Thailand Digital Arrival Card: Complete Guide for 2025

As of May 1, 2025, all foreign nationals entering Thailand will be required to complete a digital arrival card prior to arrival in the country.

This system, known as the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), replaces the traditional paper TM6 forms and introduces a streamlined, technology-driven approach to immigration procedures.

Whether you’re planning a vacation, business trip, or extended stay in Thailand, understanding the TDAC requirements is crucial for a smooth entry process.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Thailand’s new digital system, from submission requirements to step-by-step instructions. Updated as of 2nd July 2025.

What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is an electronic immigration form that replaces the paper TM6 arrival card effective May 1, 2025.

This mandatory online submission is required for all foreign nationals entering Thailand by air, land, or sea, representing a core element of Thailand’s digital transformation strategy for border management.

TDAC is more than just a digital form it also incorporates a health declaration section authorized by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health.

This integration supports the country’s disease surveillance and response capabilities while streamlining immigration procedures and reducing processing time at Thailand’s border checkpoints.

The digital arrival card TDAC system provides instant approval upon successful submission, allowing travelers to experience faster immigration processing compared to traditional paper forms.

The new digital system aligns Thailand with global trends in travel digitalization, similar to systems implemented in Singapore and Australia.

Who Must Complete the TDAC?

All non-Thai passport holders are required to submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card prior to entering the country. This comprehensive requirement applies to:

• Tourists and vacation travelers

• Business travelers and conference attendees

• Long-term residents and holders of all visa types, including DTV and Privilege Visa

• Visa-exempt travelers from participating countries

• Foreign nationals with work permits and their dependents

The TDAC system is mandatory for every entry into Thailand, regardless of previous visits or visa exemption status. Even if you’ve visited Thailand multiple times before, each new entry requires a fresh TDAC submission.

Exemptions from TDAC requirements include:

• Transit passengers not passing through immigration

• Border pass holders for local cross-border regions

• Thai passport holders

Families and groups can submit joint applications for convenience, allowing one person to handle the submission process for other travelers in their party.

When to Submit Your TDAC

Submit your Thailand Digital Arrival Card within 3 days before your scheduled arrival date. This timing requirement is strictly enforced; the TDAC website automatically blocks submissions made more than three days in advance of your planned arrival.

Early submission within this window is strongly recommended to avoid delays and ensure a smooth immigration processing experience. Last-minute submissions at airports may cause longer wait times at immigration checkpoints, particularly during peak travel periods.

Each entry to Thailand requires a new TDAC submission, including multiple visits during a single trip. If you plan to leave Thailand and return, even for a day trip to a neighboring country, you’ll need to submit a new digital arrival card for re-entry.

The system operates 24/7, allowing you to complete your submission at any time within the permitted window. However, technical support and assistance may be limited outside standard business hours.

TDAC vs Visa Requirements

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is NOT a visa and does not authorize entry into Thailand. This distinction is crucial for travelers to understand: the TDAC form serves as both an immigration and health declaration document, while visa requirements remain entirely separate.

Travelers must still possess a valid visa or qualify for visa exemption programs, as per existing Thai immigration laws.

The digital arrival card system does not replace or modify any current visa requirements, whether you hold a tourist visa, business visa, or qualify for visa exemption.

Failure to complete TDAC will result in denied entry until the digital form is submitted correctly, even if you possess a valid thailand visa.

Immigration officers at all entry points, air, land, and sea, will verify TDAC completion before processing entry procedures.

This separation means that visa-exempt travelers must complete both their visa exemption qualification AND the TDAC submission to avoid entry delays or denial.

