Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): How to Register

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is the new mandatory electronic entry form that replaced the old paper TM6 arrival card. Since May 1, 2025, every non-Thai national entering Thailand – whether by air, land, or sea – must complete the TDAC online before arriving. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the TDAC Thailand, from registration steps to common questions and tips for a smooth entry.

What Is the TDAC Thailand?

The TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) is an online registration system managed by the Thai Immigration Bureau. It collects traveler information including personal details, travel itinerary, accommodation address, and a health declaration. The system was introduced to modernize Thailand’s border control, improve security tracking, and streamline the arrival process for millions of visitors each year.

Unlike a visa, the TDAC does not authorize your entry into Thailand. It is a pre-arrival registration requirement that applies to all foreign passport holders, regardless of nationality, visa type, or length of stay. Even travelers eligible for visa exemption must complete the TDAC before entering the Kingdom.

What Does TDAC Mean?

TDAC is short for Thailand Digital Arrival Card. Each letter describes one part of the document:

T – Thailand: it is issued by the Thai Immigration Bureau and used only for entering Thailand
D – Digital: you fill it in online at tdac.immigration.go.th instead of on paper
A – Arrival: it is completed before you arrive by air, land or sea
C – Card: it takes over the role of the old TM6 arrival/departure card

The word “card” can be misleading: there is no plastic card and nothing is mailed to you. What you receive is a confirmation with a QR code that you show at immigration.

Key Facts About the TDAC

Detail	Information
Effective Date	May 1, 2025
Who Must Complete	All non-Thai nationals
Cost	Free – no fees charged
Submission Window	Up to 3 days (72 hours) before arrival
Validity	Single entry only – new TDAC required for each trip
Languages Available	English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian
Official Website	tdac.immigration.go.th
Replaces	TM6 paper arrival card (discontinued 2024)

Entry Form, Immigration Card, TM6: Which Term Means What?

Travel forums, airlines and booking sites describe the TDAC with many different names. If you came across any of the terms below, this is what they refer to in 2025 and later:

Term you may see	What it refers to today
Thailand entry form / Thailand arrival form	The TDAC, submitted online before arrival
Thailand immigration card / immigration form	The TDAC – the immigration officer checks it together with your passport
Thai arrival card / Thailand e-arrival card	The TDAC (digital version of the arrival card)
Thailand travel card	Usually the TDAC; it is not a visa or a travel permit
TDAC form	The online form on tdac.immigration.go.th
TM6 form	The former paper arrival/departure card, no longer used

Whatever name you use, there is only one form to complete, and the official version is free.

Who Needs to Complete the TDAC?

Every non-Thai national must submit a TDAC before entering Thailand. This includes:

Tourists on short holidays
Business travelers attending meetings or conferences
Long-term residents with work permits or retirement visas
Digital nomad visa (DTV) holders
Thailand Privilege Visa members
Transit passengers passing through Thailand
Children and infants (parents or guardians submit on their behalf)

The only exceptions are foreign nationals holding a valid Thai re-entry permit and certain diplomatic passport holders under specific bilateral agreements.

What Information Does the TDAC Require?

Before starting your TDAC registration, gather the following documents and details:

Personal Information

Full name (exactly as it appears on your passport)
Passport number and nationality
Date of birth and gender
Visa number (if applicable)
Occupation
Country of residence
Phone number and email address

Travel Details

Arrival and departure dates
Mode of travel (air, land, or sea)
Flight or vehicle number
Country of embarkation

Accommodation Details

Type of accommodation (hotel, hostel, private residence)
Full address including province, district, sub-district, postal code, and street address

Health Declaration

Countries visited in the past 14 days
Any symptoms experienced in the past 14 days
Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (if arriving from an endemic country)

How to Register for the TDAC – Overview

The registration process is straightforward and takes approximately 10-15 minutes. Here is a quick overview of the steps:

Visit tdac.immigration.go.th and click “Arrival Card”
Select individual or group registration
Enter your personal and passport information
Provide travel and accommodation details
Complete the health declaration
Review all information for accuracy
Submit the form and save the QR code confirmation

For a detailed walkthrough with screenshots, see our step-by-step TDAC form guide.

TDAC for US Citizens and Other Visa-Exempt Travelers

US passport holders can enter Thailand under the visa exemption program for stays of up to 60 days, but the exemption only removes the need for a visa – it does not remove the TDAC. American travelers submit the same online form as everyone else, within 72 hours before arrival.

The same applies to other visa-exempt nationalities, such as citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and most EU countries. In the TDAC you simply leave the visa number field empty. For stay limits and visa options by purpose of travel, see our Thailand entry requirements guide and the TDAC requirements for tourists.

The Occupation Field in the TDAC Form

The occupation question appears in the personal details step, together with your name, passport number and contact details. Many travelers hesitate here, so a few practical rules:

Choose or enter the option that best describes your current job.
Keep it consistent with your visa: someone on a Non-Immigrant B (business) visa should give the occupation stated in the visa application.
Retirees, students and people who are not working should describe their actual situation rather than a former job.
If you notice a mistake after submitting, use the “Update Arrival Card” function – the only fields that cannot be changed are full name, passport number, nationality and date of birth.

The full list of fields, in the order they appear, is in our step-by-step TDAC form guide.

When Should You Submit the TDAC?

You can submit your TDAC up to 3 days (72 hours) before your arrival date, including the arrival date itself. For example, if you plan to arrive in Thailand on July 15, you can submit your TDAC starting from July 12.

We recommend completing the TDAC at least 24 hours before your flight to allow time for any corrections if needed. However, many travelers successfully complete the form at the airport while waiting to board, as long as they have internet access and their travel documents.

What Happens After Submission?

