Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): How to File It Yourself
Since May 1, 2025, all foreign nationals must submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before arrival. It is free on the official site tdac.immigration.go.th. Checked September 29, 2026.
Data checked on September 29, 2026 and may have changed. Confirm on the official site before you travel.
Checked September 29, 2026 against Official TDAC portal · How we check
What is the TDAC and who must file it
The TDAC is Thailand's online arrival card. It replaced the paper TM6 immigration form. It is not a visa: you file it whether or not you need a visa, including when you enter under the visa exemption.
Every non-Thai national entering by air, land or sea must file one, including children and visa-exempt travellers, once per entry.
Not required for: Thai nationals; transit passengers who stay airside and do not pass immigration (if you leave the airport, you need a TDAC); aircraft crew.
You'll be asked for: Passport details, personal info (occupation, residence, phone, e-mail), arrival/departure dates, country boarded, purpose, mode of transport and flight/vehicle no., accommodation address in Thailand, health declaration (countries visited in last 2 weeks, yellow fever certificate if applicable, symptoms).
Step by step: how to file the TDAC yourself
- Open https://tdac.immigration.go.th within 3 days before arrival (arrival day counts).
- Enter passport details (can be scanned from the passport MRZ), personal info, occupation, residence, phone and e-mail.
- Enter trip info: arrival/departure dates, country where you boarded, purpose, mode of transport and flight/vehicle number.
- Enter accommodation in Thailand (type, province, district, address) and complete the health declaration.
- Add up to 10 travellers in one submission if travelling as a family/group.
- Check the preview and submit; the TDAC with QR code is sent to your e-mail — download it and show it on arrival.
- Need changes? Use 'Update Arrival Card' (name, passport number, nationality and date of birth cannot be changed — submit a new card instead).
Official portal: tdac.immigration.go.th (opens in a new tab). Submit it within 3 days before arrival.
Is it free? Avoiding paid look-alike sites
Search ads for “thailand digital arrival card” run at 200–250¢ per click (Ahrefs, 2026-09), mostly from paid filing services. The official form costs nothing. We link only to the government site. We never process the form on your behalf or charge a service fee.
Thailand's Immigration Bureau warns that the TDAC is free and should be filed only at tdac.immigration.go.th. Look-alike sites charge fees (reported at US$20–90) and collect personal data; in March 2026 the Bureau said at least 10% of foreign arrivals had used such sites (as reported by Khaosod English and Bangkok Post).
How to tell the official portal: check that the address is exactly tdac.immigration.go.th. Look-alike sites use similar names, ask for a “service fee” or “processing fee”, and often appear first in search ads.
TDAC vs Thailand visa: how they differ
| TDAC | Visa / visa exemption | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Arrival card with your trip details | Permission to enter and stay |
| Who needs it | All foreign nationals | Depends on your passport |
| Where | tdac.immigration.go.th | Thai e-visa portal or on entry |
US citizens: check whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and what to carry on our Thailand visa for US citizens page.
TDAC: FAQ
What is the TDAC?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is an online arrival form that replaced the paper TM6 card. It is not a visa. Every non-Thai national entering by air, land or sea must file one, including children and visa-exempt travellers, once per entry.
Do US citizens need the TDAC?
Yes. The TDAC applies to all foreign nationals, including US citizens entering visa-free. File it on tdac.immigration.go.th.
Is the Thailand arrival card free?
Yes, it is free on the official portal. Sites that charge a fee are third-party services, not the government.
When should I submit it before my flight?
Submit it within 3 days before arrival. Keep the confirmation on your phone for arrival.
Is TDAC the same as a Thailand visa?
No. The TDAC is an arrival card. Whether you need a visa depends on your passport; see our Thailand visa page for US citizens.
Sources and last checked
Every field is backed by its own source: first the official portal of the destination country (immigration service, e-visa portal), then travel.state.gov and the country's embassy. We recheck every 30 days. If more than 60 days have passed since the last check, the page shows a warning. When a source is silent, we say “no confirmed data” rather than guess.
| Field | Source | Source date | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start date | US Embassy in Thailand | — | September 29, 2026 |
| Who must file | Official TDAC portal | September 17, 2026 | September 29, 2026 |
| Submission window | Official TDAC portal | September 17, 2026 | September 29, 2026 |
| Official portal | Official TDAC portal | September 17, 2026 | September 29, 2026 |
| Cost | Official TDAC portal | — | September 29, 2026 |
This page is for reference only. Entry rules can change without notice, and the border officer has final discretion. Always confirm current requirements on the official government site before you travel.
