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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.

Thailand-digital-arrival-card

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.

FeatureTDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card)ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)
PurposeReplaces the TM6 arrival/departure card for all foreign travelersAllows visa-exempt travelers to apply for entry authorization online before traveling
Who Needs It?All foreign travelers, regardless of visa statusOnly applies to visa-exempt travelers who previously didn’t need a visa
Launch DateMay 1, 2025Expected in 2025, but no official start date confirmed yet
How It WorksTravelers submit arrival information online before travel to speed up immigrationEligible travelers apply for ETA to confirm entry approval
Main BenefitReduces paperwork and shortens processing times at immigration checkpointsIntroduces a pre-approval process for visa-exempt travelers, improving border security

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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Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

  1. Ken says

    The TDAC does not seem to be a major obstacle however, the ETA which is supposed to be introduced very soon is a bit worrisome...the ETA is effectively a permission for you to be allowed to enter Thailand....if permission is not granted then you obviously won't need to fill in the TDAC because entry has been denied...My concern is that when you apply for permission to enter ( ETA) you need to provide your flight details in and out..my obvious concern is that you have to book a ticket then for some reason you reason you are declined entry you are then stuck with a return flight ticket which you can't use.....the way round this would be to buy a fully refundable ticket but they cost a fortune.. The new system hasn't been thought out very well but we need not worry unnecessarily because Thailand immigration policy changes every 6 months, they are clueless
    Reply

      • Ken says

        Unfortunately it appears that whenever a new piece of software is introduced the geek programmers get it wrong....they eventually get it right by the feedback from the users of their inefficient programming...
        Unless it is really necessary I would hold back my trip until they have sorted out all the bugs and glitches this would then hopefully mean a less stressful experience in the future.
        Geeks really need to get out more
        Reply

  2. Gareth says

    Your site says “ You need to fill out a TDAC at least 72 hours before you travel.“

    The Offical site says both

    In FAQ says it has to he within 3 days of arrival and no sooner. Suggesting it can be done at the very last minute as long as it’s within 3 days

    The guide says it has to be 3 days in advance exactly. Which it even more confusing.

    Either way both of these conflict what your site says
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Gareth, you are correct. My information was based on the initial press release I received. I noted at the bottom of my post that I would update with further information once I had it. I have just got around to doing that this evening. All the information should be present and correct, including a new guide to filling out the form and an FAQ. Thank you!
      Reply

      • Adrian says

        HI Peter,
        You'll be a Thai visa wizard in what you have started! I appreciate what you are doing because answering to continuously changing rules is not easy!
        Anyway, if you know what to do when one has to fill in the Visa Number (Stephen White) on a Visa Exempt, what to fill in here?'

        And for Ken: I remember that Microsoft started asking users a long time ago: if you find an error in our software please let us know. Reason: I have not heard of any Software Checking Tool, have you? It'll be hardly possible I think as there are so many decision points in today's big programs software programs, basically: left right or straight onwards, that the checking Software may take years to complete! And a lot of personnel?

        Adrian
        Reply

      • TheThailandLife says

        You can fill in the form up to 3 days before you travel. It does NOT have to be done 3 days before. 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.
        Reply

        • Ken says

          I understand about the 3 day minimum notice period but what would happen if you were informed that a loved one who is living in Thailand had been involved in a life threatening accident and you, living in England needed to travel immediately to see them ??
          Would immigration say...hold on mate you haven't given us 3 days notice....
          Reply

          • TheThailandLife says

            There is no 3-day minimum notice period. You can fill in the form up to 3 days (72 hours) before you fly. You can fill it in at 2 days, 1 day, or last minute. And if you forget there are provisions to help you. Please read my article above for all details and the FAQ. There is also a link to the immigration help videos.
            Reply

            • Ken says

              If here is no 3-day minimum notice period and you can fill in the form up to 3 days (72 hours) before you fly and you can fill it in at 2 days, 1 day, or last minute then why do they mention it all.....
              Why don't they simply say a DTAC needs to be completed before you arrive.
              Reply

  4. Ken says

    So, from May 2025 passengers will need to fill in a TDAC, then in the near future they will also need to fill in a ETA.... that's 2 forms to fill in am I right on that??
    In addition, every trip made in the future will also require both sets of forms to be completed, am I right on that??.
    Also when the ETA system eventually gets up and running am I right in thinking that you can only apply for it upto 3 days prior to travelling???
    Reply

    • JamesE says

      Possibly, as the details have not yet been finalized. It may be that, like Singapore, the Thai version of the ETA will allow fully automated entry (subject to the algorithm deciding if you're a drug mule, human trafficking victim, or dressed inappropriately). This would work much like the current visa-exempt/TV exit system where you're trapped in a little corral until your biometrics are collected and you are released. You would have user name in the system and once you've been validated the first trip, then subsequent trips are just a notification. That notification could include the TDAC questionnaire info. No firm details as of right now.
      Reply

    • Adrian says

      Hi, the TDAC will come into effect May 1st. I sent an email to the Thai Immigration in Thailand and I received back that it could not be delivered. I guess The Imm has not counted on the overload of questions sent to them!

      The ETA will not come into force for a long time because it has to be integrated with airlines, travel agents and the like and they will not create jobs just to help with this system. The EU has tried this and failed and has not implemented it, so far. It becomes unbearable that simple travelers like us are now more and more considered criminals, something that has come from the USA, (Land of the Free!) and the rest of the world has to follow.
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      I'm not sure how they will manage this, because there is bound to be people who don't know about this or simply forget. I would imagine the airlines will have been told and they will inform travelers of this obligation. There may also be a grace period while people get used to the system.
      Reply

  7. Ken says

    How do you accurately fill in the paperwork when your travel plans could change...for example I am not exactly sure when I am going to return ( I may apply for an
    extension to stay ) secondly I will be touring around and I am not exactly sure where I will be staying.....how can I give return flight details and exact accommodation details...is there a way around this???
    Reply

    • JamesE says

      The new system really doesn't change anything from the current laws regarding tourism and the data collected with the old TM.6. Right now, you are required to have a return flight booked if you you are arriving as a tourist on a visa exemption or SETV. If you're using one of those entries and you don't have a return flight, then your airline might not let you board. If you don't want to book a return flight, then you can rent a ticket or buy a refundable ticket showing you're going to leave the country. The accommodation details are only for your first hotel. After that initial stay you'll have TM.30 forms filed by your other hotels, etc.
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hey Jimmy, I like Vietnam too, but when there I always miss the Thai people. It's the people that make the country so colorful. What are you enjoying about Vietnam, and what has put you off Thailand?
      Reply

  10. Mike Baker says

    Typically, they want to try to convince you there are benefits for you and the country. That is rubbish. Any additional process will never encourage business or tourism or enhance perceptions of security, of being modern and friendly.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      You're right. I mean, it won't make your holiday any better. But it may well enhance security and tracking of criminals. At the end of the day, it's the way of the world, collecting data to be stored in the digital domain.
      Reply

    • frank peeters says

      it's just making things more difficult and of no benefit to travelers at all.
      I can remember the passenger locator form during Covid which we had in Europe and was a total nightmare that more often than not didn't work, let's hope this DTAC / ETA forms will be easier to use.
      Reply

    • Frank says

      That's how they sell everything: that it is easy and convenient when in reality it's just a hassle, of no benefit and will guaranteed cause problems. I did not forget about the passenger locator form during Covid, which was a total nightmare.
      Reply

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