If you’re flying to Thailand, there’s one form you need to sort out before you land: the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, usually shortened to TDAC. It replaced the old paper TM6 slip that people used to scribble on during the flight, and it is now required for almost every foreign visitor.
Here’s the short version. It’s free. It takes about five to ten minutes. You do it online, from your phone or laptop. And you do it no earlier than three days before you arrive.
The part that trips people up is not the form itself. It’s finding the right website. Search results are packed with lookalike sites that charge anywhere from $10 to $100 for something that costs nothing. This guide walks you through the real process, the timing rules, the mistakes that cause headaches at the airport, and the newest change to the system that most guides haven’t caught up with yet.
TDAC at a Glance
| What it is | Thailand’s online arrival form, replacing the paper TM6 |
| Mandatory since | 1 May 2025 |
| Cost | Free on the official site |
| When to submit | Within 72 hours (3 days) before arrival, arrival day included |
| Official website | tdac.immigration.go.th (always check for the .go.th ending) |
| Is it a visa? | No. It’s a declaration, not permission to enter |
The TDAC is an online form that collects the information Thai immigration used to get from the paper TM6 card: who you are, where you’re coming from, how you’re arriving, and where you’ll be staying. Instead of handing a slip to an officer, you fill it in before your trip and receive a confirmation email with a QR code.
Thailand made it compulsory on 1 May 2025. The stated goals are faster processing at the border, less paperwork, and better border security. In practice, it also means fewer people standing in the arrivals hall trying to remember their hotel address while a queue builds behind them.
TDAC vs the old TM6 paper form
If you’ve been to Thailand before 2025, you’ll remember the TM6: a small paper card handed out on the plane or at the airport, with a stapled stub that went into your passport. The TDAC does the same job digitally. The big differences are that you do it in advance, you do it online, and you must do it again for every trip.
The TDAC is not a visa
This is the most common confusion, so let me say it plainly. The TDAC does not give you the right to enter Thailand and it does not extend your stay. Whatever you needed before (visa-free entry under your nationality’s exemption, a tourist visa, a Destination Thailand Visa, and so on) is still exactly what you need now. The TDAC is an extra step on top.
Who Needs a TDAC (and Who Doesn't)
The rule is simple: almost every non-Thai traveler entering Thailand needs one. That covers people arriving by air, by land and by sea.
Arrivals by air, land and sea
It doesn’t matter whether you’re landing at Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, or driving across a land border from Malaysia, Laos or Cambodia. If you’re entering the country, the card applies. Cruise and boat arrivals are covered too.
Transit passengers
If you’re just changing planes and staying airside, so you never pass through Thai immigration, you generally don’t need a TDAC. The moment you plan to leave the airport, even for a night in Bangkok on a long layover, you need one.
Families, groups and children
Every traveler needs to be covered, including kids. The portal lets you submit for a group, which is a big time-saver for families because you don’t have to repeat shared details like your accommodation and flight. Have every passport in front of you before you start.
Does your passport matter?
Your nationality changes what you need for entry (visa or visa exemption), but it doesn’t change whether you need a TDAC. A US, UK, Indian, Australian or any other passport holder entering Thailand is expected to file one. If you’re comparing how different Asian countries handle arrival cards, I also put together guides on the India e-Arrival Card and the Philippines e-Arrival process, and you’ll notice each country has its own timing rules.
When to Submit: The 72-Hour Window Explained
This is where most mistakes happen, so slow down here.
You can submit the TDAC up to three days (72 hours) before your arrival date in Thailand, and that includes the day you land. For example, if you land on May 5, the earliest you can submit is May 2. The window is based on when you reach the Thai border, not when you leave your home country.
What if you submit too early?
Thai authorities have repeated that the form must be completed within 72 hours or less before arrival, not more. If you do it a week in advance because you’re an organized person, you may need to redo it. It’s a strange rule for someone who likes to tick things off early, but that’s how it works.
What about long flights and multi-leg journeys?
