Thailand Digital Arrival Card: What Travelers Need To Know Before Entering Thailand

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is an online arrival form that most foreign travelers must complete before entering Thailand. It is also called TDAC, and it replaces the older paper-based arrival card that travelers used to fill in manually.

The most important thing to know is this: the Thailand Digital Arrival Card is not a visa. It does not replace a Thailand tourist visa, visa exemption, visa on arrival, or any other immigration permission you may need based on your passport. It is a separate digital arrival form that supports the entry process.

If you are preparing other travel documents for your trip, you can also use Outbound Visa’s free tools here

What Is The Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is a mandatory online form for non-Thai nationals entering Thailand. It collects basic passport, travel, accommodation, and health declaration information before arrival.

Who Needs To Submit The Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

All non-Thai nationals entering Thailand are required to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before entry. This applies regardless of whether you arrive by air, land, or sea.

You generally need to submit TDAC if you are:

• A Tourist Visiting Thailand

• A Business Traveler

• A Long-Term Visa Holder Entering Thailand

• A Visa-Exempt Traveler

• A Visa-On-Arrival Traveler

• A Student Or Worker Entering With A Valid Visa

• A Child Or Infant With A Foreign Passport

• A Diplomatic Passport Holder Who Is Not A Thai National

The official FAQ also says children and infants need TDAC, and parents or guardians can complete the form on their behalf.

Who Does Not Need A Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

You may not need to submit TDAC if you are:

• A Thai National Returning To Thailand

• A Transit Passenger Who Does Not Pass Through Immigration

• A Traveler Entering Thailand Using A Border Pass

• Crew, Based On The Official TDAC FAQ

If you are transiting through Thailand but staying airside and not passing through immigration, the official FAQ says TDAC is not required. If you leave the airport or pass through immigration, you should expect to submit one.

When Should You Submit The Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

You should submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card within 3 days before your arrival date in Thailand, including the date of arrival. The official TDAC guide and FAQ both use this three-day submission window.

For example:

Do not submit it too early. TDAC is linked to your expected arrival details, and the official FAQ says it is valid from the time you submit it until you arrive in Thailand.

Is The Thailand Digital Arrival Card Free?

Yes. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is free when submitted through the official Thailand Immigration Bureau website. Thai Embassy guidance also warns travelers to be careful with any website charging administrative fees for the TDAC.

Use the official TDAC website:
https://tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card/

This matters because fake or unofficial websites may charge unnecessary fees or collect sensitive passport and travel data. A recent report also noted that Thailand’s Immigration Bureau warned travelers about fraudulent websites offering TDAC services for a fee.

Is TDAC The Same As A Thailand Visa?

No. TDAC is not a visa.

A Thailand visa gives permission to enter or stay in Thailand under a specific visa category. TDAC is only an arrival form that helps immigration collect your travel details before you arrive.

You may still need a visa depending on your passport, travel purpose, and length of stay. For example:

The official TDAC guide specifically notes that the Thailand Digital Arrival Card is not a visa.

What Information Do You Need For TDAC?

Prepare your details before starting because the official FAQ says you cannot save your progress and finish later.

You will usually need:

• Passport Details

• Full Name As Shown In Passport

• Date Of Birth

• Nationality Or Citizenship

• Arrival Date

• Flight Number Or Travel Details

• Address In Thailand

• Travel Purpose

• Health Declaration Information

• Email Address To Receive TDAC

The official TDAC guide also says travelers need passport information, personal information, travel information, accommodation information in Thailand, and health declaration information.

How To Submit The Thailand Digital Arrival Card

The process is online and should only take a few minutes if your details are ready. The official FAQ says it takes about three to five minutes per person if all information is available.

Follow these steps:

1. Go To The Official TDAC Website
   Visit https://tdac.immigration.go.th and choose the arrival card option.

2. Enter Your Passport And Personal Details
   Type your information in English and make sure it matches your passport.

3. Add Your Travel Details
   Enter your arrival date, flight or transport information, and travel purpose.

4. Add Your Accommodation In Thailand
   Use the address of your hotel, apartment, family home, or other place of stay.

5. Complete Any Health Declaration Questions
   The system may ask for additional health information based on your travel history, nationality, boarding country, or flight details.

6. Review Everything Carefully
   Check your name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, arrival date, and accommodation details before submitting.

7. Enter Your Email Address
   The TDAC confirmation and QR code will be sent to your email.

8. Download Your TDAC Confirmation
   Save the QR code on your phone or print a backup copy if needed.

The official guide says all details must be entered in English, and travelers should download the Thailand Digital Arrival Card after submission.

Can You Submit TDAC For Someone Else?

Yes. You can submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card for family members, children, or group travelers. The official FAQ says group submission can include up to 10 travelers per application.

