Planning a trip to Thailand in 2026? Since May 1, 2025, non-Thai travelers must complete the TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) before entering the country. This digital arrival card replaces the old paper arrival form.
Updated on June 16, 2026: the TDAC must be submitted within 3 days before your arrival in Thailand, including your arrival date. The process is free on the official Thai Immigration website, or via the official THIM app. If in doubt, always use the official TDAC portal.
TDAC Thailand: what you need to know before you travel
- The TDAC has been mandatory since May 1, 2025 for non-Thai travelers entering Thailand.
- It applies to arrivals by air, land and sea.
- It must be submitted within 3 days before your arrival in Thailand, including the arrival date.
- The process is 100% free on the official website: tdac.immigration.go.th.
- It can also be completed via the official THIM app from the Thai Immigration Bureau.
- The TDAC does not replace a visa. If your stay requires a visa, you still need to apply for it separately.
- A new TDAC is required for each entry into Thailand.
- Children and infants also need a TDAC.
How to complete the TDAC in 5 minutes
The process is simple if you prepare your information in advance. In most cases, the form only takes a few minutes per person. Here is how to complete your Thailand Digital Arrival Card without mistakes.
Step 1: Prepare your documents and information
Before starting, make sure you have your passport, travel details and accommodation address ready. It is best to gather everything first, as the system does not always allow you to save your progress and return later.
- Your valid passport.
- Your arrival date in Thailand.
- Your mode of arrival: air, land or sea.
- Your flight number, or equivalent transport information if arriving by land or sea.
- Your port of entry in Thailand, such as the airport, land border checkpoint or port of arrival.
- The full address of your first accommodation in Thailand: hotel, apartment, private residence, etc.
- A valid email address to receive your TDAC confirmation.
- Information about the countries visited within the 14 days before arrival, if requested in the health declaration section.
Step 2: Use the official website and avoid scams
Important: the official website to complete the TDAC for free is tdac.immigration.go.th. The process is 100% free. Many unofficial websites try to charge travelers for a form that can be submitted directly through the official portal.
To avoid scams, always check that the website address begins with https://tdac.immigration.go.th/. Do not enter personal or payment information on a suspicious website. For more travel safety advice, read our full guide on Thailand scams to avoid in 2026.
Step 3: Fill in the online form
On the official website, click Arrival Card and follow the instructions. All details must be entered in English. The main information requested includes:
- Personal information: full name, nationality, passport number and date of birth.
- Travel information: arrival date, mode of transport, flight number or equivalent transport details, and port of entry in Thailand.
- Purpose of travel: tourism, business, family visit, transit with immigration clearance, etc.
- Accommodation: address of your first hotel, apartment or residence in Thailand.
- Health declaration: a short health-related section, including countries visited before arrival when required.
- Email address: used to receive your TDAC confirmation.
⚠️ Important tip: carefully check your full name, date of birth, nationality and passport number before submitting the form. After submission, some details can be corrected through the Update Arrival Card option on the official website. However, if the mistake concerns your full name, passport number, nationality or date of birth, you should submit a new form with the correct information.
Step 4: Download and save your QR code
Once the form is submitted, you can download your TDAC confirmation and should normally receive an email containing your QR code. This QR code may be requested at immigration together with your passport.
You do not have to print your TDAC, but it is strongly recommended to keep an offline copy: screenshot, PDF file on your phone, or a printed copy as a backup. To make sure you can access your emails and documents as soon as you land, you may also want to check our guide on the best eSIMs for Thailand.
Can you submit one TDAC for several travelers?
Yes. The official website allows both individual submission and group submission. This is useful if you are traveling as a family, couple or group.
Group submission allows up to 10 travelers in one application. Each traveler must still have accurate individual details, including name, passport number, nationality, date of birth and travel information.
THIM app: an official alternative for completing the TDAC
In addition to the official website, Thai Immigration also offers the THIM app (Thai Immigration Bureau). This official app allows travelers to prepare and submit arrival information directly from a smartphone, with a guided step-by-step process.
The app can be useful if you prefer completing the process on mobile, especially if you travel to Thailand often or want to manage your trip details from an app.
You can download the official app here:
That said, the simplest and safest option remains the official TDAC website: tdac.immigration.go.th. It is free, does not require installing an app, and remains the reference option if you have any doubt.
Tip: if you use THIM, download only the official app published by the Thai Immigration Bureau / Royal Thai Police from Google Play or the App Store. Avoid links sent by message, sponsored ads or apps that ask you to pay to submit the TDAC.
Official TDAC tutorial video
The Thai Immigration Bureau has published an official video in English explaining how the TDAC system works. It can be helpful if you prefer to see the steps before filling out the form.
