TDAC at a glance
- What it is: A free online arrival form for every foreign visitor to Thailand.
- Official website: tdac.immigration.go.th (the only one you need).
- Cost: Free. Any site that charges you is not the official portal.
- When to submit: Within 72 hours (3 days) before you arrive.
- Mandatory since: 1 May 2025, for arrivals by air, land and sea.
- What you get: A QR code and PDF by email. Save it and carry a copy.
If you have searched for “Thailand TDAC” recently, you may have noticed something odd. The first results are ads, and many of them look official. Some of them ask for money. The real form costs nothing.
That is why I wrote this guide. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is simple once you know where to go and what to type. But the internet around it is messy: scam sites, mixed-up dates, and advice that was out of date the day it was posted.Â
Here is everything in one place. Who needs it, when to file, how to fill each screen, what to do on layovers and land borders, and how to avoid the fake sites. I have kept it plain and practical, and I will tell you where rules are still shifting so you can double-check before you fly.
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is a free online form that foreign visitors must submit before entering Thailand. You enter your passport, flight and first-night accommodation details on the official Thai Immigration website, and you receive a QR code by email to show at immigration.
How it replaced the paper TM6
Before 2025, you filled in a paper card called the TM6, usually on the plane, using a borrowed pen and a lot of guessing. The TDAC replaced it on 1 May 2025. The information is almost the same: who you are, how you are arriving, and where you are staying. The big difference is timing. You now do it before you travel, so Immigration already has your details when you reach the counter.
One correction, because it confuses people: some websites say the TDAC started in May 2026. It did not. It has been mandatory since 1 May 2025. If an article gets that basic fact wrong, I would be careful about trusting the rest of it.
What the TDAC is not
It is not a visa. It does not give you permission to enter Thailand, and it does not decide how long you can stay. That is still the immigration officer’s decision at the counter, based on your passport and the entry scheme you qualify for. Think of the TDAC as paperwork that travels with your entry, not the entry itself.
The form is run by the Thai Immigration Bureau, and the official portal is at tdac.immigration.go.th. A Thai law firm, Tilleke & Gibbins, published a useful summary of the legal background when it launched.
Who Needs a TDAC (and Who Doesn't)?
Every non-Thai traveler entering Thailand by air, land or sea needs a TDAC, including children and infants. The main exceptions are transit passengers who do not pass through Thai immigration, border pass holders, and airline crew.
Everyone arriving, whatever your passport
Being visa-free does not mean being TDAC-free. A tourist from India, the US, the UK or Australia still needs one. So does someone arriving on a long-stay visa. If you are a foreign passport holder arriving in Thailand and you are going to clear immigration, plan to file.
Children and infants
Kids need their own TDAC. There is no “family” shortcut that I could confirm on the official site, so file one submission per person. If you are traveling with a baby, do not skip it because the baby has no say in the matter. Immigration does not make an exception for age.
Who is exempt
- Transit passengers who stay in the international transit area and never clear Thai immigration.
- Border pass holders who use the pass for local crossings.
- Airline operating crew.
- Thai nationals, of course.
If you hold an Indian passport
Indian travelers are on Thailand’s visa-exempt list, so you can enter for tourism without a visa. But there is a recent change you should know about. From 15 September 2026, the visa-free stay is 30 days, down from 60, for 60 countries and territories including India. The new rules were published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026. People who entered before that date can stay for the period they were originally given, and the Thai Embassy in New Delhi has confirmed this for Indian passport holders.
This change is separate from the TDAC. You still file the TDAC either way. But if you plan a long trip, the 30-day limit matters more than the form does.
TDAC vs TM6 vs Visa vs e-Visa: What's the Difference?
