
Planning a trip to Thailand? Well, whether you are excited about shopping in Bangkok or want to sip fresh coconut water on the beaches of Phuket, there is something new about the country that you should know before going there. 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 are planning to visit the historic temples of Chiang Mai, heading 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 denotes, is an online immigration form that replaced the paper-based TM6 arrival card of Thailand. Every traveler, before going to visit the country, should have this card for a stress-free journey. The card also provides complete convenience to all foreigners traveling to the country 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 and Malaysia Digital Arrival Card. From May 2025 onwards, the TDAC card has become mandatory for all foreign travelers, including business, 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 to hold by all foreign travelers entering the country by air, land, or sea, regardless of their visiting purpose, 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 TDAC card.
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 are planning to visit Thailand on 7 June 2025, you should apply for the card on 5 June 2025 itself. Although you can apply for TDAC two days before your trip or on your date of arrival. However, to avoid last-minute hassle and get enough processing and document verification time, it is advisable to apply for the card three days before your trip.
After knowing when to apply for the TDAC card, let's understand how this system works.
As stated above, the TDAC system has replaced the stress-free paperwork and streamlines the entry process by digitizing the information collection. This digital system is synced with the biometric database of the immigration bureau, allowing authorities to quickly check whether international travelers have a criminal background or not. To submit the card, travelers can use the Immigration Bureau website of Thailand. Here, the site provides two immigration options:
Also, you can update the submitted information on the card anytime 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, before boarding their flight, need to fill out their form online. You can register for the card either through the official immigration website of Thailand or using their official mobile app. When applying for the card, make sure you are doing this 72 hours or three days before you arrive in the country to avoid any last-minute hassle. Furthermore, here is how you can apply for the card:
This is how you can apply for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card. Also, the card is free of cost, so you do not need to pay any fee for this. Apart from this, you can also 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 certain key personal identifiers if you want to change them; you may be required to submit a new TDAC application. With this, let's know the information required in the application form.
To fill out the TDAC application, you need to mention the following requested information:
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 of the country. So, make sure when traveling to Thailand, you have an appropriate visa, or you qualify for a visa exemption along with your TDAC Thailand. Now, moving ahead, let's know the perks of having this card.
Over 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 some limitations also. Want to know about it? Read the next section and get your answers.
Here are the following limitations of the TDAC card:
As the TDAC scheme is newly launched, having some limitations is a basic thing in it, but apart from all this, the card provides a smooth travel experience to the travelers. With this, when applying for the card, you also need to fulfill its health declaration requirement. Let's know about it in the next section.
As part of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, travelers need to fulfill some health declaration requirements. This involves the following:
If you have any of these symptoms, you may need to proceed to the Department of Disease Control counter before going through the immigration checkpoint of Thailand. Now moving further, let's know the common mistakes to avoid when applying for the TDAC form.
Although applying for a Thailand Digital Arrival Card 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, get your Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) and travel 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 fill out your Digital Arrival Card correctly. Additionally, we also provide visas from India to other countries. So, whether it is your first trip abroad or you travel occasionally, let us help you in filling out your application while you focus on your trip planning.
Yes, from May 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.
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