Required Information for TDAC Submission

Before starting your TDAC application, gather the following required information to ensure smooth completion:

Personal and Passport Details:

• Valid passport number and expiration date

• Nationality as shown in passport

• Full name exactly as written in passport

• Date of birth

• Contact phone number and email address

Travel Information:

• Flight number or vehicle/vessel details for land and sea arrivals

• Exact arrival date

• Port of entry (airport, border crossing, or seaport)

• Departure information, if applicable

Accommodation Information:

• Complete address in Thailand, including street, district, province, and postal code

• Hotel name or private residence details

• Contact information for accommodation

Health Declaration Requirements:

• List of all countries visited within the past two weeks

• Current health status and any symptoms experienced

• A yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from infected areas

• Emergency contact information

Having this information readily available will streamline the submission process and reduce the likelihood of errors requiring correction.

Step-by-Step TDAC Application Process

Access the official Thailand Immigration website at https://tdac.immigration.go.th to begin your application.

This is the only official link for TDAC submissions.

Avoid third-party websites that may charge fees or provide fraudulent services.

Select the “Arrival Card” option to begin a new application or the “Update Arrival Card” option to modify an existing submission.

Have your passport, travel bookings, and accommodation details ready before starting the process.

The TDAC document requires completion of all sections marked with red asterisks, as these are mandatory fields that cannot be left blank.

Step 1: Personal Information

Please enter your nationality, passport number, full name, and date of birth exactly as they appear on your passport.

Any discrepancies between your submitted information and passport details may cause delays at immigration checkpoints.

Please provide a contact phone number and indicate whether you’re submitting for individual travel or group travel.

The system features an MRZ (Machine Readable Zone) scanning capability that automatically retrieves passport details using your device's camera, reducing manual entry errors.

Use the MRZ scanning feature, if available, for automatic data retrieval from the passport. However, verify all information for accuracy before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Travel and Accommodation Details

Enter your complete flight information, including flight number, arrival date, and port of entry.

For land and sea arrivals, provide vehicle or vessel details as appropriate.

The accommodation information section requires a complete address in Thailand, including street address, district, province, and postal code.

The system utilizes dropdown fields that automatically display relevant options as soon as three characters are typed, making selection easier and reducing errors.

Include departure information if required for visa compliance or if you have confirmed onward travel arrangements.

Select appropriate options from the dropdown menus that filter based on your province selection.

Step 3: Health Declaration

The health declaration section is mandatory for all travelers regardless of health status.

List all countries visited within the past 14 days of your arrival in Thailand, using the dropdown menus provided.

Declare any current symptoms or health conditions as required by the Thai government health authorities.

Be honest and accurate in your health reporting, as false declarations may result in entry denial or legal consequences.

If arriving from or through yellow fever-infected areas as defined by the World Health Organization, you must provide proof of yellow fever vaccination.

The system will prompt you to upload a certification if your travel history indicates this requirement.

Step 4: Review and Submit

Carefully review all entered information for accuracy before final submission.

Pay special attention to passport details, arrival date, and accommodation information, as these are most commonly subject to errors.

If submitting a group application, add additional travelers using the group function.

Each traveler’s information must be accurate and complete.

Enter your email address to receive confirmation and agree to the terms and conditions.

Submit your application and receive instant electronic confirmation with your unique TDAC reference number.

Step 5: Confirmation and Arrival

Download your TDAC confirmation as a PDF or save the electronic copy to your device.

This confirmation serves as your TDAC card and must be presented at immigration along with your passport.

Present your digital confirmation on a smartphone screen or a printed copy at the immigration checkpoint.

Immigration officers will verify your TDAC completion before processing your entry.

Keep your TDAC confirmation accessible throughout your stay in Thailand, as it may be required for exit procedures or other official purposes.

Store backup copies in cloud storage for easy access if your primary device fails.

Health Declaration Requirements

All travelers must complete the health declaration section regardless of their current health status.

This requirement supports Thailand’s public health surveillance system and helps prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

The health declaration covers countries visited in the past two weeks, current symptoms, and vaccination requirements.

Travelers arriving from areas with yellow fever transmission must provide a valid vaccination certificate as determined by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health.

