Thailand is moving away from the paper TM6 form. Starting May 1, 2025, all foreign travelers will be required to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), within 72 hours before entering the country.
No more paper, now it’s digital. Starting May 1, 2025, all foreign travelers entering Thailand will be required to complete a digital arrival card called the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, or TDAC.
This new system, which will replace the TM6 paper form, is part of a drive to modernize and streamline entry procedures.
A paperless formality for all travellers, whether or not they have a visa
The launch of the TDAC is supported by an online platform now accessible at the official address: tdac.immigration.go.th. This card must be filled in by all foreign travellers – whether they hold a visa or not – before arriving in Thailand, whether by air, land or sea.
The only exceptions are people in transit who do not pass through immigration control, and travelers with a “Border Pass” for specific border crossings.
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is an online form developed to replace the paper arrival card, with the aim of making life easier for all foreigners entering Thailand by air, land or sea.
Thailand Immigration Bureau
A simplified process, to be completed prior to travel to Thailand
In concrete terms, travellers must complete their TDAC within 72 hours (or 3 days) prior to arrival. The online form is divided into several stages: personal information, travel and accommodation details, health declaration, and finally validation.
Once the application has been submitted, the digital card is sent by e-mail, to be printed or saved on a smartphone for presentation at immigration.
How to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?
- Access the official website: Go to tdac.immigration.go.th and click on “Arrival Card”.
- Fill in your personal information: Last name, first name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, visa number (if applicable), etc. Then click on “Continue”.
- Indicate your travel details: Date of arrival, means of transportation, purpose of stay, address in Thailand (hotel or home), etc. Click on “Continue”.
- Declare your health status: List the countries visited in the 14 days prior to your arrival. This step is required by the Thai Ministry of Public Health.
- Check all the information: A summary will be provided. Review carefully and correct any errors.
- Provide your email: The TDAC will be sent to this address as a PDF file. You must present it upon arrival.
- Submit the form: Accept the terms of use, then validate. Your card will be generated immediately.
- Download your TDAC: Keep a printed or digital version of the TDAC with you for the duration of your stay.
Objective: efficiency and safety
Beyond the practical aspect, this digital arrival card enables the Thai authorities to centralize visitor data and reinforce health control measures, while reducing the use of paper.
This new system is part of a wider transformation of the country’s migration policy, which is already underway with the deployment of electronic visas (e-Visa) and tighter monitoring of entry/exit to the country.
Thailand plans to reduce visa-free stay…
In parallel with this digital evolution, Thailand is considering reducing the duration of visa-free stays, currently set at 60 days, to just 30 days for nationals of 93 visa-exempt countries.
The idea, still under study, is divisive. Some see it as a means of better controlling tourist flows and preventing abuse, while others fear it will put the brakes on a tourism sector that has just recovered from the pandemic. For the time being, no final decision has been taken, but the measure remains on the Thai government’s table.
An unavoidable digital shift
With the introduction of TDAC, Thailand is following in the footsteps of other destinations that have chosen to dematerialize their entry formalities to gain in efficiency. Cambodia, Malaysia, Cuba and even more recently South Korea have all digitized their arrival cards to simplify formalities on arrival.
Travelers, get to your keyboards: from now on, a visit to Thailand will begin… behind a screen.
April’s fool … well done
fancy pants these guys … Switzerland is not even on the list of countries of departure … select UNKNOWN seems the best choice … loving it!