How to Complete Thailand’s Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) as a Tourist

This guide shows you how to fill out Thailand’s new Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) which is a must-do before your trip.

If you’ve been to Thailand before, you probably remember that little blue-and-white paper form, the TM6 card, that you had to fill out before going through immigration. I’ve had to fill it out on every trip since my first visit back in 2010, up until the country opened up after Covid lockdown.

My handwriting isn’t exactly neat, and those tiny boxes were never enough space to cram in all the details like flight numbers, passport info, where you’re staying, and so on.

I always felt like I was filling out a school exam at the worst possible moment.

One time, my wife had just moved to a different apartment in the same complex, and I hadn’t memorized the new address yet. I wrote “staying with my wife” on the TM6 form, thinking that would be enough. It wasn’t. The immigration officer flat-out refused it.

I ended up calling my wife and handing over my phone so they could sort it out between them right there at the counter. Not my finest travel moment.

Thankfully, things are changing.

Thailand has rolled out a digital version of the arrival card, officially called the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). It’s meant to make things easier and speed up the process at immigration.

But if it’s your first time using it, the steps might not be totally clear.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how the TDAC works, what info you need to prepare, and how to fill it out. Whether it’s your first time visiting Thailand or your tenth, this guide will help you arrive with peace of mind and avoid the kind of awkward situation I found myself in.

Understanding the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

For the longest time, Thailand wants to modernize their immigration process through things like passport control and processing those things digital.

I was even surprised that I didn’t even have to fill in a TM6 form after their borders opened up in the Covid era. But now they’re implementing it again, in digital form.

What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is an electronic version of the traditional paper arrival card (TM6). It’s designed to collect personal information from travelers before they arrive in Thailand.

And everyone who visits Thailand from the 1st of May this year (2025) will have to fill this in before going through passport control.

Why Thailand is Implementing the Digital System

Thailand is adopting the digital system to improve security, reduce paperwork, and improve the overall travel experience.

By collecting information in advance, authorities can better manage arrivals and ensure a faster process for travelers.

When the New TDAC System Takes Effect

The TDAC system will be mandatory starting May 1, 2025.

Travelers must complete the TDAC online no more than three days prior to their scheduled arrival. This allows sufficient time for processing and verification.

There are also terminals available at Thailand airports where you can fill this in, but I would recommend doing this at home already. It can save you a lot of time when you arrive.

Who Needs to Complete a Thailand Digital Arrival Card

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card requirement applies to a wide range of travelers, with some exceptions.

Generally, all non-Thai nationals entering the Kingdom of Thailand are required to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online prior to entry.

Travelers Required to Submit the TDAC

Most international travelers will need to fill out the Digital Arrival Card, regardless of their nationality or whether they’re entering on a visa or visa-free (visa exempt). This includes tourists, business travelers, and transit passengers.

Exemptions and Special Cases

There are some exceptions to the TDAC requirement. For instance,

• Thai nationals returning home are exempt, as they use their Thai ID cards or passports for immigration.
• Some diplomatic passport holders may have special arrangements, though most still need to complete the TDAC.
• Airline crew members and emergency medical evacuations have different procedures, but they should still complete the TDAC when possible.
• Travelers with disabilities can get assistance through official support channels.

When and Where to Submit Your Thailand Digital Arrival Card

You can fill in your digital arrival card at the earliest, 3 days before you arrive in Thailand.

For example, if you would arrive in Bangkok on Saturday, the 28th of June 2025, you can fill in your digital arrival card from the 25th of June up until you arrive in Bangkok. I’d recommend doing it as soon as you can in care something is not working. This will save you a lot of potential stress.

Where to Find the Official TDAC Submission Portal

The official portal for submitting your Thailand Digital Arrival Card is designed to be user-friendly. Simply visit the website, click the “Arrival Card” button, and follow the prompts to enter your information, including personal details, travel information, and health status. You’ll receive your TDAC via email after submission.

And you can file for the digital arrival car by visiting the official TDAC website.

What to do If You Submitted Wrong Information

When you finished filing the TDAC and find out you’ve made a mistake, there’s the option on the TDAC website to update your information.

Keep in mind though that this is limited to certain information. Your personal information like:

• Full Name (as it appears in passport)
• Passport Number
• Nationality/Citizenship
• Date of Birth

These can not be changed afterward. In case you misspelled the name in your passport, you would need to file a new form.

Things like your accommodation, travel information like flight number, and personal information like your phone number can be updated afterward.

