Thailand Digital Arrival Card
Thailand has officially retired its paper-based arrival card system, ushering in a new era of digital immigration with theΒ Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)Β . Since May 1, 2025, this online system has been mandatory for all foreign nationals entering the Kingdom, replacing the traditional TM6 formΒ . Designed to streamline entry procedures, enhance security, and integrate with Thailand's broader digital infrastructure, the TDAC represents a significant shift for travelersΒ . This comprehensive guide provides an in-depth examination of the TDAC for 2026, covering its purpose, the step-by-step application process, critical requirements, common pitfalls, and what this digital transformation means for the future of travel to Thailand.
What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is an online registration system that collects essential information from foreign travelers before they arrive in the countryΒ . It captures personal details, passport information, travel itinerary, accommodation in Thailand, and a brief health declarationΒ . The system processes this data and issues a confirmation with a unique QR code, which travelers must present upon arrivalΒ .
It is crucial to understand thatΒ the TDAC is not a visaΒ . It does not grant permission to enter or replace the need for a valid visa for those nationalities that require one. Rather, it is a mandatory pre-arrival immigration form for all foreign passport holders, regardless of their visa statusΒ . Its primary purposes are to:
Speed up immigration: By digitizing data collection, the system reduces processing time at border checkpointsΒ .
Enhance security: It allows authorities to verify traveler information in advanceΒ .
Integrate with other systems: The TDAC is designed to work alongside Thailand's E-Visa system, disease screening protocols, and future tourist fee collection mechanismsΒ .
Who Needs to Complete the TDAC?
The requirement is straightforward:Β all non-Thai nationals entering Thailand must complete a TDACΒ . This applies to every mode of entryβby air, land, or seaβand includes tourists, business visitors, long-term visa holders, and returning expatriatesΒ . There is no exemption based on the length of stay or purpose of visitΒ . Even infants and children must have their own TDAC, which a parent or guardian can complete on their behalfΒ .
There are only two notable exceptions to this ruleΒ :
Transit passengers: Travelers who remain in the international transit area of an airport and do not clear Thai immigration do not need a TDACΒ .
Border Pass holders: Individuals entering under official Thai land border crossing schemes with a border pass are also exemptΒ .
The Golden Rule: The 72-Hour Submission Window
One of the most critical aspects of the TDAC is the strict timing for submission. Travelers can only submit the form withinΒ 72 hours (3 days) prior to their arrival in ThailandΒ . The system is designed to lock access to dates outside this window to ensure the information provided, especially travel and health details, is currentΒ .
For example, if your flight lands in Bangkok on March 20th, you can submit your TDAC from March 17th onwards. While you can technically submit it up until the moment you go through immigration, it is highly recommended to complete it 1-2 days in advance to avoid any last-minute issues with internet access or form errorsΒ .
A Step-by-Step Guide to Completing Your TDAC
The application process is designed to be quick, typically taking 5-10 minutes if you have all your information readyΒ .
Step 1: Access the Official Website Go to the official Thai Immigration TDAC portal atΒ https://tdac.immigration.go.th/Β .Β This is the ONLY official and legitimate channel.Β Beware of fake websites that may charge a fee or attempt to steal personal informationΒ . The site offers multiple language options, including English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean, butΒ all information must be entered in English, using capital lettersΒ .
Step 2: Begin Your Submission On the homepage, click the "Arrival Card" buttonΒ . You can choose to make an individual submission or a group submission for up to 10 people traveling together, which can be a significant time-saver for families or groupsΒ .
Step 3: Enter Personal and Passport Information You will need to input details exactly as they appear on your passportΒ . This includes:
Full name (as in passport)
Passport number
Nationality
Date of birth
Occupation
Gender
International contact number
The system allows you to upload a photo of your passport's MRZ (Machine Readable Zone) to auto-fill some of this information, reducing the chance of manual entry errorsΒ .
Step 4: Provide Travel and Accommodation Details Next, enter your travel itineraryΒ :
Arrival date and flight/vehicle number: Select the country you are embarking from and your mode of transport (air, land, sea).
Departure information: While your departure date is optional, having it ready is helpfulΒ .
