"Travel News, July 2026: Thailand Tightens, Sri Lanka Goes Free, Malaysia Stays Open"

The visa map for Indian passports redrew itself this season, and the changes run in opposite directions: our most popular beach destination added paperwork while our nearest island neighbour removed the last of its fees. Here is what changed, verified against official sources, and what it means for trips you are planning now.

Thailand ends visa-free entry for Indians

The headline change. On 19 May 2026, Thailand's Cabinet approved a sweeping revision of its immigration rules, and the 60-day visa-free entry Indian passports had enjoyed was withdrawn. Indians now enter through one of two doors: a Visa on Arrival at the airport — up to 15 days, THB 2,000 (roughly ₹5,900) payable in Thai baht cash only — or a Tourist e-Visa applied for online before departure, which grants 60 days.

Separately, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is now mandatory for every traveller, completed free online within 72 hours before arrival. Airlines can deny boarding without it, and imitation websites charging for the free form have already appeared — use only the official Thai Immigration portal.

What it means: budget nearly ₹6,000 per person more for a short Thai holiday, carry baht cash for the counter, and for anything longer than a fortnight, do the e-Visa paperwork before flying. Families of four should note the maths: the change adds roughly ₹24,000 to a trip that previously cleared immigration free. Our full Thailand cost guide reflects the new rules.

Sri Lanka makes its tourist visa completely free

The counter-move of the season. From 25 May 2026, Sri Lanka waived its tourist visa fee for citizens of 40 countries, India included. The 30-day tourist ETA now costs nothing, permits double entry within its validity, and can be extended (with payment) for longer stays.

One detail matters: free does not mean automatic. The Electronic Travel Authorization is still mandatory and must be obtained through the official eta.gov.lk portal before you fly. Fees paid before 25 May are not being refunded.

What it means: Sri Lanka is now the cheapest international paperwork an Indian passport can do — a 90-minute flight from Chennai and a visa that costs nothing. For a beach-and-hills week under ₹50,000, nothing else in the region currently competes. Our new Sri Lanka guide covers the full trip.

Malaysia confirms visa-free entry through December 2026

Quiet but valuable: Malaysia's Immigration Department confirms Indian passport holders remain visa-exempt until 31 December 2026 for stays of up to 30 days. The one formality that trips travellers up is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) — free, online, submitted within three days before arrival, and expected done when you reach the counter.

What it means: with Thailand adding cost and friction, Malaysia's case as the region's easy option gets stronger — direct flights from a dozen Indian cities, no visa fee, and Visit Malaysia Year 2026 promotions running all year. The window is confirmed only to December; travellers planning for 2027 should watch this space, and we will report the moment Putrajaya decides either way.

Worth watching

Two smaller currents on our radar. Kazakhstan's 14-day visa-free entry for Indians continues, and Almaty's direct flights are turning it into a genuine short-break destination — our new guide explains why. And Azerbaijan's e-visa remains one of the fastest in the world at three working days (three hours on the urgent service), keeping the Caucasus within a week's planning horizon.

This column tracks official government sources and is corrected the moment rules change. Rules can shift between publication and your departure date — verify with the relevant embassy before booking, or ask us; staying current on this is our day job.