In replacement of the previous paper-based TM6 arrival card, on May 1st 2025, Thailand implemented an entirely digitalized entry procedure by releasing the Thailand Digital Arrival Card or TDAC. All foreigners entering the country by air, sea, or land are required to complete the TDAC registration at least 72 hours prior to their arrival at the country.
For those planning to visit Thailand anytime soon, here’s all you need to know about the Thailand Digital Arrival Card.
What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?
According to Thailand’s immigration bureau website, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card—or in short the TDAC—is basically a new online form of Thailand’s previous paper-based arrival card, the TM6. Whether you’re traveling by air, sea, or land, all non-Thai travelers must submit their arrival details before arriving at the Kingdom of Thailand using this digital entry card.
For the record, the TDAC is different from a visa. But to obtain an appropriate Thai visa, filling out the TDAC is a necessary requirement. Even for those eligible for Thailand’s visa exemption program, completing the Thailand Digital Arrival Card is still a must before getting in the country.
What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card for?
Besides serving as an essential document for travelers to enter the country, the TDAC is designed to assist Thai Immigration in monitoring foreign arrivals, preventing illegal activity and screening for criminals, according to Siam Legal. Furthermore, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card is also used to support a smoother and more efficient immigration process at airports and checkpoints.
What are the requirements and costs to get a Thailand Digital Arrival Card?
Good news for foreign travelers, because obtaining the Thailand Digital Arrival Card is completely free of charge if you register via the official platform provided by the Thai government. To get a TDAC, here’s a list of required information you have to submit compiled from Expatis.com:
- Personal information
- Passport information
- Travel information
- Purpose of visit
- Health declaration information
- Accommodation details in Thailand
Step-by-step tutorial on how to register for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card
Once you have all the required information prepared, you can apply for the TDAC by accessing the official tdac.immigration.go.th website and follow these steps below:
Register Guide for Individual Submission
- Click the “arrival card” button.
- Fill in your personal information, passport information, trip information, accommodation details, and health status information (If your nationality, the country you boarded from, country you visited two weeks prior your arrival, or flight is listed by the Ministry of Public Health). Then click “preview”.
- Check if there is any incorrect information. You can always click the “edit” button to go back and correct your information.
- Input your email address to get the Thailand Digital Arrival Card.
- Once you make sure all information is correct, tick the Terms and Conditions box to agree then proceed to click “submit”.
- Your Thailand Digital Arrival Card is ready to download!
Register Guide for Group Submission
- On the official website, click the “Arrival Card” button.
- Fill in the personal information, passport information, trip information, accommodation details, and health status information for Traveler 1 (If your nationality, the country you boarded from, country you visited two weeks prior your arrival, or flight is listed by the Ministry of Public Health). Then click the “Add Other Travelers” button.
- Repeat step 2 to input the information of each traveler. Select “Same as Previous Traveler” if the travel and accommodation details are the same.
- Click “Preview” to re-check all the information. Click “Edit” to fix incorrect details and select “Delete This Traveler” to delete the travelers until.
- Input your email address to get the Thailand Digital Arrival Card.
- Tick the Terms and Conditions box to agree then proceed to click “submit”.
- Your Thailand Digital Arrival Card is ready to download!
How to use the Thailand Digital Arrival Card
As a required digital document to enter Thailand, the TDAC is quite simple to use. Once you arrive in the country, all you need to do is show your QR code that you have received via email. You can present the electronic confirmation to the immigration officers digitally from your phone or tablet device. Do note that it is strongly recommended to submit the TDAC 3 days in advance upon your scheduled arrival in Thailand.
Example of Use
For reference on how to use the Thailand Digital Arrival Card when entering Thailand, you can check out the video below:
With this new digital version of the entry card, Thailand has made its arrival process more convenient and practical for global citizens. For a smooth trip, make sure to register your TDAC and preserve it until your departure from the country just in case.