Accommodation in Thailand: Provide the full address of where you will be staying. If you are staying at a hotel, the name and city are usually sufficient. For other types of lodging, a more detailed address may be requiredΒ . If you have multiple accommodations, enter the address of your first place of stayΒ .
Step 5: Complete the Health Declaration You will be asked about your travel history in theΒ 14 days prior to your arrival in ThailandΒ . If you have been in any countries that the Thai Ministry of Health has designated as high-risk, the system will prompt you to complete a more detailed health declarationΒ .
Step 6: Review, Submit, and Save Carefully review every field for accuracy. Once submitted, core details like your name, passport number, date of birth, and nationality cannot be edited onlineΒ . If you find a mistake in these critical fields after submission, you will need to submit a new applicationΒ . Minor details like flight time can sometimes be updated through the portalΒ . After confirming everything is correct, enter a valid email address to receive your confirmation, agree to the terms and conditions, and click "Submit"Β .
Step 7: Receive and Store Your QR Code Immediately after submission, you will receive a confirmation email containing a PDF with your unique TDAC QR codeΒ . It is best practice to bothΒ save a digital copy on your phoneΒ (for quick access) andΒ print a physical backupΒ to carry with your passportΒ .
Crucial Requirements for a Smooth Entry
Having your TDAC confirmation is just one part of the entry process. Be prepared to present the following to immigration officers:RequirementDetailsTDAC QR Code/ConfirmationDigital or printed copy, mandatory for clearanceΒ .Valid PassportMinimumΒ 6 months' validityΒ from your arrival dateΒ .Visa (if applicable)Ensure your visa (e.g., Tourist Visa, DTV) is valid if your nationality is not visa-exemptΒ .Proof of Onward TravelA confirmed return ticket or proof of travel to your next destination within the permitted stayΒ .Proof of FundsImmigration may randomly ask for proof of sufficient funds, typicallyΒ 20,000 THB per personΒ or 40,000 THB per family, in cash or its equivalentΒ .Accommodation ProofHotel booking confirmation or address of your stayΒ .Travel InsuranceStrongly recommended to cover medical emergencies and unexpected disruptionsΒ .
The Cost: It's Free
Completing the TDAC via the official government portal isΒ completely free of chargeΒ . Any website, agency, or service that asks for a payment to process the TDAC is a scam and should be avoidedΒ .
Important Rules and Practical Tips
Single-Entry Validity: Your TDAC is valid for a single entry onlyΒ . You must submit a new card for every single time you enter Thailand, even if you are a frequent visitor.
Airport Kiosks: If you experience technical difficulties or lack internet access, self-service kiosks are available at major international airports, including Suvarnabhumi (BKK), Don Mueang (DMK), Phuket (HKT), Chiang Mai (CNX), and Hat Yai (HDY)Β . However, it's always less stressful to complete it in advance.
Use e-Gates: Travelers aged 16 and over with an e-passport (chip-enabled) who have previously provided biometrics to Thai Immigration can use the automated e-Gates for faster clearanceΒ .
Data Security: Your information is secured in accordance with Thailand's Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and is only accessible by immigration and border security authoritiesΒ .
The Broader Picture: Thailand's Digital Border Shift
The TDAC is more than just a new form; it is a cornerstone of Thailand's ambitious plan to modernize its entire immigration infrastructure as part of itsΒ Thailand 4.0Β initiativeΒ . This "digital border shift" aims to eventually create a stamp-free experience, with all entry and exit records stored digitallyΒ . While this promises greater efficiency and reduced waiting times, it has also raised questions for expatriates and frequent travelers who have traditionally relied on physical passport stamps as proof of their time in Thailand for purposes like visa renewals and tax declarations in their home countriesΒ . As the system matures, the international recognition of these digital records will be a key area to watchΒ .
Conclusion
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is now an integral part of the travel process to the Land of Smiles. While it introduces a new step, its purpose is to facilitate a faster, more secure, and modern entry experience. By understanding the requirement, adhering to the 72-hour submission window, and carefully completing the free online form on the official website, travelers can ensure a smooth and efficient arrival. As Thailand continues its digital transformation, staying informed about these changes is the key to a stress-free journey.
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