Apply for Indian Visa in Chiang Mai – Documents & Steps

Last Updated on September 4, 2024

For awhile now we’ve known we wanted to go to India, so when we found a great bargain on cheap flights to India, we couldn’t resist. Unfortunately, we booked flights without realizing we could not apply for an Indian iVisa while we were in Malaysia, as only residents of Malaysia are permitted to apply. Luckily, we were headed back to Thailand, where non-Thai nationals can apply for the Indian Visa. The best part, we then discovered, was that we could apply in Chiang Mai, without having to take an extra trip to Bangkok to do it. Read on for details on how to apply for an Indian Visa in Chiang Mai.

How to apply for an Indian Visa in Chiang Mai

Prepare Required Documents: First thing’s first – gather up all the necessary documents. What might those be? They’re a valid passport that has at least six months of validity and two blank pages left. You also need a completed and signed visa application form. Also, have two recent passport-sized photographs, proof of residence in Chiang Mai (e.g., rental agreement or utility bill), and proof of onward travel (e.g., flight tickets).

Complete the Visa Application Form: Thankfully, filling out a visa application is as simple as going online and going to the official Indian visa application website. Just fill out the required information accurately, print it out, sign it, and send it in.

Visit the Indian Consulate: Now it’s time to head to the Indian Consulate in Chiang Mai or an authorized visa service center. Take all your prepared documents and the completed application form. The consulate’s address and working hours can be found on their official website.

Submit Your Application: Next, you need to submit your application. When you do so, also submit all the other required documents with it. There is a fee involved, so be prepared to pay. Prices differ depending on the duration and type of visa you’re getting. Oh, and be sure to keep that receipt as proof of payment.

Wait for Processing: When you apply for an Indian visa in Chiang Mai, the processing time for an Indian visa typically takes a few days to a couple of weeks. Luckily, you don’t have to stress the whole time because you can go to the Indian visa website to check for updates on the status of your visa progress. You can also check your visa processing status through the consulate.

Collect Your Visa: Now that your visa is (hopefully) approved, it’s time to go back to the consulate and collect your passport with its shiny brand new visa stamp. Before you leave the visa office, be sure to verify the details on your documents to make sure there are no errors.

Tips on Preparing Your Required Documents 

NOTICE: It’s no longer possible to just randomly show up at the Indian Consulate and apply for a visa in person. Instead, you must now apply online first by going to this Indian Visa website and filling out your application. Be sure to print out your application and then take it to the Consulate.

Now that that’s cleared up, here are some tips on how to prepare your required visa documents.

1. The obvious suspects you’ll need:

• Your passport
• Two passport photos.
• A copy of your passport.

 

2. Not-so-obvious India visa requirements for Thai citizens:

• You’ll need a copy of your Thai visa. You’ll also need the stamps from a 30-day tourist visa from the airport. Also, if you have a 15-day visa stamp from a land border crossing – you need a copy of that too – along with your departure card.
• You’ll also need two references in India. These references can be as simple as the hotels you’re slated to stay at while you’re in India. There’s no way to look up stuff when you’re at the consulate, so get the addresses and phone numbers of the hotels or references before you go there.
• You need your current address while in Chiang Mai. Again, this can be the hotel, hostel, or guesthouse at which you’re staying.  
• Know your estimated arrival date in India. Your visa will be valid from the day of issue. This means you’ll have a 3-month visa valid from the day you get it in Chiang Mai.
• Lastly, you’ll need the Thai Baht to pay the visa processing fee.

Complete the Visa Application Form

If you’re a Thai citizen applying for an Indian visa, the application form is available online on the official Indian visa website. Start by selecting “Thailand” and the visa type you need (tourist, business, medical, etc.).

Fill in your personal details, including full name, date of birth, nationality, and passport information. Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity and two blank pages. Provide your address in Thailand, email, and phone number.

Include your travel details, such as the arrival date, duration of stay, and places you plan to visit. For certain visas, additional information like your host’s contact details or a business invitation letter might be required.

After completing the form, review it for accuracy, print it, and sign it. Attach two recent passport-sized photos and submit the form along with the required documents to the Indian Consulate in Chiang Mai or an authorized visa service center.

