Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): Essential And Helpful Guide for Tourists

You are planning to travel to Thailand? Before packing your bags, here’s an important update every traveler should know: Thailand has officially launched the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), an online platform that replaces the traditional paper declaration. No more fumbling with forms on the plane or queuing at the airport to complete the procedure – now, just a few minutes of declaring online is all it takes to enter the country quickly!

Our detailed guide will help you understand what TDAC is, how it differs from the old paper system, the step-by-step process for completing your online immigration declaration, and helpful tips before your trip. Whether you are a first-time visitor or returning to Thailand, this article will ensure your trip goes smoothly.

What Is TDAC?

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is a mandatory online form that all foreign travelers must submit before they can enter the country. It officially replaced the old paper TM6 cards on May 1, 2025. Whether you are flying into an international airport, driving across a land border, or arriving by sea, you have to fill this out. There are only a few exceptions, mostly for flight crews or transit passengers who never actually go through immigration. It matters because it’s a hard requirement. If you haven’t completed it, you’re likely to face long delays or get stuck at the border while you scramble to finish it on your phone.

TDAC is a new online declaration system, replacing TM6

If you’ve been to Thailand before, you probably remember the blue-and-white paper slips you’d fill out with a borrowed pen on the plane. The TDAC is just the digital version of that. You go to the Immigration Bureau’s official site and put in your passport info, where you’re staying, and your flight or travel details. Occasionally, the Ministry of Public Health might ask for some health information too, depending on current rules.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that the TDAC is not a visa. It doesn’t replace a tourist visa, a visa on arrival, or a visa exemption. Think of it as an administrative “check-in” that works alongside your visa. Even if your country allows you to enter Thailand without a visa, you still need to complete the TDAC before you land. The system works with every type of entry, so no matter how you’re getting in, you’ll need to have your digital confirmation ready.

How Is TDAC Different From the Previous Process?

The TDAC has the same content as the previous TM6 paper declaration, except that visitors can complete it online. Specifically, the online declaration form is divided into several sections, including personal information, travel itinerary and accommodation details, health declaration, and finally signature confirmation.

The previous TM6 paper declaration

Visitors need to complete the declaration form online at the official website of the Thai Immigration Department within 3 days before arriving in Thailand. After submitting the application, a digital card will be sent via email. Visitors must print or save it on their smartphone to present at the immigration office. When entering the country, officers will scan the QR code to check the information, helping to shorten the processing time compared to filling out the previous paper declaration form.

Benefits of the Online Declaration System TDAC

Benefits of TDAC

The transition from the paper form to the Thailand Digital Arrival Card is expected to bring many benefits:

• Faster immigration procedures: Digital application submission will reduce queuing times and manual processing at airports and land borders. Visitors will no longer need to wait in line to fill out an immigration form. You will also no longer need to worry about losing your application form, simply scan the QR code and you are done.
• More efficient and secure data collection: Integration with Thailand’s e-visa system will make the immigration process smoother and more transparent. It will also help Thai authorities monitor visitor trends and security risks more effectively.
• Environmentally friendly: Eliminate paper waste associated with printed TM6 forms.
• Seamless integration with tourism and health measures: The TDAC will assist in monitoring visitor arrivals and any health checks required.

Who Needs to Complete the Online Declaration When Entering Thailand?

Any traveler arriving in Thailand now required to complete an online entry declaration

Regardless of nationality or mode of entry, any visitor arriving in Thailand from May 1st 2025 must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before entering the country. However, there are some cases where the entry declaration is not required as follows:

• Those with long-term visas are staying in Thailand for more than 90 days. However, they must notify the immigration officer near their place of residence in writing and declare every 90 days.
• Passengers transiting or transferring flights without going through immigration control.
• Foreigners entering Thailand with a Border Crossing Card, diplomatic passport or special document (United Nations laissez-passer – UNLP).

Step-by-step Instructions For Filling Out the Thailand Digital Arrival Card

The application process is designed to be simple and user-friendly. Here are the basic steps to follow:

Step 1: Access the System

Access the TDAC official website at http://tdac.immigration.go.th or via QR code. On the main page, citizens click on “Verify you are a human”, then click on “Arrival Card”. Choose to apply individually or in groups

Thailand Digital Arrival Card website.

Step 2: Fill in Personal Information

Citizens fill in all required personal information, including:

• Full name
• Passport number
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Phone number

Citizens can declare on behalf of the elderly or edit if they fill in incorrect information.

Digital arrival card personal information form.

Step 3: Fill in travel and accommodation information

The travel information will include:

• Date of arrival
• Purpose of trip
• Means of transport
• Flight number

The accommodation information will include:

• Type of accommodation in Thailand
• Address of accommodation in Thailand

Trip and accommodation information form.

Step 4: Health declaration

As part of the TDAC, travelers must complete a health declaration that includes:

• List of countries visited within two weeks before arrival
• Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate status (if required)
• Declaration of any symptoms experienced in the past two weeks

If you declare any symptoms, you may be required to proceed to the Department of Disease Control counter before entering the immigration checkpoint.

Step 5: Review and submit the application

Arrival card submission confirmation.

Step 6: Download your TDAC document

After completing the declaration, the system will send a QR code via email. Please save this QR code on your phone or print it out to use when going through immigration procedures.

Download the digital arrival card.

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Important Notes & Tips Travel to Thailand After the Change

The move to the online TDAC system may be a little daunting for some travelers at first, but it’s actually an improvement that makes the immigration process much faster and more convenient. So how can you make sure your trip goes smoothly? Here are some important things to remember before you leave:

1. Complete the TDAC Declaration Form before you fly

This process only takes a few minutes but will save you dozens of minutes of queuing when you arrive. We recommend you declare at least 3 days in advance to ensure there are no last-minute issues.

2. Save your QR code

After completing the declaration, the system will send a QR code to your email for you to present at immigration, so save it on your phone or print it out in case your phone runs out of battery or has network problems. Don’t forget to double-check the code before you arrive to avoid any unwanted situations.

3. Prepare all necessary documents

Please note that the Thailand Digital Arrival Card is not a visa. You must still ensure that you have the appropriate visa or visa exemption to enter Thailand. Some important documents include:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months.
• Return or onward air ticket (if not a Thai citizen).
• Confirmed hotel reservation or address of accommodation.

4. Check the latest entry information

Thailand may change some visa or entry regulations from time to time. Before flying, check the official website of the Thai Embassy or the Ministry of Tourism for the latest information.

5. Notes on filling in information

The system allows you to update most of the information you have submitted at any time before you travel. However, some important personal identification information cannot be changed, including full name, passport number, nationality and date of birth. If you need to correct this important information, you may need to apply for a new TDAC form.

With the introduction of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), entering Thailand will become more efficient and friendly for visitors. If you have any questions or are unclear about this new change, IDC Travel will assist you in completing all the necessary information quickly and accurately, helping you save time and enjoy your trip with peace of mind. With many years of experience in the visa and travel industry, IDC Travel is committed to providing you with a complete experience, from airfare, hotel to immigration procedures – all in one! Contact us today to start your long-awaited trip to Thailand.

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