A traveller looking at an island from a viewpoint.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) – what travellers need to know before landing

Travelling to Thailand just got a digital upgrade. As of May 1, 2025, the country has officially replaced its old paper-based TM6 immigration form with the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) – a new online system designed to make entry faster, smoother, and more secure. Whether you’re planning a beach getaway, a temple-hopping adventure, or a street food safari, here’s everything you need to know about completing the TDAC before you arrive.

What is the TDAC?

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is an online entry form that all non-Thai nationals must complete before entering the country. It’s mandatory whether you’re arriving by air, land, or sea – and it’s free. The new system is part of a broader push to digitise and streamline Thailand’s border control processes, making it easier for travellers and immigration officers alike.

Once completed, the system issues a QR code that you’ll need to show to immigration authorities on arrival.

Who needs to complete it?

If you’re not a Thai citizen, you’ll almost certainly need to fill it in. That includes:

  • Tourists arriving by air, land, or sea
  • Business travellers
  • Visa-exempt visitors and those with a visa

You don’t need to complete the TDAC if:

  • You’re a transit passenger staying airside
  • You’re entering with a local border pass at designated land crossings

How to fill it in

The whole process takes less than 10 minutes. You’ll need:

  • Your passport and travel details
  • Your accommodation address in Thailand
  • Your recent travel history (countries visited in the last 14 days)

Just head to tdac.immigration.go.th, follow the prompts, and you’re good to go. The site is available in English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Russian.

You can complete the form up to 72 hours before you arrive. Don’t leave it to the last minute – airlines may ask to see the confirmation before letting you board.

What happens when you arrive?

Once you land in Thailand, simply show your TDAC QR code to immigration officers along with your passport. That’s it. No more scribbling on forms in the middle seat. No more digging for pens.

Why the change?

The digital form is part of Thailand’s broader effort to modernise travel infrastructure and make tourism more efficient. It allows immigration to:

  • Speed up processing times
  • Improve health and safety screening
  • Integrate biometric data for better border management

It also means fewer trees cut down for paper forms—so it’s a win all around.

Important reminders

  • It’s not a visa. The TDAC doesn’t replace any visa requirements—you still need a valid visa or meet the criteria for visa exemption.
  • There’s no fee. If a website tries to charge you, you’re in the wrong place.
  • Keep the QR code handy—screenshot it or print it just in case.

One last thing

Travelling to Thailand has always been easy. Now, it’s just a little bit smarter too. With the TDAC, you’ll spend less time queuing and more time doing what you came for – whether that’s diving into Bangkok’s street food scene or kicking back on the queer-friendly shores of Phuket. Just don’t forget to fill in the form before you fly.