Meet the TDAC: Your New Digital Gateway
Gone are the days of fumbling for a pen to fill out the paper TM.6 form on your flight. Since May 2025, Thailand has implemented the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, or TDAC. This online system is designed to streamline your entry by collecting your travel
information before you land. It is a mandatory requirement for every foreign national entering the country, regardless of whether you are travelling visa-free or with a pre-arranged visa. The best part? Completing it through the official government portal is entirely free.
Gather Your Documents: What You Need First
To make the TDAC submission process take just a few minutes, have these details ready before you start. You will need your passport, your inbound flight number and arrival date, and the address of your first night's accommodation in Thailand. The form will ask for basic personal information exactly as it appears in your passport, so keeping it handy is essential. Indian citizens should also ensure their passport has at least six months of validity from their date of arrival in Thailand.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Filling the Form
Navigating the form is straightforward. First, visit the official TDAC website: tdac.immigration.go.th. Be wary of third-party sites that charge a fee; the official process is free. You can only submit the form within 72 hours (three days) of your arrival. The form is broken into simple sections: personal information (name, passport number, nationality), travel information (arrival date, flight number), and your accommodation details. Some recent updates have made the process even easier, such as making return flight details optional and automatically converting names to uppercase. Once you have filled in all the mandatory fields, you will review the information, enter your email address, and submit.
After You Submit: The All-Important QR Code
Once your submission is complete, a confirmation with a unique QR code will be sent to your email. This QR code is your digital pass. You must present it to the immigration officer upon arrival in Thailand. It is highly recommended to take a screenshot of the QR code and save it to your phone so you can access it easily without needing an internet connection at the airport. Having this code ready is as crucial as having your passport, as it proves you have completed the mandatory pre-arrival registration.
Common Pitfalls and Pro Tips for a Smooth Entry
The most common source of confusion is assuming visa-free entry means no declaration is needed; the TDAC is mandatory for everyone. Always double-check that you are using the official government website to avoid paying unnecessary fees. Double-check your passport number and name for typos before submitting, as errors can cause delays. While you can technically fill out the form upon arrival, doing so in advance is strongly recommended to ensure a quick and stress-free passage through immigration. Also note that a new mobile app called THIM, which integrates the TDAC, is expected to become mandatory in August 2026, offering another way to complete the process.
