The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is now the single most important document a foreign traveller needs before flying to Thailand — yes, even before your visa, hotel booking or SIM card. Introduced by the Royal Thai Immigration Bureau and made compulsory from 1 May 2025, the TDAC replaced the classic paper TM6 arrival card and is required for every foreign national entering Thailand by air, land or sea.
This complete 2026 guide will walk you through exactly what the TDAC is, who needs it, what information you'll be asked for, how to file it correctly, and the most common mistakes that delay travellers at Bangkok, Phuket or Chiang Mai airports.
What's in this guide
What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is an online declaration form that every foreign visitor must submit before arriving in the Kingdom of Thailand. Think of it as a digital version of the immigration arrival form you used to fill out on the plane — except now it has to be done before you leave your home country.
The information you submit allows Thai immigration officers to pre-screen travellers, speed up arrival processing at the airport, and maintain accurate records of who is in the country at any given time. The TDAC isn't a visa, and it doesn't replace one. It's an arrival declaration that works alongside whatever visa or visa-exemption you're travelling on.
Who needs to file the TDAC?
The rule is simple: every foreign national arriving in Thailand needs to file the TDAC. There are no exemptions based on visa type, nationality or length of stay. The only people who don't need to file are Thai citizens travelling on Thai passports.
- Tourists from visa-exempt countries (India, UK, USA, Australia, EU nations, etc.)
- Travellers on a visa on arrival
- Travellers on an eVisa
- Travellers on a long-stay visa (Education, Retirement, DTV, etc.)
- Business travellers
- Diplomatic and official passport holders (with very limited exceptions)
- Crew members not entering for tourism
- Anyone entering by air, land border or sea (including cruise ships)
Children of all ages must have their own TDAC, even infants. Each traveller's TDAC is linked to their individual passport number.
When should you apply for the TDAC?
The TDAC application window opens 72 hours (3 days) before your scheduled arrival in Thailand. You cannot file earlier than that — the system will reject the application.
While 72 hours is the maximum lead time, we strongly recommend submitting at least 24 hours before your flight. This buffer lets you fix any errors, correct typos in your passport number, or upload missing photos. Travellers who try to file the TDAC from the airport check-in counter often run into Wi-Fi issues, browser problems and last-minute payment delays.
Best practice: submit your TDAC the moment the 72-hour window opens. The earlier you file, the more time you have to resolve issues.
Documents and information required
Before you start the form, gather the following items so you don't have to abandon the application halfway through:
Personal information
- Full name exactly as it appears in your passport
- Date of birth, nationality, gender
- Country of residence and current home address
- Contact phone number and email address
Passport details
- Passport number (double-check this — it's the #1 typo issue)
- Passport issue and expiry dates
- Country of issue
- A clear photo or scan of the passport bio page
Travel details
- Date of arrival in Thailand
- Flight number or transport details
- Departure city and arrival city in Thailand
- Date of intended departure from Thailand
Accommodation details
- Hotel name and full address for your first night
- If you're staying with friends or family, their address and contact number
Health declaration
- List of any countries you've visited in the past 14 days
- Vaccination details if travelling from a yellow-fever risk area
Step-by-step: how to fill the TDAC
Whether you file directly through the official portal or through a private service like ours, the steps are similar:
- Start a new application within the 72-hour window before arrival.
- Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport. Pay extra attention to spelling and date order (DD/MM/YYYY vs MM/DD/YYYY).
- Upload a clear passport photo. JPG or PNG, under 5MB, no glare, all four corners visible.
- Fill in your flight details. The airline code + flight number is required (e.g. AI332, TG316).
- Add your accommodation address. The official Thai-language address is helpful; if you only know the English address, that's fine too.
- Complete the health declaration. Be truthful — false declarations can result in entry refusal.
- Review every field. Mistakes are the #1 cause of delays at immigration.
- Submit and save the QR-coded confirmation that's emailed to you.
What happens after submission?
Once you submit the form, the system performs an automatic check. Most TDACs are approved within minutes; complex cases (incomplete information, mismatched passport details) can take up to 24–48 hours. You'll receive a confirmation email containing your TDAC reference number and a downloadable PDF with a QR code.
At the airport, immigration officers will either scan the QR code from your phone or request the printed PDF. Save a copy offline before you fly — airport Wi-Fi can be unreliable.
Common mistakes to avoid
From processing hundreds of thousands of applications, here are the mistakes we see most often:
- Passport number typos. Especially the "0" vs "O" and "1" vs "I" confusions.
- Wrong date order. Thailand uses DD/MM/YYYY format. Americans, beware.
- Mismatched names. The name on the TDAC must match the passport letter-for-letter, including middle names.
- Vague accommodation address. "Bangkok" isn't enough — include the hotel name and street.
- Outdated passport scan. Make sure the photo is your current valid passport, not an expired one.
- Filing too early. The system rejects applications submitted more than 72 hours before arrival.
- Filing too late. Submitting from the boarding gate is risky — Wi-Fi often fails when you need it most.
TDAC vs visa: what's the difference?
This is the most common point of confusion. The TDAC is not a visa. It's an arrival declaration that every traveller must file regardless of their visa status.
- Visa-exempt travellers (most Western countries, India, ASEAN) — still need the TDAC.
- Visa on arrival travellers (a small list of nationalities) — still need the TDAC.
- eVisa or sticker visa holders — still need the TDAC.
- Long-stay visa holders (Retirement, DTV, Education) — still need the TDAC each time they re-enter.
If you're unsure of your visa requirements, our Thailand Visa Requirements guide breaks it down by country.
Why use a private TDAC service?
The official portal is free, and any traveller can use it directly. So why do thousands of travellers each week choose a private service like ours? Three reasons:
- Time and accuracy. Our smart form catches typos and validates fields in real time. A second pair of expert eyes reviews every application before submission.
- Support. When something goes wrong at 2am the day before your flight, our chat team is there to help. The official portal offers no real-time support.
- Convenience. Many travellers find the official UI confusing. We translate the immigration jargon into plain English and walk you through every step.
If you're confident in your English, comfortable with online forms and have plenty of time, the official portal is a great free option. If you'd rather hand off the headache and travel knowing it's been done right, our assisted TDAC service is built for you.
Quick FAQ
How long does TDAC approval take?
Most applications are approved within minutes. Allow up to 24–48 hours for complex cases.
Is there a government fee for the TDAC?
No, the Thai government does not charge a fee for the TDAC itself. Private services like ours charge a fee for assistance, expert review and customer support.
Can I file one TDAC for my whole family?
No, each traveller — including children and infants — needs their own TDAC linked to their passport.
What if my flight or details change after submission?
You can update your TDAC up to 24 hours before arrival. If you booked through our service, contact our support team and we'll handle it for you.
Do I need to print the TDAC?
You don't have to — the QR code on your phone works — but a printed copy is a smart backup in case your phone dies or there's no signal.