The TDAC is an arrival declaration. The TM6 was its paper predecessor. A visa exemption or a visa is the actual permission to enter. You need the TDAC plus whichever permission applies to you.
| Document | What it does | Who needs it | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| TDAC | Online arrival declaration | Every foreign visitor (with a few exceptions) | Free |
| TM6 | Old paper arrival card | Nobody, since 1 May 2025 | Free |
| Visa exemption | Lets eligible nationals enter without a visa for tourism | Passport holders of listed countries, up to 30 days from 15 Sept 2026 | Free |
| Visa / e-Visa | Permission to enter for longer stays or non-listed nationalities | Travelers who do not qualify for an exemption | Varies, check the official Thai e-Visa site |
The most common mix-up
“I’m visa-free, so I don’t need the TDAC.” That is the one I see most often in comment sections. The two things answer different questions. The visa exemption answers “may I enter?” The TDAC answers “who are you, and where are you going?” You need both answers on file.
When to Submit Your TDAC (Best Time to File)
Submit your TDAC no earlier than 72 hours (3 days) before your arrival date in Thailand. If you land on the 25th, you can file from the 22nd.
The 72-hour window, with an example
Say your flight lands in Bangkok on 25 November. The window opens on 22 November and stays open until you arrive. The portal’s date selector may not let you pick an arrival date that is more than three days away, so you cannot do it weeks in advance, no matter how organized you are.
The best moment to file
I would file once two things are final: your flight and your first-night accommodation. Those are the two fields most likely to change. If you file the moment the window opens, you are usually safe, and you still have time to fix anything.
Avoid filing at the airport gate. It can be done, but the Wi-Fi is bad, you will be tired, and a typo made in a rush is a typo you carry to the immigration desk.
Overnight flights and the right arrival date
This is where people slip. The arrival date is your landing date in Thailand, in Thai time, not the date you leave home. A late-night departure from Delhi, for instance, can land in Bangkok on the next calendar day. Check your boarding pass or airline app and use the date the plane actually touches down.
A quick note on the best time to visit Thailand
Since you are probably here because you are planning a trip, here is the short version. The cool, dry season runs roughly from November to February, and it is the most popular time. March to May is hot. The rainy season runs roughly from May to October, which means fewer crowds and lower prices, but also wetter days, especially on the Andaman coast. The weather varies by region, so check before you book islands.
How to Fill the TDAC: Step by Step
Go to tdac.immigration.go.th, choose “New Submission,” enter your passport, personal, trip and accommodation details, review everything, add your email and submit. Your TDAC arrives by email as a PDF with a QR code.
What to have ready
- Your passport, valid for at least six months from your arrival date
- Your flight number, arrival date and the airport or border you are coming from
- The name and full address of your first-night accommodation
- An email address you can actually open
- A phone number in international format, with the “+” and country code
The walkthrough
- Open the official site. Pick your language from the top right. Choose “Arrival Card,” then “New Submission.”
- Enter your passport details. Name exactly as printed on the passport, passport number with no spaces, nationality, date of birth, and the passport issue and expiry dates.
- Add personal details. This includes your occupation, country of residence and phone number.
- Add trip details. Arrival date, estimated arrival time, country you are coming from, mode of travel (air, land or sea), flight or vehicle number, and purpose of visit. For most travelers, that is “holiday” or “tourism.”
- Add your accommodation. See the tip below, because this is the step where most people get stuck.
- Health declaration. If you have been in a country with a yellow fever risk in the recent past, you may be asked to declare it.Â
- Review the summary. Check every field. If something is wrong, use “Edit.”
- Enter your email, accept the terms and submit.
The accommodation field, explained
Type the place you will sleep on your first night. A hotel, hostel, Airbnb or a friend’s home all work. The form wants a full Thai address, usually including sub-district, district, province and postal code. The easiest way: copy it from your booking confirmation, or from Google Maps, and paste it in. Do not type “Bangkok hotel” and hope for the best.
Phone and email
Use international format for the phone number, such as +91 followed by your number. Double-check your email address, because the QR code goes there. A typo in the email is one of the most common reasons people cannot find their TDAC later.
After you submit
You will get an email with your TDAC as a PDF and a QR code. Do three things right away: take a screenshot, save the PDF offline on your phone, and print one copy as backup. You may need it for airline check-in and you will need it at immigration. Phone batteries die at the worst times.
How to change something after submitting
Use “Update Arrival Card” on the official site. You can change things like your flight, arrival date and accommodation. You cannot change your name, nationality, passport number or date of birth. If one of those is wrong, file a brand new TDAC. Immigration uses the most recent submission.
