Thailand immigration revolutionises entry procedures: How the TDAC system will streamline your arrival experience and what you need to prepare before your next Thai holiday
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand in 2025, there’s a critical update to the entry process you need to know about. From 1st May 2025, Thailand’s Immigration Bureau is officially replacing the traditional paper TM6 arrival card with a fully digital system called the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). This mandatory online pre-registration aims to streamline border processing, significantly reduce immigration queues, and enhance security measures for all international visitors entering the Land of Smiles.
Having navigated Southeast Asian immigration procedures for over a decade, I’ve witnessed Thailand gradually digitising its tourism infrastructure with varying degrees of success. The introduction of the TDAC, however, appears to be a genuinely positive advancement, particularly for frequent visitors who’ve endured the tedious paperwork upon arrival. After personally completing countless TM6 forms (typically balanced precariously on my passport while squeezed into an aeroplane seat), I’m cautiously optimistic about this digital transformation of Thailand’s entry requirements.
Traditional paper-based immigration at Thai airports has long created bottlenecks for arriving visitors. The new TDAC system aims to eliminate these queues.
What Exactly Is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is an online pre-arrival registration form developed by Thailand’s Immigration Bureau to replace the paper TM6 arrival cards that foreign visitors have been required to complete for decades. Rather than filling out paper forms during your flight or upon arrival at overcrowded immigration counters, you’ll submit all your entry information electronically before departing for Thailand.
This digital immigration system forms part of Thailand’s broader strategy to modernise border control procedures and aligns with similar pre-arrival registration systems already implemented in neighbouring Southeast Asian destinations like Cambodia’s e-Visa system, Malaysia’s digital arrival card, and Singapore’s SG Arrival Card, as well as countries further afield like South Korea’s K-ETA and Cuba’s digital tourist card.
The TDAC submission will be mandatory for all foreign passport holders entering Thailand by air, land, or sea, starting 1st May 2025, regardless of visa status or purpose of visit. The only exceptions will be:
- Travellers who are merely transiting through Thailand without passing through immigration control
- Those entering using a Border Pass (specific documentation for certain land border crossings)
When and How to Complete Your Thailand Digital Arrival Card
The TDAC completion process is straightforward but requires advance planning. You must submit your digital arrival card within 72 hours (three days) before your scheduled arrival in Thailand. For instance, if you’re arriving on 15th May, you can complete your TDAC anytime from 12th May onwards.
For travellers arriving on the launch date (1st May 2025), the TDAC system will begin accepting submissions from 28th April 2025—a thoughtful provision by Thai authorities anticipating the transition period challenges.
Step-by-Step Guide to Completing Your TDAC:
- Visit the official Thailand Immigration Bureau website here
- Select “Arrival Card” to begin the process
- Fill in your personal information (full name as appears in passport, date of birth, nationality, passport number and expiry date)
- Provide detailed travel information (precise arrival date, transportation method, flight number, purpose of visit)
- Enter your complete accommodation information in Thailand (hotel name, address, booking confirmation number)
- Complete the required health declaration
- Carefully review all information for accuracy
- Submit the form and save the digital confirmation sent to your email
The TDAC system offers both individual submissions and group/family submissions, particularly convenient for families travelling with children or organised tour groups. You can update your information anytime before departure if your travel plans change, providing valuable flexibility for last-minute itinerary adjustments.
The new TDAC portal allows travellers to submit immigration information before arrival, eliminating paperwork upon landing in Thailand.
