Thailand Arrival Card
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
The free, mandatory online form for every foreigner entering Thailand — explained in plain English.
Quick facts
- ✓ Free — never pay a third-party site
- ✓ Mandatory for all non-Thai travelers since 1 May 2025
- ✓ Submit within 72 hours before arrival
- ✓ Required at every air, land and sea border
- ✓ Official site: tdac.immigration.go.th
What is the TDAC?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is the digital replacement for the paper TM6 immigration form that was scrapped in May 2025. Every foreign national — tourist, digital nomad, retiree, DTV holder or Elite member — must submit one online before each arrival. Thai nationals are exempt.
Step-by-step: how to file
- Open tdac.immigration.go.th (only this URL is official).
- Choose “Individual” or “Group” (families travelling together).
- Fill in passport details exactly as printed in the machine-readable zone.
- Enter flight number, arrival date, port of entry, and full Thai accommodation address.
- Submit. You'll receive a QR-code PDF by email — save it offline and screenshot it.
- At immigration: show the QR code (paper or phone). No printing required, but a printout is safer.
Common mistakes that get travelers rejected
- • Submitting more than 72 hours early — the system blocks it.
- • Mistyping passport number (use the MRZ at the bottom of the photo page).
- • Listing “hotel TBD” — you need a real address, even Airbnb works.
- • Using a scam clone site that charges 20–50 USD. The TDAC is always free.
- • Forgetting to file again for a re-entry after a Cambodia/Laos border run.
Stuck? Ask the AI
Live answers in 30 sec — sources cited from Thai Immigration Act.
Open the AI ConsultantFAQ
What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?
TDAC is the mandatory online arrival form every non-Thai traveler must submit within 3 days before entering Thailand. It replaced the paper TM6 form in May 2025 and is required at every air, land and sea border.
When should I submit the TDAC?
At the earliest 72 hours (3 days) before your arrival date. Submitting too early will be rejected. Best practice: file it the day before you fly.
Is the TDAC free?
Yes — the official TDAC at tdac.immigration.go.th is 100% free. If a website charges you, it is a third-party reseller, not the government.
What information do I need?
Passport details, flight number, arrival date, accommodation address in Thailand, and a working email address for the QR-code confirmation.
What happens if I don't submit a TDAC?
You can be denied boarding by your airline or held at Thai immigration. Some travelers have been fined or sent back on the next flight.
Do children need their own TDAC?
Yes — every traveler regardless of age needs a separate TDAC submission, including infants traveling on a parent's passport.
Can I edit my TDAC after submitting?
No — once submitted you cannot edit. If flight or hotel changes, submit a new TDAC and present the latest QR code at immigration.
Does the DTV / Retirement / Elite visa exempt me from TDAC?
No. Every foreigner entering Thailand must file a TDAC regardless of visa type, including long-term residents on re-entry.
Informational only. Not legal advice. Verify with official Thai Immigration before traveling.