Count from your arrival in Thailand. If you’re flying from Delhi, London or New York and landing a day later because of time zones, use the date you’ll actually reach Thailand. If your connection is long, you can submit during the layover.
Can you do it at the last minute?
One Thai embassy page notes that the form can be completed right up until you go through immigration. I wouldn’t gamble on that. Airlines may want to see your confirmation at check-in, airport Wi-Fi can be slow, and it’s much less stressful to do it at home. My rule: do it the day before, or the morning of your flight.
How to Fill Out the TDAC, Step by Step
The whole process takes about five to ten minutes on a laptop. On a phone it’s a bit slower because of the small screen. Before you start, gather the following.
What to have ready
- Your passport (name, number, nationality, date of birth, expiry date)
- Your flight details (arrival date, airline and flight number; for land or sea arrivals, the border point or vessel)
- Where you’re staying in Thailand (hotel name and address, or the address of the friend or host you’ll stay with)
- Your contact details (an email address you can open easily and a phone number)
- Your recent travel history (countries you visited in the 14 days before arriving)
- Your occupation and purpose of visit
The step-by-step walkthrough
- Open the official website. Type tdac.immigration.go.th directly into your browser, or scan the official QR code on a Thai government or embassy page. Don’t click ads.
- Tap “Arrival Card.” You’ll be asked whether you’re submitting for yourself or as part of a group.
- Enter your passport details. You can type them or scan the machine-readable zone at the bottom of your passport page to auto-fill. Double-check every letter and digit, because personal details are the hardest thing to fix after submission.
- Fill in your personal information. This includes occupation, nationality and your contact details.
- Enter your trip details. Arrival date, airport or border crossing, flight number, and purpose of visit.
- Add your accommodation. Hotel name and address. If you’re staying with a friend, use their address.
- List the countries you visited in the previous 14 days. Be honest. If a health declaration is requested for your route, answer it truthfully.
- Review everything and submit. Look at the passport number twice. Then submit.
- Check your email. A confirmation with a QR code should arrive. Save it right away.
Group submissions for families and friends
If you’re travelling together, choose the group option. It cuts the work substantially because the arrival date, flight and accommodation only have to be entered once. You’ll still enter each person’s passport details.
Browser or the THIM app?
You can use the official website in any mobile or desktop browser, or the official THIM app. Both lead to the same system. I find a laptop easiest for typing passport details, but a phone works fine if you’re doing it on the way to the airport.
What to enter if you’re staying with a friend, on a boat, or haven’t booked yet
The form asks for an address in Thailand. If you’re staying with a friend, enter their full address. If you have your first night booked but nothing after that, enter the place you’ll be sleeping on arrival day. A short, accurate answer is better than a vague one.
Field-by-field questions people get stuck on
Occupation: Enter what you actually do. “Self-employed” or your real job title is fine. Don’t make up something that sounds more impressive.
Purpose of visit: Pick the option that matches your trip, usually tourism or holiday. If you’re visiting family or attending an event, choose the closest match.
Flight number: Use the number on your boarding pass or e-ticket for the flight that lands in Thailand, not the first leg of a long itinerary. Budget airlines and codeshares sometimes show two numbers, so use the operating flight if you can tell which is which.
Phone number: Include your country code. Use a number you can still be reached on while travelling.
Departure date: If you haven’t booked a flight out yet, enter the date you realistically expect to leave and keep it within the stay you’re allowed.
Using saved information on return trips
If you’ve submitted before, the system lets repeat visitors reuse previously saved information, as long as your passport details haven’t changed. It still counts as a fresh submission each time you enter.
After You Submit: QR Code, Email and Auto Border Control
Once you submit, the system emails you a confirmation containing your digital arrival card with a QR code. This is your proof.
What to do with the confirmation
- Take a screenshot so you can open it offline.
- Keep the email in a folder you can find quickly.
- Print a copy if you like having a backup. Screenshots and email confirmations are generally accepted, so printing is optional, but a paper copy helps if your phone dies.