If the form will not work
Sometimes the portal is slow, or the date field refuses what you type. Try these in order: refresh the page, switch browsers, use your phone instead of a laptop, and double-check you are not trying to file earlier than three days before your arrival. If the portal is simply down, wait a few hours and try again. Do not switch to a paid site out of frustration, because that is exactly what those sites are counting on.
TDAC Cost Guide: Free vs. What Scam Sites Charge
The TDAC is free on the official Thai Immigration website. Any site that charges you a fee for the standard submission is a third-party service, not the government.
| Item | Cost |
| TDAC on tdac.immigration.go.th | Free |
| Updating or resubmitting on the official site | Free |
| Printing a backup copy |
A few rupees or baht at most
|
The real cost of getting it wrong
The money is not the only cost. A wrong or missing TDAC can mean a delay at the immigration counter, or trouble at airline check-in, while you fix it on the spot. After a long flight, that is a miserable way to start a trip.
"But the paid site said it was official"
Many of them say exactly that. They copy the look of a government page, use official-style logos and add words like “priority” or “fast approval.” The fast approval is not real, because the official form has no queue to jump. The submission is instant and free.
TDAC Scams: How to Spot a Fake Site
The only official TDAC site is tdac.immigration.go.th. If the web address does not end in “go.th,” or if it asks for payment, close the tab.
Why scams rank so high
Paid ads appear at the very top of search results, above the free official link. The Thai Immigration Bureau has said publicly that at least 10% of foreign arrivals used fraudulent TDAC websites, according to a report from Khaosod English on 29 March 2026. Thaiger has also reported that some scam sites hide their company details, ignore refund policies, and in some cases never deliver the TDAC at all.
Red-flag checklist
- The address is not tdac.immigration.go.th.
- You are asked for a fee, a “service charge” or a credit card.
- The page promises “fast,” “priority” or “guaranteed” approval.
- There is no real company address, registration number or contact page.
- It shows a Thai flag or government logo but sits on a .com address.
- You reached it from an ad, not by typing or bookmarking the official address.
If you already paid
- Contact your card issuer or bank and ask about disputing the charge.
- Submit your own free TDAC on the official site, so you have a record you control. Immigration uses the latest submission.
- Keep screenshots and receipts in case you need to report it.
- Thailand’s Tourist Police run a hotline, 1155, for help once you are in the country.
Special Situations Most Guides Skip
The same rule applies at every entry point: if you will clear Thai immigration, you need a TDAC. How you fill it changes a little depending on how you arrive.
Layovers and transit
If you stay inside the international transit area and fly on without clearing Thai immigration, you do not need a TDAC. If you have to leave the transit area, for example to collect bags and re-check them on separate tickets, then you are entering Thailand. File the TDAC and make sure you qualify for entry.Â
Entering by land or sea
The TDAC is required at land and sea borders as well. Select the right mode of travel and enter the vehicle number if the form asks for it. If you are crossing from Cambodia, Laos or Malaysia, file within the same 72-hour window. Also note that reports say Thailand has introduced a limit on how often most nationalities can use land-border visa-free entries.
No accommodation booked yet
The form wants an address for your first night. Do not make one up. Book a refundable first night, which is easy to do online, and use that address. If your plans change, update the card afterwards.
Several cities or islands in one trip
Enter the place where you will stay when you first arrive. That is the address the form is asking for. You do not need to list every stop on a two-week itinerary.Â
Families and groups
Each traveler needs their own TDAC, children included. Put the details together before you start: passports, birthdates and the shared address. That saves a lot of repeated typing.
Coming back into Thailand on the same trip
A new TDAC is required for each entry into Thailand. If you pop over to Laos for a few days and fly back through Bangkok, file a fresh one for the return.
Proof of onward travel and funds
These are not part of the TDAC, but they come up at the same counter. Officers can ask to see a ticket out of Thailand within your permitted stay. Proof of funds is asked for less often, but it does happen. Keep your onward booking and some proof of money easy to find.