Travelers reporting symptoms or arriving from high-risk areas may be directed to the Department of Disease Control for additional screening before receiving immigration clearance.

This process helps protect both visitors and Thai residents from potential health threats.

COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory for TDAC completion as of 2025, but the system architecture allows for rapid updates should public health requirements change in response to emerging health threats.

Safety Measures for Your Info

Updating TDAC Information

Travel and accommodation details can be updated after initial submission using the “Update Arrival Card” function.

Access this feature using your Digital Arrival Card number, date of birth, and nationality.

However, personal identity information, including name, passport number, and date of birth, cannot be changed after submission.

Errors in these critical fields require submitting an entirely new TDAC application rather than updating the existing one.

When updating travel details, download the new confirmation and ensure you present the most recent version at immigration.

Updated confirmations must be saved and accessible during travel, replacing any previous versions.

The update function remains available until your arrival date, providing flexibility for last-minute changes to flights or accommodations while ensuring immigration compliance.

Common TDAC Questions and Answers

Is TDAC submission free?

Yes, submitting a TDAC through the official immigration bureau website is entirely free.

Any site charging fees for TDAC completion is unofficial and potentially fraudulent.

What happens to paper TM6 forms?

Paper arrival cards are being phased out and will eventually be discontinued altogether.

During the transition period starting May 1, 2025, paper TM6 forms will remain temporarily available at some checkpoints; however, digital submission is strongly encouraged.

How is TDAC different from TM30?

TDAC is entirely separate from TM30 residence reporting requirements. TM30 remains an individual obligation for landlords and hosts to report the accommodation details of foreign guests to immigration authorities.

Enforcement and Transition Period

TDAC becomes mandatory for all foreign travelers starting May 1, 2025.

The Thai government has implemented this date as a hard deadline, after which entry without TDAC completion will not be permitted.

During the initial transition period, airport and border support will be available to travelers who need assistance with last-minute submissions.

However, relying on airport assistance may result in longer processing times and potential delays.

Immigration officers at all entry points have been trained on the new system and will verify TDAC completion as part of standard entry procedures.

The nearest immigration officer can provide basic assistance, but completing your submission in advance ensures smoother processing.

Technical Requirements

The TDAC system can be completed using smartphones, tablets, laptops, or any internet-connected device. The web-based platform is designed for accessibility across multiple device types and operating systems.

All submitted information must be entered in the English language, regardless of your nationality or passport language. The system does not currently support data entry in languages other than its native language.

Dropdown fields automatically display relevant options as you type three characters, enhancing the user experience and reducing data entry errors. This feature works across all sections of the application.

The system is designed to be user-friendly and accessible, with straightforward navigation and helpful prompts throughout the submission process.

Important Reminders

Always use the official Thailand Immigration website at https://tdac.immigration.go.th for your submission.

This is the only legitimate portal for TDAC completion - other websites may be fraudulent or charge unnecessary fees.

Keep your TDAC confirmation accessible throughout your stay in Thailand. Immigration authorities may request to see your confirmation during your visit, and it’s required for departure procedures.

Remember that TDAC is required for every entry into Thailand, including re-entry after leaving the kingdom longer than your initial stay or traveling to neighboring countries. Each border crossing requires a fresh submission.

Complete your TDAC submission early within the permitted timeframe to avoid potential technical issues, system maintenance, or last-minute stress.

Early completion also allows time to address any errors or issues that may arise.

For complex situations involving multiple entries, extended stays, or special visa categories, contact Thai embassy or consulate officials in your home country or the nearest immigration officer for guidance specific to your circumstances.

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card represents a significant modernization of the country’s immigration procedures, designed to enhance security while improving the traveler experience.

By understanding and following these requirements, you’ll ensure smooth entry into Thailand and contribute to the efficiency of the new digital system.

Complete your TDAC submission within the required timeframe, keep your confirmation accessible, and enjoy your visit to Thailand with the confidence that comes from proper preparation.