Related Blogs
By Vipul Jain | 06 Jun, 2025
Planning a trip to Thailand? Whether you're excited about shopping in Bangkok or want to sip fresh coconut water on the beaches of Phuket, there's something new about the country that you should know before visiting. This is the launch of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). Yes, you read it right. Now, no more getting confused with the paper forms or trying to look for a pen during turbulence.
The country is transitioning to a paperless system to streamline the immigration process and make entry more efficient and faster for travelers. So, whether you plan to visit the historic temples of Chiang Mai, head towards the vibrant streets of Bangkok, or the beaches of Phuket, knowing the TDAC requirement is vital for a smooth journey.
To help you out, here is everything you need to know about TDAC before your trip to Thailand. So, let's begin reading!
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), as its name suggests, is an online immigration card that has replaced the paper-based TM6 arrival form in Thailand. Every traveler visiting the country should have this card for a stress-free journey. The card also provides complete convenience to all foreigners traveling to the government by air, sea, or land. As stated by the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand, before entering the country, the TDAC is used to provide health declaration details and entry information of the person.
The TDAC card is similar to the Singapore Digital Arrival Card and the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card. As of May 2025, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) has become mandatory for all foreign travelers, including business travelers, tourists, and long-term residents. The only exceptions to this are tourists transferring or transiting through Thailand without going through immigration control.
This is all about the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). Now, moving ahead, let's know who requires this card.
The Digital Arrival Card of Thailand is compulsory for all foreign travelers entering the country by air, land, or sea, regardless of their purpose of visit, visa type, or nationality. Here is the list of people who can apply for the card:
These are the foreign travelers who need to apply for the Digital Arrival Card to enter Thailand. However, Thai citizens traveling from one city to another city in Thailand do not need to apply for the card. Moving further, let's know when to apply for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC).
Travelers should apply for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card within three days before entering the country. It also involves their date of arrival. For instance, if you plan to visit Thailand on June 7, 2025, you should apply for the card on June 5, 2025. However, you can apply for TDAC up to two days before your trip or on the date of your arrival. However, to avoid last-minute hassle and ensure sufficient processing and document verification time, it is advisable to apply for the card three days before your trip.
Now that we know when to apply for the TDAC, let's understand how this system works.
As stated above, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system has replaced the stress of paperwork and streamlines the entry process by digitizing the collection of information. This digital system is synced with the biometric database of the immigration bureau, enabling authorities to quickly verify whether international travelers have a criminal background. To submit the card, travelers can use the Immigration Bureau of Thailand's website. Here, the site provides two immigration options:
Additionally, you can update the submitted information on the card at any time before you arrive in the country. It provides travelers with the flexibility to make changes as per their requirements. Moving further, let's know how to apply for the card.
The application process for the TDAC Immigration Thailand is straightforward. Travelers must fill out their online form before boarding their flight. You can register for the card either through the official Thai immigration website or by using their official mobile app. When applying for the card, ensure you do so at least 72 hours or three days before arrival in the country to avoid any last-minute hassles. Furthermore, here is how you can apply for the card:
This is how you can apply for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). Additionally, the card is provided at no cost, so you do not incur any fees for it. Additionally, you can update the information on the card before your arrival by simply revisiting the TDAC website and logging in using your identifying information and reference number. However, you cannot update specific key personal identifiers if you want to change them; you may be required to submit a new Thailand Digital Arrival Card TDAC application. With this, let's know the necessary information in the application form.
To fill out the TDAC application, you need to mention the following requested information:
| Section | Details Required |
|---|---|
| Personal Info | Name, Gender, DOB, Nationality, Passport No., Mobile, Occupation |
| Residence Info | Country, State/City |
| Travel Info | Arrival Date, Purpose, Country of Departure, Mode & Vehicle No., Departure Date (if known), Visa No. (if any) |
| Accommodation | Type, Area/District, Sub-district, Province, Address, Postal Code (if known) |
| Health Info | Recent countries visited, Yellow Fever Certificate (if applicable), Vaccination Date, and any recent symptoms. |
This is the information required while filling out the TDAC application form. Also, like the Singapore Arrival Card, TDAC is not a visa; it is a Thailand Airport immigration requirement. So, when traveling to Thailand, ensure you have an appropriate visa or qualify for a visa exemption, along with your TDAC Thailand. Now, moving ahead, let's know the perks of having this card.
