Official Portal Only. About 72 Hours.
Paper Backup.
I've lived in Thailand for 20 years, and from our office in Ban Lum I tell arriving teachers and travellers the same thing about the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): use the official portal, it is free, file it up to 3 days before you land, and bring a paper copy of the QR. The rules can change, so check the official site before you fly. This is not legal advice.
01: Before You File: What to Have Ready
A few minutes at the kitchen table saves stress at the airport.
"In 20 years around Sukhothai and the north I've seen the paper arrival slip turn into a QR code on a phone. My habit hasn't changed: get it done before you fly, and keep a paper copy in your carry-on in case the phone battery dies."Matthew John : Co-Founder & Operations Manager, KET
1. The Card and QR
The site says to file up to 3 days before you arrive, including the day of arrival (about 72 hours). It is completely free on tdac.immigration.go.th. The site says printing is not required, but we still print one and keep it in the carry-on as a backup.
2. Your Trip Details
The form asks for: passport details, flight number, arrival date, your first address in Thailand, travel purpose, health declaration, and your email address. There is no save-and-finish-later, so have these ready to complete it in one go.
3. Money & Onward Travel
The TDAC form does not list funds among the details it asks for. Whether an immigration officer asks about cash or onward travel is up to them, and rules can change. Keep your first hotel address and flight tickets handy.
⚡ Arrival Readiness Checklist
Tick each one before you head to the airport:
72-Hour Window: Interactive Calculator
Select your scheduled arrival date in Thailand to calculate your official opening window.
TDAC Submission Window Planner
The Immigration Bureau accepts submissions up to 3 days prior to your arrival date, including the day of arrival. Enter your scheduled arrival date:
* The system calculates 3 calendar days inclusive of your flight arrival day. Never pay third-party agency fees. For teachers arriving on placement contracts, see our Thailand teacher visa overview.
Filing Your TDAC: Four Steps
In order. Always check the official government portal before you submit.
🛠️ How to Fill In the Thailand Digital Arrival Card
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Use the Official Portal
Go to tdac.immigration.go.th and press the Arrival Card button. The official portal is free. Check the address bar before you type in any details.
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File Up to 3 Days Before Arrival
The site says to submit up to 3 days before you arrive, including the day of arrival. That is about 72 hours before you land.
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Enter Passport & Trip Details
Type your name and passport number as in your passport. You can scan the MRZ (the two lines at the bottom of the photo page), then check every field again. Add your flight, address in Thailand and email.
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Save the QR and Print a Backup
The card and QR code are sent to your email. Save the file on your phone. The site says printing is not required, but a paper copy is a reliable backup.
The official Immigration Bureau system at tdac.immigration.go.th is completely free. Beware of third-party copycat websites, commercial search ads, or unofficial apps asking for credit card payments, "expedited clearance charges," or service fees. Only trust links ending in .go.th.
Paper TM.6 vs. Digital TDAC
How the new digital card replaces the old white-and-blue paper slip.
| Feature | Old Paper TM.6 System | New TDAC System |
|---|---|---|
| Form Type | Physical paper card handed out by cabin crew. | Online digital form submitted on tdac.immigration.go.th. |
| Filing Window | Filled in on the plane or at airport counters. | Submitted up to 3 days (approx. 72 hours) prior to landing. |
| Government Cost | Free. | Free (zero official fee on official government site). |
| Immigration Check | Paper departure half stapled into your passport. | Scanned via digital QR code or looked up in the passport database. |
| Losing Your Record | Lost slip meant visiting a police station or paying a replacement fine. | Can be re-downloaded or looked up via your email confirmation. |
| Subsequent Entries | Required a new card every time you re-entered Thailand. | Still requires a new submission for every single entry. |
At Immigration: What to Expect
From the arrival gate to connecting transport.
1. Passport & QR Ready
Join the foreign passport line at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, or your arrival checkpoint. Have your passport open and your TDAC QR ready on your phone screen or printed sheet.
2. Fingerprints & Photo
The officer scans your passport, verifies your TDAC submission on their terminal, and guides you through biometric fingerprint capture and facial camera photography.
3. Check Entry Stamp
Always check your stamp before leaving the booth! Verify that the date matches your visa category (e.g. 90 days for Non-B, or 30 days for a visa exemption).
4. Next Step: TM.30
Remember: TDAC is for arriving. Once you check into your hotel or apartment, your host must file your TM.30 address registration within 24 hours!
Thailand Digital Arrival Card Questions
Does everyone need a TDAC?
The official site says all non-Thai nationals entering Thailand by air, land or sea need one before they enter, including children. Crew and people transiting without passing through immigration do not. The rules can change, so check the official site before you fly.
What if I make a mistake?
Use the Update Arrival Card function on the official site. It cannot change your full name, nationality or date of birth. If one of those is wrong, submit a new card. The site says the latest valid submission is the one used.
Do I need a TDAC if I only change planes airside?
The site says no, if you do not pass through immigration. If you leave the airport or clear immigration, you need one. Ask your airline if you are unsure.
Do children need their own TDAC?
Yes. The site says every traveller, including infants and children, needs one. You can add other travellers on one submission, up to 10 people, and you can fill it in for family members.
Is a QR on my phone enough, or should I print it?
The site says you do not have to print it, and you can show the QR on your phone. We still print one as a backup, in case a phone battery dies. That is our habit, not a rule.
Will Immigration ask about my money or onward ticket?
The TDAC form does not list funds among the details it asks for. Whether an officer asks you about money or onward travel is up to them, and the rules can change. We cannot give you a figure. Check with the Thai embassy or your airline before you fly, and keep your address and travel plans handy.
Matthew John
Co-Founder & Operations ManagerI'm Matthew, co-founder of Kids English Thailand. I've lived in Thailand for 20 years and work from our office in Ban Lum, Sukhothai. Helping incoming teachers navigate arrival logistics, visas, and school onboarding with zero stress is what our team does every intake.