This is useful if you are traveling with:

• Children

• Elderly Parents

• A Family Group

• A Tour Group

• Clients Or Guests, If You Are Authorized To Help Them

Make sure every traveler’s passport details are correct. Small mistakes in name, passport number, date of birth, or nationality can create problems at arrival.

Can You Update TDAC After Submitting?

Yes, but not every field can be changed.

The official guide says travelers can update submitted information before travel. However, it also says some details cannot be updated, including full name, nationality or citizenship, and date of birth. The FAQ adds that if certain details cannot be corrected, travelers should submit a new form with the correct information, and the latest valid submission will be used.

You should update or resubmit if there is a change in:

• Flight Details

• Arrival Date

• Accommodation Address

• Travel Purpose

• Health Declaration Details

• Email Address

But if your name, passport number, nationality, or date of birth is wrong, it may be safer to submit a new TDAC.

Do You Need To Print The Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

You do not usually need to print it. The official FAQ says travelers can download the document with the QR code and show it on a phone or other device. However, if you may not have access to your device, printing a backup copy is a good idea.

A practical approach:

• Save The QR Code On Your Phone

• Keep A Copy In Your Email

• Take A Screenshot Before Departure

• Print One Backup If Traveling With Children Or Elderly Family

• Make Sure Your Phone Battery Is Not Dead On Arrival

What Happens If You Arrive Without TDAC?

If you arrive without a completed TDAC, you may be delayed and asked to complete it at the airport or immigration area. The official FAQ says kiosks and internet Wi-Fi will be provided upon arrival if a traveler does not have smartphone or internet access.

However, it is still better to complete TDAC before departure. The official FAQ also notes that passengers may be denied entry based on immigration discretion if information is incorrect.

To avoid problems, submit the form before your trip and make sure your details match your passport and booking information.

Common TDAC Mistakes To Avoid

1. Thinking TDAC Is A Visa

TDAC is not a visa. If your nationality requires a visa for Thailand, you still need the correct visa or entry permission.

2. Using A Paid, Fake, Or Third-Party Website

TDAC is free when submitted through the official Thailand Immigration Bureau website. For safety, we strongly suggest completing the form directly on the official TDAC website only.

Avoid paid, fake, or third-party websites that claim to help submit the arrival card. Some may charge unnecessary fees, use confusing wording, or collect sensitive passport details. Since TDAC is a simple online form, most travelers should submit it directly through the official website.

Official TDAC Website:
https://tdac.immigration.go.th

3. Submitting Too Early

The submission window is within three days before arrival. Submitting too early can create confusion if your travel details change.

4. Entering Passport Details Incorrectly

Your name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth should match your passport exactly.

5. Forgetting Children

Children and infants also need TDAC if they are non-Thai nationals entering Thailand.

6. Reusing A TDAC For Another Trip

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is valid for one entry only. You need a new TDAC every time you enter Thailand.

7. Not Updating Hotel Or Flight Changes

If your flight or hotel changes before entry, update the form or submit a new one before arrival.

TDAC Checklist Before You Fly To Thailand

Before departure, check:

• Your Passport Is Valid For Travel

• You Know Whether You Need A Visa, Visa Exemption, Or Visa On Arrival

• Your TDAC Is Submitted Within 3 Days Before Arrival

• Your Name Matches Your Passport

• Your Passport Number Is Correct

• Your Arrival Date And Flight Details Are Correct

• Your Thailand Accommodation Address Is Ready

• Your TDAC QR Code Is Saved On Your Phone

• You Have A Backup Copy If Needed

If you are preparing a wider travel or visa document file, you can use Outbound Visa’s free tools here

Final Takeaway

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is now part of the Thailand entry process for most foreign travelers. It is mandatory, online, free, and should be submitted within three days before arrival.

The safest way to handle it is simple: use only the official TDAC website, submit close to your travel date, check every passport detail carefully, and remember that TDAC is not a visa. If your passport or travel purpose requires a Thailand visa, you still need to arrange that separately before your trip.

Sources

• Thailand Immigration Bureau — Thailand Digital Arrival Card Official Website
  https://tdac.immigration.go.th

• Thailand Immigration Bureau — TDAC User Guide
  https://tdac.immigration.go.th/manual/en/index.html

• Thailand Immigration Bureau — TDAC FAQ & Update
  https://tdac.immigration.go.th/manual/en/faq.html

• Royal Thai Embassy Buenos Aires — How To Submit The Thailand Digital Arrival Card
  https://buenos-aires.thaiembassy.org/en/content/how-to-submit-the-thailand-digital-arrival-card-td

• Tourism Authority Of Thailand — Guideline Thailand Digital Arrival Card
  https://www.tourismthailand.org/Articles/tdac

• Royal Thai Consulate-General Los Angeles — Visa Exemption And Visa On Arrival To Thailand
  https://thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/visa-exemption-and-visa-on-arrival-to-thailand