In contrast to the traditional TM6 paper-based form, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card offers several benefits. These are as follows:
These are some of the perks that the Digital Arrival Card offers to its travelers. However, apart from all these perks, there are also some limitations. Want to know about it? Read the following section and get your answers.
Here are the following limitations of the TDAC:
As the TDAC scheme is newly launched, having some limitations is a natural aspect of it; however, apart from these limitations, the card provides a smooth travel experience for travelers. Additionally, when applying for the card, you must also fulfill the health declaration requirement. We will discuss this further in the next section.
As part of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, travelers are required to fulfill specific health declaration requirements. This involves the following:
|
Symptoms
|
Vomiting |
| Rash | |
| Diarrhea | |
| Fever | |
| Sore throat | |
| Abdominal pain | |
| Headache | |
| Jaundice | |
| Breathlessness or cough | |
| Tender lumps or enlarged lymph glands | |
| Other (with specifications) |
If you experience any of these symptoms, you may need to proceed to the Department of Disease Control counter before passing through the immigration checkpoint in Thailand. Moving forward, let's discuss common mistakes to avoid when applying for the TDAC form.
Although applying for a Thailand Digital Arrival Card TDAC is simple and does not involve any complex process, keeping the following things in mind will help you avoid any potential errors:
The bustling markets, white sands, and historic temples of Thailand are ready to welcome you digitally. With just a few clicks, you can obtain your Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) and explore the country. Still feeling overwhelmed about filling out the TDAC form online? Do not worry, as Visament has got your back! We specialize in making overseas travel stress-free and easy for Indian travelers. We offer personalized guidance to help you complete your Digital Arrival Card correctly. Additionally, we also provide visas from India to other countries. So, whether it's your first trip abroad or you travel occasionally, let us help you fill out your application while you focus on your trip planning.
Yes, from May 1, 2025, an arrival card has become mandatory for all foreign travelers who are visiting Thailand, regardless of your travel mode (air, land, or sea) and your traveling purpose, whether it is for business, tourism, or long-term stay in the country.
To enter Thailand if you are from a visa-free country like India, you are required to have your valid passport and Thailand Digital Arrival Card, and if you are from countries that require a visa to enter Thailand then along with these documents.
The new entry rule for Thailand is the launch of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) that replaces the traditional paperwork application. From May 2025 onwards, foreign travelers, whether they are from visa-free countries or another, need to have a TDAC card to enter Thailand no matter for what purpose and from which travel mode they are coming from.
To enter Thailand, foreign travelers need to fill out a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before their arrival. The card is a replacement for the old TMK paper form. It is mandatory for all non-Thai citizens to have this card before they visit the country.
To fill out a Thailand Digital Arrival Card, visit the official site of TDAC, click on new application, provide the requested details such as your name, passport number, accommodation details, traveling purpose, and entry port. After that, upload a clear picture of the bio page of your passport, cross-check all the information, and submit the form.
There is no fee for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). You can apply for the card for free using the official immigration website of the country or a mobile app. The online system of the Digital Arrival Card is the same as the entry process for countries like Singapore and Malaysia.
When you visit a website, it may store data about you using cookies and similar technologies. Cookies can be important for the basic operations of the website and for other purposes. You get the option of deactivating certain types of cookies, even so, doing that may affect your experience on the website.
It is required to permit the basic functionality of the website. You may not disable necessary cookies.
Used to provide advertising that matches you and your interests. May also be used to restrict the number of times you see an advertisement and estimate the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. The advertising networks place them after obtaining the operator’s permission.
Permits the website to recognize the choices you make (like your username, language, or the region you are in). Also provides more personalized and enhanced features. For instance, a website may inform you about the local weather reports or traffic news by storing the data about your location.
Aid the website operator to determine how the website performs, how visitors interact with the site, and whether there are any technical issues.
