The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is the free online arrival card that every foreign traveller must complete before entering Thailand, and the official site is tdac.immigration.go.th [1][2]. It replaced the paper TM.6 card on 1 May 2025 [3]. Submit it within the 3 days before you arrive, counting the arrival date [2].
Checked 13 November 2026.
What is the TDAC?
The TDAC is an online form where foreign travellers give their travel details before arriving in Thailand. The Immigration Bureau launched it on 1 May 2025 to replace the paper TM.6 arrival card, and completing it is mandatory for all foreign passport holders [3]. It is an arrival card, not a visa: the TDAC is used alongside every visa type, including visa-on-arrival and visa-exempt entries [2]. It is also separate from the TM.30 address notification and the 90-day report.
Is the TDAC free?
Yes. The official portal is titled "Official Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) – No Fees Required" [1]. If a website asks you to pay to submit a TDAC, it is either not the official site or a private service charging its own fee. A private service fee is not a government fee.
Who needs a TDAC?
- All foreigners entering Thailand by land, air or sea must submit a TDAC [2].
- Infants and children need a TDAC too [2].
- If you are transiting and do not pass through immigration, a TDAC is not required. If you leave the airport, you need one [2].
- Aircraft crew do not need a TDAC [2], and travellers entering with a Border Pass are also excepted [3].
When should you fill it in?
Within 3 days before you arrive, including the date of arrival [2]. The official FAQ also describes this as up to 72 hours before entry [2]. In practice, complete it before you board.
Each TDAC is valid for one arrival only, on the expected arrival date you entered [2], so you need a new one for every trip into Thailand. The system does not send reminders [2]. If something changes, most details can be updated with the "Update Arrival Card" function, but your full name, passport number, nationality and date of birth cannot be changed [2].
Where is the official TDAC site?
The official address is https://tdac.immigration.go.th [1][3]. The domain ends in immigration.go.th. Type it in or bookmark it rather than reaching it through an ad.
The official FAQ says agents or tour leaders can submit a TDAC for travellers who have authorised them and provided the correct information [2]. That is allowed, but check who you are paying and what for.
How to spot a fake TDAC site
These are practical checks from us, not official government rules:
- Check the domain. The official site is tdac.immigration.go.th. A different domain is not the Thai government, however official it looks.
- Check the price. The official portal says no fees are required [1]. A mandatory "processing fee" on a site presented as official is a red flag.
- Watch for pressure. "Urgent", "express" or "guaranteed" wording is a warning sign.
- Be careful with ads. Search ads can place look-alike sites above the official one.
- Pay only for what you understand. A private company offering to file for you should say clearly that it is a private service and show its own fee separately.
For the same checks on e-visa portals elsewhere in the region, see how to spot a fake e-visa website.
DTV holders: use a staffed immigration counter
If you enter on a Destination Thailand Visa, do not use the automatic e-gate, even if your TDAC confirmation email says you are eligible for automated border control. Queue at a staffed immigration counter and present your visa, so the officer stamps your passport with the DTV entry. Otherwise you may be given a visa-exempt stamp instead.
Do you still need a visa?
The TDAC does not replace a visa or a visa exemption. Check what applies to your passport in our guide to Thailand's visa exemption and visa on arrival rules. If you are planning a longer stay, such as on the DTV, the LTR or a retirement visa, we can check which visa fits you: book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TDAC a visa?
No. The TDAC is an arrival card, not permission to stay. You complete it whatever your entry route, including visa-exempt entry and visa on arrival.
Is the TDAC free?
Yes, on the official site, tdac.immigration.go.th. The portal is titled "No Fees Required". A site that charges you is a private service or not the official site.
How early can I submit the TDAC?
Within 3 days before you arrive in Thailand, including the arrival date. Each card covers one arrival, so submit a new one for every trip.
Do children need a TDAC?
Yes. The official FAQ says all travellers, including infants and children, must have a TDAC.
Can someone submit the TDAC for me?
Yes. The official FAQ says agents or tour leaders can submit a TDAC if you authorise them and the correct information is provided.
Does the TDAC replace the TM.30 or the 90-day report?
No. The TDAC replaced only the paper TM.6 arrival card. Address notification (TM.30) and 90-day reporting are separate. See the 90-day reporting rule and our TM30 and 90-day checklist.
References
- Official Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) – No Fees Required (tdac.immigration.go.th)
- TDAC frequently asked questions (tdac.immigration.go.th)
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card system set to launch on 1 May 2025 (tatnews.org, 4 April 2025)