After successfully submitting your TDAC, you will receive:

A confirmation page with a QR code
An email confirmation (if you provided an email address)

You do not need to print the confirmation. Simply save the QR code on your phone and present it to the immigration officer upon arrival. However, carrying a printed copy as a backup is a good idea, especially if you are concerned about battery life or internet connectivity.

TM6 Form Thailand: Is the Paper Card Still Used?

No. Since the TDAC launched on May 1, 2025, airlines no longer hand out TM6 cards on flights to Thailand and border checkpoints do not accept them. If you are looking for the “TM6 form”, the document you need now is the TDAC.

The TDAC replaced the traditional TM6 paper arrival card that travelers had to fill out on the plane or at the border. Here is how the two compare:

Feature	TM6 (Old)	TDAC (New)
Format	Paper form	Online digital form
When to Complete	On the plane or at border	Up to 3 days before arrival
Cost	Free	Free
Data Storage	Physical paper kept by traveler	Digital record in immigration system
Health Declaration	Not included	Included
Confirmation	Stamped paper stub	QR code on phone

For a more detailed comparison, read our article on TDAC vs TM6: What Changed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Wrong passport details: Double-check your passport number, nationality, and date of birth. These fields cannot be updated after submission – you must submit a new form.
Inaccurate accommodation address: Have your hotel booking confirmation ready. Enter the full address including province and postal code.
Submitting too early: The TDAC is only valid for entries within the 3-day window. Submitting weeks in advance will result in an expired form.
Forgetting the health declaration: The health section is mandatory. List all countries you visited in the past 14 days.
Not saving the QR code: Always save or screenshot your confirmation QR code before closing the browser.

Tips for a Smooth TDAC Experience

Complete the TDAC as soon as the 3-day window opens to avoid last-minute stress
Have your passport, flight booking, and hotel confirmation open before starting
Use a stable internet connection to avoid losing your progress
Save the QR code to your phone’s photo gallery for easy access
If traveling with family, use the group registration feature to submit multiple forms at once
Check for system updates on the official TDAC website, as the platform is regularly improved

What If You Need to Make Changes?

If you realize you made a mistake after submitting your TDAC, you have two options:

Update your existing form: Use the “Update Arrival Card” function on the TDAC website. You can change most fields, except your full name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth.
Submit a new form: If you need to correct unchangeable fields, simply submit a brand new TDAC. The system will use the latest valid submission.

For more frequently asked questions, visit our TDAC Thailand FAQ page.

Special Considerations for Different Travelers

Tourists

Most tourists will find the TDAC process quick and simple. Have your hotel booking address ready, and make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date. See our tourist requirements guide for more details.

Business Travelers

Business travelers holding non-immigrant visas must also complete the TDAC. The process is identical to that for tourists, but you may need to provide your company’s address as your accommodation if staying at a corporate residence. Read our business traveler TDAC guide for specific tips.

Families with Children

Every traveler, including children and infants, needs a TDAC. Parents or guardians can submit forms on behalf of their children using the group registration feature, which allows multiple submissions in a single session.

Long-Term Residents

If you hold a retirement visa, work permit, or Thailand Elite Visa, you must still complete a new TDAC every time you re-enter Thailand. The TDAC is valid for a single entry only.

Keeping Up with TDAC Updates

The Thai Immigration Bureau regularly updates the TDAC system to improve performance and add features. Recent updates have included improved PDF generation, better data stability, and additional language support. Always check the official TDAC website for the latest version before your trip.

For the complete picture of Thailand entry requirements including visas and other documentation, see our Thailand Entry Requirements 2025 guide.

Thailand Entry Requirements Checklist

The TDAC is only one of the documents checked at the border. Before you travel, make sure you have all of the following:

A passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date, with at least 2 blank pages
Permission to enter: a visa, visa exemption or visa on arrival, depending on your nationality
A submitted TDAC with the QR code saved on your phone
The full address of your first accommodation in Thailand
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate, if you are arriving from an endemic country

Details for each point are in our complete Thailand entry requirements guide.

More TDAC Guides on This Site

Is the TDAC Thailand free to complete?

Yes, the TDAC is completely free. The Thai government does not charge any fee for submitting the Thailand Digital Arrival Card. Be cautious of third-party websites that may try to charge you for TDAC registration – always use the official site at tdac.immigration.go.th.

Can I enter Thailand without completing the TDAC?

No. Since May 1, 2025, the TDAC is mandatory for all non-Thai nationals. If you arrive without a completed TDAC, you will be required to fill one out at the border, which will cause significant delays to your entry process.

How long does it take to complete the TDAC?

Most travelers complete the TDAC in 10-15 minutes. Having your passport, flight details, and hotel address ready beforehand will speed up the process considerably.

Do I need to print my TDAC confirmation?

No, printing is not required. You can show the QR code on your phone to the immigration officer. However, carrying a printed copy as a backup is recommended in case of phone issues.

Can I submit the TDAC on behalf of someone else?

Yes. The TDAC system allows group submissions, so you can register on behalf of family members, children, or other travelers in your group. You will need their passport details and travel information.

What does TDAC stand for?

TDAC stands for Thailand Digital Arrival Card. It is the online arrival form run by the Thai Immigration Bureau at tdac.immigration.go.th.

Is the TM6 form still required in Thailand?

No. The paper TM6 card was replaced by the TDAC on May 1, 2025. Airlines no longer distribute it and immigration does not accept it.

Do US citizens need a TDAC?

Yes. US citizens can visit Thailand visa-free for up to 60 days, but they still have to submit the TDAC online within 72 hours before arrival.

Is the TDAC a visa?

No. The TDAC is a pre-arrival registration. It does not grant entry and does not replace a visa, a visa exemption or a visa on arrival.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): Registration Guide for Every Traveler