The newest change: Auto Border Control eligibility
This is the update most guides haven’t picked up yet. In October 2026, Thailand released TDAC version 2026.10.00. After you submit or update your card, the confirmation email now tells you whether you can use the Auto Border Control (ABC) e-gates at immigration.
| What the email says | What it means |
|---|---|
| “AUTOMATED BORDER CONTROL – ELIGIBLE” (shown in green) | You can use the automated e-gate |
| “IMMIGRATION COUNTER – MANUAL PROCESSING” | Go to the regular immigration counter |
A word of caution. Early reports from the e-gates, which opened to a limited list of nationalities in late September 2026, suggest the gates are intended for visa-exempt travelers who have visited Thailand before. Travelers entering on a visa, or with a re-entry permit, have been told to use the staffed counters. Some people with visas have reported seeing the green “eligible” wording on their email anyway, and the gate screen then asked them to confirm a visa-free entry.
If you hold a visa, don’t confirm a visa-free entry at the gate just because the machine asked. A wrong entry record could cause problems with your permitted stay later. If you’re unsure, take the manual counter. It’s a few extra minutes and removes the risk.
This area is still moving, so check the official TDAC manual shortly before your trip.
Can you change details after submitting?
Travelers report that trip details like flight number or accommodation can be updated through the portal, while passport-based personal details usually can’t be edited and need a fresh submission if they’re wrong. Rules can change between releases, so open the “update” option on the official site rather than relying on a blog post, including this one.
TDAC Cost Guide: What's Free, What Isn't
This section is short because the headline is simple.
The official price: zero
The TDAC costs nothing on the official government portal. If a site asks for a “processing fee,” “service fee” or “express fee,” you are not on the official site.
The scam sites
Thai authorities have warned about fake sites that charge between roughly $10 and $100 for TDAC “processing,” and at least one has been blocked after investigation. Different sources quote different ranges, but the pattern is the same: you pay for something free, and some of these sites also collect your passport data.
How to avoid them:
- Type tdac.immigration.go.th yourself rather than searching.
- Check the domain ends with .go.th.
- Be wary of sponsored search ads at the top of results.
- Don’t pay anyone who says the card is “urgent.”
The real costs around your arrival
The TDAC itself is free, but a few related costs are worth planning for.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| TDAC (official) | Free |
| Fake “assistance” sites | $10 to $100 (avoid) |
| Printing a backup copy | A few baht at a print shop, or free at home |
| Mobile data or eSIM to reach your email at the airport | Varies; load your confirmation before you fly |
| Tourist visa (if you don’t qualify for visa exemption) | Set by the Thai embassy; check the current fee |
| Overstay fines | Charged per day |
Best Time to Visit Thailand (and Why It Affects Your Arrival)
The TDAC works the same all year, but the season changes how your arrival feels.
Peak season: November to February
This is the cool, dry period, and it’s when Thailand is busiest. Airports are crowded, immigration halls fill up, and every little delay costs more time. Submitting your TDAC early in the 72-hour window and having your QR code ready can make a real difference, because the last thing you want is to be hunting for your confirmation email in a slow queue.
Hot season: March to May
It gets very hot, especially in the north, and the crowds thin out a little. Arrivals are usually calmer, though April’s Songkran festival can bring heavy travel.
Rainy season: roughly June to October
You’ll see heavy showers, cheaper rooms and fewer tourists. Storms can delay flights, which matters for the TDAC because your arrival date might shift. If your flight lands a day late, check whether the date on your card still matches. Early November 2026, for example, saw heavy rain and thunderstorms across parts of the country.
TDAC Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Common TDAC Mistakes to Avoid
These are the errors that come up again and again.
1. Using a lookalike paid website
This is the big one. If you’re asked to pay, stop. Go back and type the official address manually.
2. Submitting outside the 72-hour window
Too early and the form may not be valid. Count back three days from your arrival date and don’t go earlier.
3. Typos in your passport details
One wrong digit in the passport number or a missing middle name can mean a mismatch at the border. Copy details straight from your passport, or use the scanning option, and re-read before you submit.
4. Wrong flight or arrival date
If your itinerary changes, update the card. A card showing the wrong flight is the kind of small inconsistency that slows you down.