Essential Information Required for Your Thailand Digital Arrival Card
Based on Thailand Immigration Bureau requirements, you should have the following information readily available when completing your TDAC:
- Passport details: Full passport number, country of issue, and expiration date
- Personal information: Complete name as shown in passport, date of birth, nationality, gender
- Visa information: Visa type and number (if applicable)
- Travel itinerary: Specific arrival date, flight number or other transport details, port of embarkation
- Accommodation details: Complete address and contact information for your hotel or residence in Thailand
- Travel history: Countries visited in the 14 days prior to your arrival in Thailand
- Health declaration: Basic health information required by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health
Special Instructions for Long-Term Thailand Residents:
For expatriates, digital nomads, retirement visa holders, and other long-term residents of Thailand, there’s an important distinction when completing the form: When filling out the TDAC, permanent or long-term foreign residents should select “Thailand” under “Country of Residence” once the system becomes operational. This helps immigration authorities properly categorise you as a resident rather than a tourist.
What Happens If You Can’t Complete the TDAC Before Arrival?
Although Thai authorities strongly encourage all travellers to complete the TDAC before arrival, they’ve acknowledged potential technological barriers. Perhaps you’re travelling from a location with unreliable internet access, experiencing technical difficulties, or unexpected circumstances prevented your online submission.
For these exceptional cases, assistance will be provided at designated TDAC help points located at major immigration checkpoints, including Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang International Airport, Phuket International Airport, and major land border crossings. However, be prepared for potentially significant delays if you rely on this backup option.
Based on my experience with similar systems in neighbouring countries, these immigration “help points” can quickly become severely congested during peak travel periods, sometimes adding several hours to your entry process during high season. The additional paperwork and manual processing defeat the system’s purpose of streamlining entry procedures.
My strongest recommendation: Complete your Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before departure. This isn’t merely about compliance—it’s about ensuring your own smooth arrival experience and avoiding unnecessary stress after a long journey.
Help desks will assist travellers who couldn’t complete the TDAC in advance, but expect significant delays during peak periods.
Thailand’s Changing Immigration Landscape: Beyond the Digital Arrival Card
The TDAC implementation comes amid broader changes to Thailand’s immigration and tourism policies. Thai authorities are reportedly considering reducing the visa-free stay period from 60 days to 30 days for nationals of the 93 visa-exempt countries, including the UK, EU nations, Australia, and the United States. While this potential visa policy change remains under review, it reflects Thailand’s coordinated strategy to better manage tourism flows, prevent visa regulation abuses, and enhance security measures.
Having closely followed Thailand’s tourism recovery since the COVID-19 pandemic, these policy adjustments indicate a strategic shift toward higher-quality, more controlled tourism rather than simply maximising visitor numbers. The Digital Arrival Card represents just one component of Thailand’s comprehensive approach to modernising border management through digital transformation.
For frequent Thailand visitors and long-term guests, these evolving entry procedures present both conveniences and potential complications. While the TDAC should significantly streamline immigration processing, possible reductions in visa-free allowances may necessitate more advance planning for extended stays.
Expert Analysis: Thailand’s Digital Arrival Card Compared to Regional Systems
As someone who’s made countless border crossings throughout Southeast Asia—by air, land, and sea—I view Thailand’s TDAC implementation as a positive but somewhat overdue development. The traditional paper TM6 forms were inefficient, environmentally wasteful, error-prone, and frequently created immigration bottlenecks that could stretch to hours during peak tourist seasons.
Thailand’s approach appears most similar to Malaysia’s digital arrival card system but more comprehensive than Cambodia’s more limited pre-registration options. Singapore’s SG Arrival Card system, implemented several years earlier, likely provided a successful model for Thai immigration authorities to study and improve upon.
However, several practical concerns remain. How will the system accommodate elderly travellers, individuals with limited technological literacy, or those from regions with restricted internet access? Will the TDAC portal be consistently accessible from all countries, including those with internet censorship or restrictions? How will the system handle inevitable technical challenges during the critical transition period?
From my experience observing similar digital immigration implementations across ASEAN countries, the initial 2-3 weeks following launch will likely see some confusion as both international travellers and Thai immigration officers adapt to the new procedures. I strongly recommend avoiding non-essential travel to Thailand during the first fortnight after the 1st May 2025 launch unless absolutely necessary.