How to Fill Out the Thailand Digital Arrival Card

I just uploaded a Youtube video to my channel where I show you step-by-step how to fill it out and you can watch it right here on my site or go to my Youtube channel.

What information do you need to fill in

When you go to the TDAC website, it will ask you for your personal information, flight information, accommodation, as well as some health information.

So when you’re going to fill it all out, this is what you need to keep at hand:

Passport Information

• Family name (surname)
• First name (given name)
• Middle name (if applicable)
• Passport number
• Nationality/Citizenship

Personal Information

• Date of birth
• Occupation
• Gender
• Visa number (if applicable)
• Country of residence
• City/State of residence
• Phone number

Travel Information

• Date of arrival
• Country where you boarded
• Purpose of travel
• Mode of travel (air, land, or sea)
• Mode of transport
• Flight number/Vehicle number
• Date of departure (if known)
• Departure mode of travel (if known)

Accommodation Information in Thailand

• Type of accommodation
• Province
• District/Area
• Sub-District/Sub-Area
• Post code (if known)
• Address

Health Declaration Information

• Countries visited within two weeks before arrival
• Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate (if applicable)
• Date of vaccination (if applicable)
• Any symptoms experienced in the past two weeks

So keep your passport, plane ticket, as well as your accommodation bookings next to you and you’ll have almost all of the information you need to fill out the form.

You can also fill out the form for up to 10 people within 1 submission. So if you visit Thailand as a family, you can fill in the information for your whole family at once, but you do get a confirmation for each individual that you need to keep at hand when you arrive in Thailand.

What Happens After You Submit Your TDAC Form

Once you filled out all of your information and clicked on the submit application form, you’ll land on a confirmation page, which also has a download button.

You can download your TDAC to your phone, tablet, or computer. And you can also print it out as a PDF document.

Your TDAC will look like this:

Personally, I’d like to print it all out when I travel. I even print out my boarding pass because if I end up with an empty phone battery, I’ll have no way to show my TDAC once I land.

Once you land, you go to passport control and hand over you TDAC and passport and they’ll have all of the information they need to let you enjoy your holiday.

For Bangkok, once you’ve gone through Passport Control, there are several options to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to your hotel.

And before you’re even going, make sure to go at the right time. Check here to pick the best time for you to go visit Thailand.

Quick Tips & FAQs About the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?

The TDAC is Thailand’s new digital replacement for the TM6 arrival form. It collects your travel, accommodation, and health details before entering the country. It’s required for most non-Thai travelers starting May 1, 2025.

Is the TDAC mandatory for all tourists?

Yes, unless you’re a Thai national or part of a specific exemption group (like some diplomats or airline crew), you’ll need to complete the TDAC before arrival.

When should I submit the TDAC?

You can submit it up to 3 days before arriving. I recommend doing it as soon as you’re within that window. Things like browser issues or slow email confirmations do happen, and it’s better to have time to fix them.

Where do I complete the TDAC?

The official portal is online and user-friendly. Although kiosks are available at major Thai airports, I personally prefer completing it at home since it avoids last-minute stress and I prefer to go to passport control the moment I land.

How long does it take to fill out the TDAC?

It took me under 10 minutes with my documents ready. Just make sure you have your passport, flight, and accommodation info nearby to speed things up.

Is there a fee to submit the TDAC?

No. It’s 100% free. If someone asks for payment, it’s a scam. You don’t need a third party to complete it.

Can I correct mistakes on my TDAC after submission?

Yes, but only for limited info like your hotel or phone number. If you mess up your name, passport number, or birthday, you’ll need to submit a new form. Been there. It’s faster to just redo it.

Do I need to print the TDAC?

It’s optional but recommended. I print mine in case my phone dies or I can’t load email at the airport. It’s a small thing that’s saved me stress more than once and I just keep it in my backpack.

Can I submit the TDAC for my family?

Yes, up to 10 people per submission. Just keep each person’s confirmation email or PDF handy. They’ll still need to show it separately at immigration.

Do children need their own TDAC?

Yes. Every traveler, including kids, must have a completed TDAC, even infants. If you’re filling it out for your family, just include their info during the submission.

What happens if I forget to submit the TDAC?

You’ll still be able to do it at the airport, but it could mean long lines or delays. One traveler I met had to step out of the immigration queue to use a kiosk, which added an hour to his arrival.

Can I fill out the TDAC on my phone or tablet?

Yes! The site works on mobile devices. I tested it on my iPhone and it worked just fine, but typing your address is definitely easier on a computer.