Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): Complete 2026 Guide
From May 1, 2025, all non-Thai nationals must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before entering the country. This replaces the TM6 form to enhance security and streamline procedures. Complete your TDAC within 72 hours of arrival at tdac.immigration.go.th.
Since May 1, 2025, every foreigner entering Thailand β regardless of nationality or visa type β must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before boarding their flight. The TDAC replaces the old paper TM6 arrival form that was previously filled out on the plane or at the border. It applies to all travellers without exception: tourists, business visitors, retirees, and Thailand Elite / Thailand Privilege Visa holders alike.
The good news: the TDAC is completely free and takes under 5 minutes to complete on the official portal at tdac.immigration.go.th.
Important for Thailand Elite members: Your Elite Personal Liaison (EPL) who meets you at the airport cannot complete the TDAC on your behalf. This form must be submitted personally β online β ideally before your flight departs. If you haven't completed it, your EPL can assist you at the airport kiosks, but expect queues and allow extra time. This guide walks you through every step.
The TDAC is mandatory for all foreigners, including Thailand Privilege Visa holders. Unlike other administrative formalities β such as 90-day reporting, visa extensions, or TM30 filing β where your dedicated Elite Personal Liaison (EPL) can assist you through the process or complete it on your behalf, the TDAC must be submitted personally online before each entry into Thailand. Your EPL can guide you, but the submission itself must come from you β they cannot submit it on your behalf.
What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is Thailand's official digital entry declaration system, introduced by the Thai Immigration Bureau. It replaced the long-standing paper TM6 form starting May 1, 2025.
- Mandatory for all foreigners β every nationality, every visa type, every entry point (air, land, sea)
- Online only β completed at tdac.immigration.go.th
- 100% free β the official portal never asks for payment; any third-party site charging a fee for TDAC completion is a scam
- Valid submission window: between 24 and 72 hours before arrival β submitting earlier than 72 hours will be rejected by the system
- Upon submission, you receive a QR code by email β present this to immigration officers upon arrival
What You Need Before You Start
Gather the following before opening the TDAC portal. Having everything ready means you can complete the form in one smooth session without interruptions.
- β Passport β number, expiry date, issuing country/nationality
- β Flight number (e.g. TG930, EK384, TK69)
- β Accommodation address in Thailand β full details: hotel or residence name, province, district, and postal code
- β Valid email address β your QR code confirmation will be sent here
- β Travel history β countries visited in the 14 days before your Thailand arrival
If travelling as a family or group, each person needs their own TDAC β but you can complete them all in one session (see Step 5).
Step-by-Step Guide β How to Complete the TDAC
Step 1 β Access the Official Portal
Go to the official Thai Immigration TDAC portal: https://tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card/#/home
On the homepage, you will see two options:
- "Arrival Card" β to complete a new declaration
- "Update Arrival Card" β to modify a previously submitted declaration
Step 2 β Personal Information
Complete the personal information section using your passport as reference:
- Family name and first name (as printed on your passport β no accents)
- Middle name (leave blank if not applicable)
- Passport number
- Nationality and country of residence
- Date of birth, gender, and profession
- Phone number with international country code
- Email address (QR code delivery)
- Visa number β optional; leave blank if entering visa-exempt or on a visa-on-arrival. Thailand Privilege Visa holders may enter their visa number if they have it readily available.
Step 3 β Travel Details
Provide the details of your current journey to Thailand:
- Intended arrival date in Thailand
- Country of embarkation (the country you're flying or travelling from)
- Purpose of visit: tourism, business, transit, visiting family, etc.
- Mode of transport: air, land, or sea
- Flight number (for air arrivals)
- Departure plans from Thailand (planned exit date/country)
Step 4 β Health Declaration
The health section is straightforward:
- List the countries you have visited in the 14 days prior to arrival in Thailand
- No vaccination proof or certificate upload is required through this portal
Step 5 β Add Travelling Companions (Optional)
Travelling with family or colleagues? Each person (including children) requires their own TDAC. However, you can manage the entire group in a single session:
- Before previewing, click "Add Other Travelers"
- Travel and accommodation details can be copied from the first traveller's form
- Each person's QR code will be sent to their respective email address
Step 6 β Preview, Submit & Receive Your QR Code
- Carefully review all information on the preview screen before submitting
- Submit the form β you will receive a confirmation email with your unique QR code within minutes
- Present the QR code (on your phone or printed) to the immigration officer upon arrival in Thailand
- As backup, screenshot the QR code and save it to your camera roll β in case you have no internet access at the airport
TDAC Timing β When to Fill It In
The TDAC system has a strict submission window. Submitting too early or too late will create problems.