Visit the Indian Consulate in Chiang Mai

The Indian High Commission in Chiang Mai is set in what looks like a private home, in a small soi (side street) house near Chiang Mai’s railway station.

The address of the Indian High Commission in Chiang Mai:

33/1, Thung Hotel Road
Wat Kate, Muang,
Chiang Mai 50000
Opening Times: Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm. The consulate is closed on Thai and Indian holidays, so check the respective holidays before you go.

How to get to the Indian High Commission in Chiang Mai:

You can take a Songthaw or TukTuk from anywhere in Chiang Mai. If the driver does not know exactly where the consulate is, he might know Thung Hotel Road at least, and you can look out for the white sign with plain black letters. If not, ask him to bring you to the railway station – it should only be a fifteen-minute walk from there. Alternatively, you can rent a bicycle and cycle from the Old City in 25 minutes, or walk in about an hour.

Click on the picture to enlarge the map

Bangkok vs Chiang Mai – where should I get my India Visa?

If you plan to stay in India longer than three months, or would like to apply for a ten-year tourist visa, then you will need to apply for the Indian Visa in Bangkok. In this case, fill in the application form here first. However, if you only need three months, like us, going through the process in Chiang Mai is just so much easier. The Indian consulate in Chiang Mai is much smaller, more laid-back and as stress-free as a visa application process can be.

How long does the application process take & is the visa application process for an Indian Visa in Thailand complicated?

Submit Your Application 

 Although you would think that applying for a visa for one country in another country when you are not from either country might be complicated, the fact is that the process itself is both straight-forward and common. The Chiang Mai Indian Consulate is not usually busy. Just take off your shoes and walk inside. The consulate employee will check that you have the necessary documents and then hand you two forms and a pen. Fill out both forms, hand them back to the employee with your passport and then pay the application fee.

At the time the employee will give you a receipt and tell you when you can pick up your passport – usually seven days from the date of drop off. On that date, bring your receipt and return to the consulate. Show your application receipt, and then, you may need to wait a bit before your name is called. You will get your passport back and, if awarded the India Visa, just pay the fee. That’s it.

Wait for Processing 

By now, you’ve applied for an Indian visa in Chiang Mai. Now, after submitting your Indian visa application at the Indian Consulate in Chiang Mai or an authorized visa service center, you will need to wait for the processing to be completed. The typical processing time ranges from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the type of visa and the volume of applications. You can use the reference number on your receipt to check out the status of your visa application online.  During this period, it’s important to keep your contact information accessible in case the consulate needs additional information or documents. Patience is key, as the processing times can vary, and ensuring all your documents are in order can help avoid delays.

Collect Your Visa 

After it’s approved, you’ll now collect your passport with its passport with the new visa stamp.  You’ll need to go to the Indian Consulate in Chiang Mai to pick it up.  Or, you can go to the visa service center where you applied to collect it. You’ll know when to go because the visa office (or wherever you applied) should notify you via your contact info that it’s ready. Bring the receipt provided during the application submission and a valid ID when you go to collect your visa. Upon receiving your passport, verify that all details on the visa stamp are correct.

Frequently Asked Questions About Applying for Indian Visa in Chiang Mai 

Where can I submit my application for an Indian visa in Chiang Mai?

Applications can be submitted at the Indian Consulate in Chiang Mai or through an authorized visa service center.

Can I apply for an Indian visa from Thailand? 

Yes, you sure can.  Simply go to the Indian Consulate in Chiang Mai or Bangkok websites, or through authorized visa service centers while you’re in Thailand.

Can I do an Indian visa online? 

Absolutely. In fact, it’s so much easier to apply for an India eVisa in Chiang Mai online.

How long does it take to get an eVisa for India? 

It typically takes 3-5 business days to process an Indian eVisa application.

What are the Indian visa requirements for Thai citizens? 

For Thai citizens applying for an Indian visa, requirements include a valid passport  – which means you need at least six months of validity and two blank pages in your passport. You’ll also need a completed visa application form along with two passport-sized photos, proof of residence in Thailand, proof of onward travel from India, and payment of the visa fee. Additional documents may be necessary depending on the visa type, such as a letter of invitation or medical certificate for specific purposes like business or medical visas.