Thailand’s Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) – A Visitor’s Guide

Starting May 1, 2025, Thailand will launch the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), an online immigration system designed to replace the traditional TM6 paper form. This new digital system aims to enhance efficiency, reduce processing times, and simplify entry procedures for international travelers.

In all likelihood it may just make things more confusing – but hey, they said technology would make our lives easier, we'd work less, and do more of what we love! It's a ruse. Anyway, here's everything you meed to know about this new, essential travel requirement.

From TM6 to TDAC: A Digital Transformation

The TM6 form was a longstanding requirement for foreigners entering and exiting Thailand. It collected essential traveler details such as name, passport information, and local address. Historically, passengers received the form onboard their flight or at immigration checkpoints and filled it out before arrival and departure.

However, in July 2022, Thailand temporarily suspended the TM6 form requirement for air arrivals to ease airport congestion. This suspension was later extended to land and sea entry points, supporting Thailand’s efforts to boost tourism by reducing bureaucratic hurdles. By October 2024, the government confirmed the extension of this suspension until April 30, 2025, while developing a more modern, digital alternative: the TDAC system.

How TDAC Works

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is designed to streamline immigration procedures by allowing travelers to submit their information online before arriving in the country. The system integrates with key government agencies, including:

• Department of Consular Affairs: Links with the E-Visa system for seamless visa processing.
• Department of Disease Control: Ensures smooth health screenings and compliance with medical regulations.
• * Ministry of Tourism and Sports: Connects with Thailand’s tourist fee-collection system for better visitor management.

* Thailand is expected to re-implement a tourist tax in 2025. The tax will be 300 Thai baht (THB) for air travelers and 150 THB for travelers entering by land or sea.

The TDAC system will be available in five languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Japanese, ensuring global accessibility for its primary tourism markets.

Proposed Benefits of the TDAC System

For Travelers:

• Pre-registration convenience: Submit details online before departure, reducing hassle of filling out on the plane or upon arrival/departure.
• Faster immigration clearance: Shorter wait times at airports and border checkpoints (questionable, given that the TM6 hardly took a moment to look at).
• Enhanced security: More accurate and verified personal data.

For Thailand:

• Improved efficiency: A streamlined immigration system for handling large tourist volumes.
• Boost to tourism: Enhances Thailand’s reputation as a modern and traveler-friendly destination.
• Economic growth: A more efficient entry system encourages tourism and business travel.

How to Apply for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

Getting your TDAC is quick and easy—and you can do it in just a few minutes!

You can fill in the form up to 3 days before your arrival in Thailand, or—if needed—on arrival at the airport using your smartphone, tablet, or computer (as long as you have internet access) before you get in line for immigration.

Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a QR code. This QR code must be presented to the immigration officer along with your passport. You can either show it directly from your device or print it out to carry with you.

Step-by-Step: Applying for Your TDAC

1. Go to the official TDAC website:
2. Click ‘Arrival Card’ on the homepage.
3. Fill in your personal and passport details, then click ‘Continue’.
4. Enter your trip information and accommodation address (just the first place you’re staying), then click ‘Continue’.
5. List any countries you’ve visited in the past 14 days for health declaration purposes. If you’ve visited a country flagged by the Thai Ministry of Public Health, you’ll be prompted to complete a health form.
6. Travelling with others? Click ‘Add’ to fill out the form for each additional traveller. When you’re done, click ‘Next’.
7. Review all your information. Need to change something? Just click ‘Edit’.
8. Enter your email address to receive your digital card.
9. Tick the box to accept the Terms & Conditions, then hit ‘Submit’.
10. You’ll receive a confirmation email with your TDAC. Download it or print it for your trip.

Be sure to keep your QR code handy for a smooth experience at immigration. Have a safe and stress-free arrival in Thailand!

You can access the TDAC user guide here. 

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Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) – FAQ

As this is a new system, there may be minor glitches or updates as the Immigration Bureau fine-tunes the platform based on user feedback. We’ll keep this page updated with the latest information and answers to the most common questions.

1. Do I have to pay to use the TDAC?

Nope! The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is completely free of charge.

2. I haven’t finalised my full travel itinerary. Do I need to list every hotel I’ll stay at?

Not at all. You only need to enter the first hotel or accommodation where you’ll be staying upon arrival in Thailand.

3. I’m a retiree living in Thailand. Why can’t I select Thailand as my country of residence?

At this time, the dropdown menu doesn’t include Thailand. However, we’ve been advised that Thailand will be added as an option once the system is fully rolled out.

4. What if I made a mistake or need to update my information?

You can edit your TDAC any time before you travel. Just follow the steps in the “How to update” section below.

5. I forgot to fill out the TDAC before my flight. What now?

Don’t worry. Help desks will be available at immigration checkpoints for those who didn’t complete the TDAC in advance. That said, this is intended for emergencies only. To save time and avoid delays, please complete the form before you travel.

6. How do I update or correct my TDAC?

Follow these steps to edit your information:

1. Click ‘Update Arrival Card’ on the TDAC website.
2. Fill in the search fields: TDAC number, passport number, date of birth, and nationality.
3. Click ‘Search’ to find your application.
4. Review and correct your information.
5. Enter your email to receive the updated TDAC.
6. Agree to the Terms & Conditions, then click ‘Submit’.
7. You’ll receive a downloadable and printable version of your Digital Arrival Card by email.

Important notes for using the TDAC system:

• All entries must be completed in English.
• When using dropdown menus, type the first three letters of the info you’re looking for to speed up selection.
• The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is not a visa.

You cannot edit the following details after submission:

• Full name (as shown in your passport)
• Passport number
• Nationality/Citizenship
• Date of birth

TDAC Vs ETA

You may remember my post late last year on the proposed Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme and be wondering if the TDAC is being proposed as a replacement of integration of the ETA. The answer as of now is no.

At this stage, Thailand has confirmed that TDAC will launch on May 1, 2025, while ETA is still in development with no finalized start date.

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) and the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) are separate systems, though they both aim to streamline the entry process for travelers. Below is a table detailing the difference.

How TDAC and ETA Might Work Together

1. A traveler from a visa-exempt country (e.g., the UK, Germany, the US) first applies for an ETA online.
2. Once ETA is approved, they also complete TDAC before their trip.
3. At immigration, officials verify both the ETA and TDAC details.

+ Read more on the ETA here.

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Need more help or have a specific question not listed here? Feel free to reach out in the comments section below.

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