For digital nomads, business travellers, and tech-comfortable tourists, this digital transformation should ultimately prove seamless and welcome. For less tech-savvy visitors, it may require additional preparation, assistance from travel agents, or support from family members before departure.
Having your TDAC confirmation ready on your smartphone will expedite the immigration process at Thai airports and land borders.
7 Essential Tips for a Smooth Thailand Digital Arrival Card Experience
Based on extensive personal experience with similar pre-arrival registration systems across Southeast Asia, here are my top recommendations for trouble-free TDAC submission:
- Submit early within the 72-hour window – While you can only complete the TDAC three days before arrival, prepare all required information earlier and submit as soon as the window opens rather than leaving it until the last minute before your flight.
- Take multiple screenshots – After successfully completing your TDAC, capture screenshots of both the confirmation page and confirmation number in addition to saving the email confirmation. These backups can be invaluable if you encounter connectivity issues upon arrival in Thailand.
- Print a physical copy – Despite the digital nature of the system, printing your TDAC confirmation provides an essential backup if your device battery dies, technical issues occur, or connectivity problems arise at immigration.
- Monitor official updates before departure – Government requirements can change with minimal notice. Check the official TDAC website (https://tdac.immigration.go.th) a week before your journey for any system updates, procedure changes, or additional requirements.
- Verify all personal information meticulously – Ensure all names, passport numbers, and dates precisely match your travel documents. Even minor discrepancies like hyphenated names or middle initials could create complications at immigration checkpoints.
- Bookmark the official website – Save the legitimate TDAC portal to your favourites and beware of potential copycat sites or scams that may emerge claiming to process your Thailand arrival card for additional fees.
- Complete separate TDACs for each family member – Even when using the group submission option, ensure each traveller’s information is complete and accurate, particularly for children travelling on their own passports.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) the same as a visa?
No, the TDAC is not a visa and doesn’t replace any visa requirements. It’s a pre-arrival registration that replaces the paper TM6 form. You must still obtain appropriate visas if required for your nationality.
How far in advance can I complete my TDAC?
You can submit your TDAC up to 72 hours (3 days) before your scheduled arrival in Thailand, no earlier.
Is there a fee for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?
No, the TDAC is completely free when submitted through the official Immigration Bureau website. Beware of unofficial websites charging processing fees.
Can I update my information after submitting my TDAC?
Yes, you can modify your information anytime before arrival if your travel plans change.
Do Thai citizens or residents need to complete the TDAC?
Thai citizens are exempt from the TDAC requirement. However, foreign residents of Thailand must complete it, selecting “Thailand” as their country of residence.
What happens if the TDAC system is down or unavailable?
If the system experiences technical difficulties, Thai immigration authorities will implement contingency measures at entry points. However, this would likely cause significant delays.
Do children need their own TDAC?
Yes, every foreign visitor regardless of age requires a separate TDAC, though parents/guardians can submit them as part of a group application.
Final Perspective: Embracing Thailand’s Digital Immigration Future
Thailand’s implementation of the Digital Arrival Card represents more than a mere procedural change—it signals the country’s commitment to modernising its tourism infrastructure to maintain competitiveness in Southeast Asia’s bustling travel market while simultaneously addressing sustainability concerns and security requirements.
For most international visitors who’ve endured Thailand’s traditional paper-based immigration systems for years, the TDAC should eventually translate to significantly shorter queues, faster processing times, and a more environmentally responsible approach to tourism management. The critical word is “eventually”—as with any substantial system overhaul, patience and preparation will be essential during the initial implementation phase.
Whether you’re planning a short beach holiday in Phuket, a cultural exploration of Chiang Mai’s temples, or a longer stay as a digital nomad in Bangkok, ensure the Thailand Digital Arrival Card is prominently featured on your pre-travel checklist if visiting after 1st May 2025. Your future self, breezing through Thai immigration while others scramble with paperwork, will certainly thank you for your foresight.
