there you will see the limitations and fine print concerning this visa.  If you want to have a longer stay than 30 days and would also like to visit restricted areas and additional abilities to maybe extend your visa, then this type of visa is NOT for you.  Therefore I suggest you use the link above for the normal tourist visa.

Now, in the past, all of the online application processing was done by the visa processing partner in Bangkok called IVS International.  You would do the online application on their web site, print it then take the application to their office for processing.

However, IVS International is not doing the online visa processing but you must still take your completed online visa application to their office for processing.  Skip down the post and see the information regarding the IVS International location so you will know where to take the application.

If you were to click the IVS link below you will go to their web site but it is of little help and they have removed their online visa processing links, so all you will see is data which may or may not be accurate, however, you will also need what is called a Reference Form and you can download that form from the IVS International web site because I do not believe they have that form at their location.

I also suggest that you go to the section called "Instructions for Form" and read this information. Additionally when reading this part, it is stated to take the application the the Indian Mission which is confusing because if you will read the section titled "Overview" it clearly states to submit the application to the processing partner which in Bangkok, is IVS International.

Finally, the balance of the information in the 25 September, 2013 update is still valid but with the government of India, always be prepared for changes as they love to change things about every 6 months.  Additionally the government implemented a "Visa on Arrival" scheme which is for a limited number of nationalities, but unless you are prepared for a nightmare at the airport upon your arrival in India, then I strongly suggest that you DO NOT even consider this option.

Updated 25th September, 2013 - This is an advisory post for those who are in Bangkok and applying for a tourist visa to India.

Please note that all links in this post will open in a new browser tab or window.

India has now established its new Visa processing partner in Bangkok which is known as IVS International. Their location is not too far from the Bangkok CBD. Read below for more details, information and links.

First you need to be aware that you do not go to the Indian Embassy for an application, the Indian government uses an organization called IVS International which provides an online application process for completing and printing the visa application.  After going through this online process you take the printed application to the physical office location of IVS in Bangkok and go through their submission process.

The location of the IVS office, address is, 253 Ashok Building on the 22nd floor which can be accessed by the Phetchaburi MRT station. Click here for the map.

When arriving at the Phetchaburi MRT station, take exit 2 which is the closest exit to the building where the IVS office is located. When you exit the MRT make a U-turn then go in that direction. Walking time is about 3 minutes and you will cross over one of the Klongs (waterways) and after you get to the other side of the Klong, the building is on your right.

Proceed to the back of the lobby to the elevators and when you get off you will see the IVS logo on the door, you will go through a security check, turn off mobile phones, security wand passed over your entire body.

Go through main door, wait just inside the door. There is a smallish desk on the back wall to the right. You will take your documents and submit the entire package to the person at the desk where the documents will be checked for errors or missing items.

You will receive a cue number slip for your turn to submit your visa application documents at one of the 7 windows. The IVS office is not very large, has a minimum of chairs and processing does not move very fast.

With this change of processing partner the government of India has also added new requirements when submitting for a visa.

Here are the main requirements;

• Confirmed reservation ticket for inbound transportation, either flight or ocean vessel.
• 1 Photograph, 2 inches X 2 inches, full frontal shot, white background
• Confirmed Hotel Reservation
• According to the web site, you must also have a confirmed ticket for departure from India.
• Reference Document, see below details.

*** Special Note*** In the past is was not required to have a return ticket out of the country and it is possible to include a typed document with your visa application stating that you do not have a departure date confirmed but you must be able to provide a very convincing reason for not having this ticket. If you attempt this approach, there is no guarantee you will get your visa, nor can I say that you would be refused the visa either.

I also suggest that you make a typed itinerary of where you plan on going. This is not a requirement but it can help with the visa application process. The Indian government likes to see this sort of stuff and adding this can only strengthen your visa request. It demonstrates that you have a plan for your travels. 

It never surprises me to find many people who have come to India and purposely overstay their visa. This is a very common occurrence and it is one reason the government is becoming so strict on the outbound details, they want to know you are leaving.

In addition to the above, you must go online and complete the visa application and print it to take to the IVS office. Make very certain that the application is complete with no errors or it will be rejected.

You will also need 2 photocopies of your passport, one to be attached to the visa application, the second copy is returned to you as your pickup receipt and if you are not holding a Thai residential permit, you will need to complete an additional "Reference Document" which as far as I could determine, you can not obtain one at the IVS office and if you can get at the IVS office they charge for it, or take this link and download a free copy from the web site.

The photograph requirements keep changing and I can not stress the point, you will need to have a 2inch x 2inch photograph.  If it is the slightest bit smaller or larger, they will not accept it. This is a mistake made by many people and if you are short on time then you will be forced to have another photo taken and printed to the correct size and then return either later that day or the next.

Additionally, in years past the processing time for a tourist visa was 5 business days, however, the Indian Embassy has now changed this processing time noting that the minimum time is 6 business days.

I visited the IVS office to verify this data and everyone I asked stated that the processing time was between 6-8 business days unless you are a Thai national, so please make time for 6-8 business days for processing.

