While travelers are still waiting for an official announcement of the date on which Thailand will reduce the visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days for several nationalities, the country is also moving ahead with the digitalization of its entry procedures.
The latest example is THIM, short for Thailand Immigration Management, a new mobile app developed by the Immigration Bureau.
Since the pilot phase opened, many travelers have been asking what exactly the app is for: is downloading THIM mandatory before departure? Does the app replace the TDAC? Does a digital arrival card already completed on the official portal need to be submitted again through the app?
At this stage, THIM does not create a new entry requirement for Thailand. The app is mainly intended to make it easier to complete the registration linked to the TDAC, Thailand’s digital arrival card, which is already mandatory for foreign travelers entering the country by air, land or sea.
THIM is not a new arrival card
The key point is simple: THIM is currently an optional app, while, as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) confirmed today, the TDAC remains a mandatory requirement.
Foreign visitors should continue to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, or TDAC, as required by the Immigration Bureau.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card must therefore still be completed before arrival in Thailand, within three days of entering the country. It can be submitted through the official portal at tdac.immigration.go.th.
During its pilot phase, and ahead of an official launch scheduled for August 2026, THIM only provides mobile access to the registration process linked to the TDAC. It does not replace the TDAC at this stage and does not create a second arrival card to be completed separately.
In other words, if a traveler has already properly submitted a TDAC through the official website, they do not need to file a new declaration simply because the THIM app exists.
Do travelers need to download THIM before visiting Thailand?
Downloading THIM is not currently presented as mandatory during the pilot phase.
Travelers can therefore continue to use the existing official TDAC channel without going through the app. THIM is instead being offered as an additional option, particularly for those who prefer to complete the process on a smartphone, save their information more easily or prepare for future trips.
Thai authorities even describe the app as a “recommended” way to submit the TDAC, but the QR code and the official portal are also still listed as possible access methods.
The distinction matters: THIM may be useful, but for now it should not be understood as an additional obligation imposed on all travelers.
What does THIM actually allow travelers to do?
The THIM app allows foreign travelers to register their information before entering Thailand from a mobile phone.
The system relies in part on automated passport reading. Travelers can take a photo of their passport, after which the system extracts and records certain personal information automatically. They must then complete the details related to their stay, including their accommodation in Thailand, travel information and purpose of entry, in line with the information required for the TDAC.
According to Thai authorities, individual registration should take about three minutes. The app also supports group registration for up to 10 travelers at a time, which may be useful for families, groups of friends or organized tours.
THIM is available on iOS and Android. In its initial phase, it supports four main languages: English, Russian, Japanese and Chinese. Authorities plan to add at least 15 more languages.
TDAC already completed: do travelers need to do anything in THIM?
For travelers who have already completed and submitted their TDAC through the official portal, the existence of THIM does not change the process already completed.
There is no need to submit a new declaration in the app if the TDAC has already been properly completed, transmitted and validated through the official channel.
THIM should be understood as another way to access the process, not as a parallel formality. Travelers should mainly make sure they have their TDAC confirmation or QR code, and that the information provided matches their passport, itinerary and accommodation.
When in doubt, the official TDAC website remains the reference point.
Why is Thailand launching THIM?
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau presents THIM as a tool designed to improve the efficiency of foreign traveler registration, reduce processing times and strengthen the monitoring of entries into the country.
The goal goes beyond the digital arrival card alone. Authorities want to gradually turn THIM into a more comprehensive platform for immigration services.
In the longer term, the app could allow users to submit digital documents, book appointments with officers, track the status of certain applications online or access other procedures for foreigners who live in Thailand or visit regularly.
These features, however, are still under development and have yet to be confirmed by the Immigration Bureau.