What Happens at Thai Immigration After You Submit
At the airport you join the immigration queue, hand over your passport, and show your TDAC QR code if the officer asks for it. The officer then checks your passport, takes your fingerprints and photo, and stamps your permitted stay.
The usual flow
After landing, you follow the signs to immigration. Foreign passport holders use the foreign visitor lanes. Have your passport open, your TDAC on your phone, and your onward ticket easy to reach. The officer scans or checks your details, may ask where you are staying and how long you plan to be in Thailand, and then stamps your passport.
Questions you might be asked
- How long are you staying?
- Where are you staying on your first night?
- What is the purpose of your visit?
- Do you have a ticket out of Thailand?
Most visitors are waved through in a couple of minutes. Having your answers match what you wrote in the TDAC makes the whole thing smoother.
Check your stamp
Before you leave the counter, look at the date on your stamp. It shows the last day you may stay. With the 30-day visa-free rule now in place for most nationalities, that date matters more than it used to. If the date looks wrong, politely ask about it right there, not three weeks later at the airport.
What if the QR code will not open?
This is why I keep a screenshot and a printout. If your email is slow or your phone is dead, the officer can usually look up your details, but you will save yourself time by having it ready. Do not count on airport Wi-Fi.
Pros and Cons of the TDAC System
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free on the official site | Scam sites crowd the search results |
| No more paper form on the plane | You must remember to do it before you fly |
| Can be updated after submission | Name, passport number, nationality and birthdate are locked |
| Immigration has your details early | The 72-hour window leaves little room for early planning |
| Takes about 10 minutes | Needs a working email, phone and a full Thai address |
My verdict: Good system, bad internet around it. If you use the official site and keep a copy of your QR code, it is a smaller hassle than the old paper card.
Common TDAC Mistakes to Avoid
1. Using a fake website
The biggest one. Type the address yourself, or bookmark it.
2. Name not matching the passport
Copy it exactly. Middle names, hyphens and spelling all matter. Since the name is locked after you submit, you would have to start over.
3. Wrong arrival date
Especially on overnight flights. Use the day you land in Thailand, not the day you leave home.
4. Incomplete address
A vague address is more likely to cause questions. Paste the full one from your booking.
5. Typo in the email
Your QR code goes there. A typo means you cannot find it, and you will have to start again.
6. Not saving the QR code
Take a screenshot and print a copy. Do not rely on airport Wi-Fi to open your email.
Pro Tips for a Smooth Arrival
- File two or three days before you fly, once your flight and first hotel are final.
- Save it three ways: screenshot, offline PDF and one printed copy.
- Search your email for “TDAC” or “arrival card” before leaving home, so you know it arrived.
- Check your airline’s app. Some airlines ask about the TDAC at check-in.
- Use “Update Arrival Card” if your flight or hotel changes.
- Have your onward ticket handy. It is the other thing an officer may ask for.
- Check the stamp. Before you walk away from the counter, confirm the date of your permitted stay.
Your 3-Day TDAC Checklist
If you like things in order, here is the simple version of everything above.
Before the window opens
- Book your flights and your first night of accommodation.
- Check that your passport is valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
- Bookmark tdac.immigration.go.th so you never need to search for it.
Day 3, 2 or 1 before arrival
- Fill in the TDAC on the official site, one per traveler.
- Double-check your name, passport number, arrival date and email.
- Screenshot the QR code, save the PDF offline and print one copy.
On the day you fly
- Have the TDAC, your passport and your onward ticket together in one place.
- If your flight or hotel changed, use “Update Arrival Card” before you leave.
- At immigration, check the date on your stamp.
Who Should Do What
The short version: file the TDAC yourself, on the official site, in the three days before you fly.
- First-time visitors: File two to three days out and keep a screenshot. That is all you need.
- Layover travelers: Check whether you will clear immigration. If not, you can skip it. If yes, file.
- Overland travelers: The same rule applies at the border. Give your border-crossing details.
- Families: One TDAC per person, kids included.
- Repeat or long-stay visitors: A new TDAC for every entry, and watch the new 30-day visa-free limit.
- Anyone tempted by a paid service: You do not need one.