If you are an American citizen you will be charged an additional 1000TB.  Since I travel on an American passport, the total charges that I paid were 3230TB and here is the cost breakdown. These are the fees for 2012 and could have changed but not by much.

Visa Fee:   1700TB

Consular Fees:  70TB

IVS Service Charge Fee:  15TB

Referral/Reference Fee:  400TB

US Citizen Fee:  1000TB

For most nationalities the above fees are the same with the exception for American citizens, however, fees change and the IVS web site is the best place to look for current information. British citizens have had their fees increased for some unknown reason and they are very expensive even compared to the American visa fees. I do suggest that you take this link for the fee structure as listed on the Indian government web site.

There are additional fees listed below;

• SMS Fee 60TB to send you either a text msg or email telling your visa is ready for pickup
• Courier Service Fee: 200TB to have your passport with approved visa sent to your location in BKK

It is possible to avoid the courier fee if you tell them you are personally picking up your passport with the visa at the IVS office but make sure that you tell the girls at the processing window before you pay or you will be charged this fee even if you pick up your passport personally.

If you are considering going to Nepal from India and then returning to India for a flight back to your home country or another country, this can present an issue.

This next point is critical to understand.  First let me explain what I mean. The below in red is the current rule for reentry into India for multiple entry visas.  This new rule will effectively make it easier for going to Nepal and returning without the 2 months waiting period or the reentry permit for certain nationalities as listed.

However, the rules do change a lot and I strongly recommend to all readers to check the IVS web site for the most current and up to date rules.

The rules for multi-entry or double entry visas are complicated. I suggest that you do the research needed for this well ahead of going to Nepal via India unless you have a departing flight from Nepal to another destination.

One of the rules I read was that if you submitted a visa request and were going to a neighboring country such as Nepal, then you needed to show proof of the flight to the neighboring country. The problem with this is if you were going to Nepal by bus, how do you present a bus ticket you do not have?

Then it starts becoming more complicated as the provisions for using a multiple entry or double entry visa is not very straight forward.

For a tourist visa you will normally receive a 6 months validity, multiple entry visa.  This sounds good until you understand what the problem is with this type of visa.  The problem with this visa is that even though you can get multiple entries, you must wait 2 months between your exit from India until you can re-enter India.  So, if you were going to Nepal then you would be required to wait 2 months before you can re-entry India.  This section may have changed.

In the past there was a work around which stated that if your departing flight back to your home country or other destination was originating in India, then you could re-enter India so you could take your flight.  However, to accomplish this you were required to visit the Indian consulate in Nepal and request a re-entry permit and pay for this permit.  This also takes time and planning on the part of the traveler to make sure that you have done this in advance of trying to cross the border by land or air.

In researching the current status on this re-entry I can not locate any information which clearly states that the ability to get the re-entry permit based on a departing flight is still workable.

The other visa option is called a “Double Entry – Re-Entry Permit” type.

This type of visa will only allow two entries into India but has a re-entry permit built in to the visa.  If you are going to Nepal and need to return to India for your flight home or another country this is the visa option you need to request when making the online visa application.

For the most seemingly current information on this subject click this link, go the the Visa Information tab, click that and read section 11, Tourist Visa.

When I submitted my application in 2012, I made sure that I again had a typed letter stating my travel plans, where in India I planned to visit along with making sure that I clearly stated that I would be traveling to Nepal and was requesting the double entry visa.  This letter was attached to my application along with all other documents being forwarded to the Indian Embassy in Bangkok.

I was told however that I would most probably be granted the double entry visa but of course they could not guarantee this would happen but it most likely would be granted but again there were no guarantees but most likely.

My suggestion if you are going to request the double entry visa is, make sure that you have a printed document stating your request for this type of visa and clearly state your intentions of going to Nepal overland, not by air as they can not deny you for lack of an airplane ticket.  I would also have at least one confirmed hotel booking printed for Nepal showing an arrival date.

Take this with you and submit it along with the other documents and make sure that they or you have it attached to all the other documents so it will not get separated.

Lastly, after you submit you applications they will give you back one copy of the passport you presented along with your payment receipt.  Do not lose this paperwork or you will not be getting your visa much less your passport.

I am not positive if the below is still applicable. Once you submit you application at the IVS office you should ask questions about this or they will tell you when you submit the application but it is always your responsibility to understand how any visa application process will work.  

You will also need to be checking your email as the IVS will send you a confirming email about your application and in this email you will find a link to track the progress of the visa application.  However, the only way you can track the application is by having certain information contained on the payment receipt such as the reference number and as of this writing you will also need to input your birth date.

To summarize, I strongly urge you to visit the IVS web site well in advance to check for any changes.  Go to the individual tabs to check for processing time, costs and any other changes which might and will usually take place. Each time I apply for a visa the rules are different, and the last time to applied for a visa to India was July 2012.  The women working in the office advised me that there are changes every 6 month and I find this very true.

Travel Safe, Travel Happy