Since the paper TM6 arrival slip was retired, every foreign visitor flying, driving or sailing into Thailand has to complete one online form before they reach immigration: the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, or TDAC. It is quick and free, but it trips up first-time travellers who have never heard of it — and a client stuck at the counter without it is a problem that lands on the agent. This guide explains exactly what the TDAC is, who needs it, how to fill it in, and the mistakes that cause the most grief at the border.
What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?
The TDAC is an online arrival declaration that the Thai immigration authorities require from foreign nationals entering the country. It replaced the old paper TM6 card that travellers used to fill in by hand on the plane. Instead of a slip, visitors now submit their details digitally before arrival and carry a confirmation (a QR code) to show at immigration if asked. It collects basic personal, passport, travel and accommodation information plus a short health declaration.
Two things to be crystal clear about with clients. First, the TDAC is not a visa and does not grant entry on its own — visa rules and visa-exemption rules are entirely separate and still apply. Second, the official TDAC is free. Travellers complete it on the government immigration portal; there is no government charge to submit it.
Who needs to complete a TDAC?
As a rule of thumb, all foreign nationals entering Thailand are expected to submit a TDAC, whether they arrive by air, land or sea, and regardless of whether they hold a visa or travel under a visa exemption. That includes tourists, business travellers and most transit scenarios where a traveller passes through immigration.
The main people who do not need one are Thai citizens. Beyond that, requirements and edge cases (certain transit passengers, specific border arrangements) can change, so the safe advice for any unusual itinerary is to check the current official guidance rather than assume. Children and minors are not exempt — each traveller needs their own submission, which is the single most common thing families get wrong (more on that below).
When should travellers fill it in?
The TDAC is designed to be completed shortly before travel — within a few days of arrival, not months ahead. Tell clients to do it in the final stretch of their trip prep, once flights and the first night's hotel are firmly booked, because they will need the arrival date and an address in Thailand. The practical advice that prevents border stress:
- Do it before leaving home, while wifi is reliable and passports are to hand — not in a rush at the departure gate.
- Each traveller needs their own card, including infants and children. A family of four = four submissions.
- Save the confirmation — screenshot or print the QR/confirmation so it works even with no signal on landing.
How to complete the TDAC, step by step
The process is short — most travellers finish in a few minutes per person. The flow is roughly:
- Open the official immigration portal and start a new arrival card. Encourage clients to navigate from official Thai government immigration channels and avoid lookalike third-party sites that charge a "service fee" for a free form.
- Personal & passport details: full name exactly as printed in the passport, nationality, passport number, date of birth. Accuracy here matters most — it must match the passport.
- Trip details: arrival date, flight or transport details, and the purpose of visit (tourism, business, etc.).
- Accommodation in Thailand: the address of the first hotel or place of stay. The first night's confirmed hotel is fine even for multi-stop trips.
- Health declaration: a short set of questions, occasionally adjusted for current public-health conditions.
- Submit and save: the traveller receives a confirmation with a QR code. Save it offline and present it at immigration if requested.
The mistakes that cause problems at immigration
Most TDAC headaches are avoidable. The recurring ones:
- Paying a third-party site. Search results surface unofficial pages that mimic the form and charge a fee. The real card is free; brief clients to use official immigration channels only.
- Forgetting the kids. "We did ours" usually means the adults only. Every minor needs a separate submission tied to their own passport.
- Name or passport typos. Details that don't match the passport can slow things down. Tell clients to copy carefully from the passport itself.
- Leaving it too late. Because it is meant for the days just before arrival, travellers who try months ahead get confused, and those who forget entirely scramble at the airport. Put it on the final pre-departure checklist.
- No offline copy. Airport wifi after a long flight is unreliable. A screenshot of the confirmation removes the risk.
How the TDAC fits with visas and entry rules
Repeat this to every client because it prevents false reassurance: the TDAC is an arrival declaration, not permission to enter. Travellers still need to satisfy Thailand's visa or visa-exemption requirements for their nationality and length of stay, hold a passport with adequate validity, and meet any onward-travel or funds conditions that may apply. The TDAC simply digitises the arrival-card step that used to happen on paper. Think of it as one box on the entry checklist — necessary, but sitting alongside the visa, the passport and the return ticket, not replacing any of them.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card free?
Yes. The official TDAC submitted through Thai government immigration channels carries no government fee. Any site charging to "process" it is a third-party reseller; the form itself is free to complete.
Do children and babies need their own TDAC?
Yes. There is no family exemption — every foreign traveller, including infants and children, needs an individual submission linked to their own passport. This is the most common mistake families make.
How soon before arrival should the TDAC be submitted?
It is intended for the days immediately before travel rather than far in advance. Have clients complete it once flights and the first hotel are confirmed, ideally before they leave home while wifi and documents are easily to hand.
Is the TDAC the same as a visa?
No. The TDAC is an arrival declaration and does not grant entry. Visa requirements and visa-exemption rules are separate and still apply according to the traveller's nationality and trip.
What does a traveller need to fill it in?
Their passport, arrival date and flight details, and the address of their first night's accommodation in Thailand. A short health declaration is also included.
What happens if a client forgets to do it before arrival?
They will generally be directed to complete it on arrival, which can mean queues and stress after a long flight. It is far smoother to submit it in advance and carry the saved confirmation.
Let Explera handle the ground details
Entry formalities like the TDAC are exactly the kind of small, easy-to-miss step that can sour the start of an otherwise perfect trip. As a nationwide Thailand DMC, Explera supports travel agents and their clients across the whole arrival experience — from airport transfers and meet-and-greet to hotel bookings and full itineraries — and we keep partners briefed on current entry requirements so nothing surprises your travellers at the border. Talk to our trade desk and we will help you give clients a seamless welcome to Thailand.
Entry and arrival-card requirements are set by the Thai authorities and can change. Always confirm the latest official rules before travel.