FAQ: Thailand Digital Arrival Card
When should I submit the TDAC?
You must submit the TDAC within 3 days before your arrival in Thailand, including the arrival date. For example, if you arrive in Thailand on July 10, you can normally submit your TDAC from July 8.
Do not submit it too early. Some airlines may also ask for confirmation before boarding.
Is the TDAC free?
Yes. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is free when submitted through the official Thai Immigration website: tdac.immigration.go.th.
If a website asks you to pay for a TDAC, be very careful. It may be a third-party service or an unofficial website.
Can I complete the TDAC with the THIM app?
Yes. The official THIM app from the Thai Immigration Bureau can also be used to prepare and submit arrival information from a smartphone.
However, if you are unsure, use the official TDAC website directly. It is the simplest option to recommend because it does not require installing an app.
What happens if I do not complete the TDAC?
If you arrive without having submitted the TDAC, you may face delays at the airport or border checkpoint. In some cases, your airline may also ask for proof of submission before boarding.
To avoid unnecessary stress, complete the form before departure, within the official 3-day window before your arrival in Thailand.
Who needs to submit the TDAC?
The TDAC applies to non-Thai travelers entering Thailand by air, land or sea. This includes tourists, business travelers, foreign residents and people entering with a visa or visa exemption.
Thai citizens do not need to submit a TDAC. Transit passengers who do not pass through immigration are not required to submit one. Crew members and people entering with a Border Pass may also be exempt.
Do children need a TDAC?
Yes. Children and infants also need a TDAC if they enter Thailand. A parent or guardian can complete the form on their behalf.
Do I need a TDAC if I arrive by land or sea?
Yes. The TDAC is not only for air arrivals. Non-Thai travelers entering Thailand through a land border checkpoint or by sea must also submit one.
Do I still need a TDAC if I have a visa?
Yes. The TDAC is separate from your visa. Whether you enter Thailand with a tourist visa, business visa, long-stay visa, visa on arrival or visa exemption, you still need to complete the TDAC if you are a non-Thai traveler.
Does the TDAC replace a visa?
No. The TDAC is not a visa. It is an arrival formality. If your nationality or length of stay requires a visa, you must still apply for it separately.
For stays under the visa-exemption system, check our guide to the Thailand visa exemption rules.
Is the TDAC valid for multiple entries?
No. The TDAC is linked to one specific entry into Thailand. If you leave Thailand and return later, you must submit a new TDAC for your next arrival.
Do I need to print the TDAC QR code?
No, printing is not mandatory. You can show the QR code on your phone or another device. However, keeping an offline copy or a printed backup is a good idea.
What if I enter incorrect information?
After submission, some details can be updated through the Update Arrival Card option on the official website. However, if the mistake concerns your full name, passport number, nationality or date of birth, you should submit a new form with the correct information.
Before submitting, always review your details carefully and make sure they match your passport exactly.
What if I do not have internet access on arrival?
It is strongly recommended to complete the TDAC before departure and save your QR code offline. If you have a problem on arrival, some entry points may provide kiosks or Wi-Fi access, but this can cause delays.
To avoid problems, keep a screenshot or PDF copy of your TDAC on your phone.
Can I save the form and finish it later?
No. It is better to prepare all your information first and complete the submission in one go.
TDAC departure day essentials
- 📱 TDAC QR code saved on your phone or printed as a backup
- 🛂 Passport valid and matching your TDAC information
- 🏨 Thai address ready: hotel, residence or first accommodation
- ✅ Boarding pass and airline confirmation ready
- 🧾 Visa documents, if applicable
- 📄 Travel insurance details, if required for your trip
- 🚫 No e-cigarettes or vapes in your luggage — check Thailand’s strict vaping rules
✅ Don’t forget travel insurance
The TDAC is required to enter Thailand, but it does not cover medical expenses, accidents or unexpected travel problems. Before you leave, it is also worth checking that you have suitable travel insurance for Thailand.
What are the advantages of the TDAC system?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is part of Thailand’s effort to modernize entry procedures. It helps reduce paper forms, centralize arrival information before travelers reach the border, and support a smoother immigration process.
For travelers, the main benefit is that you can prepare the formalities before departure, as long as you respect the official 3-day submission window before arrival.
Get your TDAC ready before entering Thailand
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card, or TDAC, is now an essential formality for non-Thai travelers entering the country. It must be completed within 3 days before your arrival in Thailand, either on the official Thai Immigration website or through the official THIM app.
The process is free, quick and separate from any visa requirement. Before you travel, save your QR code offline and check that all details match your passport exactly.
For more practical updates before your trip, read our guide to the current situation in Thailand.
🔄 Last updated on June 16, 2026