5. Not saving the QR code
Don’t leave it in your inbox hoping to find it at the airport. Screenshot it. Airport Wi-Fi is unreliable and roaming data is expensive.
6. Confirming “visa exemption” when you hold a visa
If you enter through the e-gates and the screen asks you to confirm a visa-free entry, but you actually hold a visa, don’t accept it. Go to the staffed counter instead.
7. Assuming transit means no card, then leaving the airport
Staying airside is fine. Deciding to pop out for dinner during a long layover means you’ll need a TDAC first.
What if the site is down or the email doesn’t arrive?
First, check your spam and promotions folders and make sure you typed your email correctly. Wait a little and try again, because high-traffic periods can slow the system. If it still doesn’t work, use the official site’s help section rather than a third party. Keep screenshots of each completed screen as a record.
Pro Tips for a Smooth Thailand Arrival
- Bookmark the official URL on your phone so you never have to search for it.
- Do it the day before you fly, or the morning of departure, when your details are fresh.
- Screenshot everything, including the QR code and the ABC status line.
- Match the passport exactly, including spelling and middle names.
- Keep your hotel address handy in English, and ideally a screenshot of the booking confirmation.
- Have a return or onward plan ready. Immigration officers may ask about your plans.Â
- Carry a backup: a printed copy and a power bank.
- Don’t confirm anything on an e-gate you don’t understand. The manual counter is always available.
- Check the stay length you’re allowed before you fly, since the rules have changed.
Your Arrival-Day Checklist
When you’re tired after a long flight, you don’t want to be solving puzzles. Run through this list before you leave home and again before you board.
The night before you fly
- Confirm your arrival date in Thailand and count back three days to make sure you’re inside the window.
- Submit the TDAC on the official site, or check that your existing one still matches your flight.
- Open the confirmation email and make sure the name, passport number and flight number are correct.
- Screenshot the QR code and the line about Auto Border Control.
- Save a copy to your phone’s photo gallery, not just your inbox.
At the departure airport
- Keep your passport, boarding pass and TDAC screenshot together.
- If the airline staff ask for proof of onward travel or your TDAC, you’ll have it ready.
- Charge your phone, or pack a power bank, before the flight.
When you land in Thailand
- Check your confirmation: does it say e-gate eligible or manual processing?
- If you hold a visa or a re-entry permit, head for the staffed counter.
- Have your accommodation address and a rough plan for your stay ready in case the officer asks.
- Be polite, be calm and answer simply. Most arrivals are quick when the paperwork is in order.
Is Your Data Safe? A Quick Word on Privacy
The TDAC asks for passport details, contact information and travel history, so it’s fair to ask where that data goes. On the official portal, it goes to the Thai Immigration Bureau. That’s the whole point of the system.
The risk is with the lookalike sites. A fake site doesn’t only take your money. It also collects your passport number, date of birth, email and phone number, and it may do nothing useful with them. That’s one more reason to type the address yourself, check the .go.th ending, and avoid following links from social media comments, forums or random chat groups. Even helpful strangers sometimes post the wrong link. Take thirty seconds to verify the address yourself.
A few more small habits help:
- Don’t share a screenshot of your QR code publicly. It contains personal information.
- Use an email address you control and check regularly.
- Avoid doing it on public computers where your session might stay open.
Who Should Do What
Here’s a quick decision guide, depending on how you’re travelling.
| If you’re… | Do this |
|---|---|
| A first-time visitor flying in | Submit the day before. Screenshot the QR code. Use the regular counter if unsure about e-gates. |
| Crossing a land border | Submit before you reach the border, as a signal can be patchy there. Check current border conditions first. |
| Travelling with family | Use group submission and gather all passports first. |
| On a visa or long-stay permit | Use the staffed counter, even if the e-gate email says eligible. |
| A repeat visitor | Reuse saved info if your passport hasn’t changed, but still verify every field. |
| On a long layover in Bangkok | Submit before you leave the airport. If you’re staying airside, you can skip it. |