| Timing Before Arrival | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| More than 72 hours before arrival | β Not accepted | The system will reject your submission |
| 24β72 hours before arrival | β Recommended | Ideal window β gives you time to fix any errors |
| Day of travel (under 24h) | β οΈ Possible but risky | Technical issues could leave you without a QR code |
| After arrival | β οΈ Possible but not recommended | You can complete the TDAC at self-service kiosks at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket & Chiang Mai β but expect queues and delays. Thailand Elite members can ask their EPL for assistance, though it takes longer than completing it in advance |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TDAC free?
Yes β the TDAC is completely free. The official Thai Immigration portal (tdac.immigration.go.th) never requests payment of any kind. If you encounter a website charging a fee to complete your TDAC, it is an unauthorised third-party service. Use only the official government portal. See the FAQ section on our site for more information on common scams targeting travellers to Thailand.
Do Thailand Elite / Thailand Privilege Visa members need to complete the TDAC?
Yes. The TDAC applies to all foreigners entering Thailand, regardless of visa type or membership programme. Your Thailand Privilege Visa does not exempt you from this requirement. That said, your EPL (Elite Personal Liaison) can guide you through the TDAC process if you have questions. Full details on the Thailand Privilege visa procedures page.
Can one TDAC cover the whole family?
No. Each traveller β including infants and children β must have their own individual TDAC. However, you can complete all declarations in one session using the "Add Other Travelers" option, with shared travel and accommodation information across the group.
Can I update the TDAC after submission?
Yes, with limitations. You can update travel details (flight number, accommodation) via the "Update Arrival Card" option on the portal. However, personal identity data (name, passport number, date of birth) cannot be edited after submission β if these need correcting, submit a new form entirely.
Is the TDAC required for airport transit?
If you are transiting through a Thai airport and remain entirely within the international zone without clearing immigration, the TDAC is generally not required. If your transit involves exiting the airport, collecting baggage, or clearing immigration β the TDAC is required. When in doubt, check with your airline at check-in.
I forgot to complete the TDAC β what happens at the airport?
Major Thai international airports β including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, and Chiang Mai β have self-service kiosks and immigration staff available to assist with on-arrival TDAC completion. However, this can cause significant delays, especially at busy periods. Completing the TDAC before arrival is always strongly recommended.
Thailand Elite members can ask their Elite Personal Liaison (EPL) for help at the airport. This must be done before passing through immigration.
Thailand Elite Members: How Your EPL Can Help
As a Thailand Elite member, your dedicated Elite Personal Liaison (EPL) handles the full range of administrative requirements that come with living in Thailand long-term β from your annual visa extensions and TM30 reporting to your periodic 90-day reporting with Thai Immigration.
While the TDAC must be submitted personally online before each entry, your EPL is always available to walk you through the process, answer any questions, and ensure you never miss a step or a deadline.
Key Resources
- π Official TDAC portal (free): tdac.immigration.go.th
- π Thai Immigration Bureau: www.immigration.go.th
- π Thailand Elite member support: thailand-elite.com/contact
- π Thailand Privilege visa procedures: Full guide for Thailand Elite members
- π Common questions: Thailand Elite FAQ
Long-Term Residents: Simplify Every Formality with Thailand Elite
The TDAC is just one of many administrative requirements that come with living in Thailand as a foreign national. As a Thailand Elite member, you gain access to a dedicated Elite Personal Liaison (EPL) who assists with your 90-day reporting, annual visa extensions, TM30 filing, bank account opening, and most official procedures β so you can focus on everything that makes Thailand worth calling home. (Note: the TDAC must be completed personally by each traveller.)
5 membership tiers Β· 5 to 20 years Β· from ΰΈΏ650,000 (~$18,700)