Thailand Digital Arrival Card 2025: How to Apply Free

If your next holiday involves Thailand, a small but important digital form just became part of the packing routine. Starting May 1, 2025, every foreign visitor must submit a Thailand Digital Arrival Card before crossing the border — and the process is surprisingly simple once you know the steps.

Official Launch Date: May 1, 2025 ·
Cost: Free ·
Mandatory For: All non-Thai nationals entering by air, land, or sea ·
Application Window: Up to 3 days before arrival ·
Processing Time: Instant (online submission) ·
Printing Required: Not mandatory, but recommended to save on phone

Eight key details, one quick reference:

The pattern is clear: the system is designed to be friction-free, but only if you follow the timing and submission rules exactly.

Do I need to fill in a digital arrival card for Thailand?

Yes, if you are not a Thai national. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is mandatory for all non-Thai passport holders entering Thailand by air, land, or sea from May 1, 2025. It replaces the old paper TM6 card (Royal Thai Embassy in Buenos Aires). Travelers who fail to complete the TDAC may be denied entry (U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Thailand).

Is it mandatory to carry 10,000 baht to Thailand?

• Carrying 10,000 baht (or equivalent foreign currency) is a separate immigration requirement under Thai law, not part of the TDAC process (Royal Thai Embassy in Buenos Aires).
• The cash rule applies to most visa-exempt arrivals and is enforced independently of the digital card (U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Thailand).

Are there any exceptions for certain nationalities?

• All non-Thai nationals must submit the TDAC regardless of nationality (U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Thailand).
• Exemptions apply only to foreigners transiting without passing immigration control and those entering with a Border Pass (TDAC.in.th guidance site).

The implication: ignoring the TDAC because you think “it’s just a formality” could land you at a rebooking counter. Compliance starts before you board.

How do I do a Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

The process is entirely online — no mobile app, no paper. You’ll need a device with internet access and your travel details handy.

How do I get a Thai digital arrival card?

1. Go to the official website: tdac.immigration.go.th (official Thai immigration portal)
2. Fill in personal information (passport details, name, date of birth) — you can upload a passport photo or type manually (Royal Thai Embassy in Buenos Aires).
3. Enter flight details, accommodation address, and a health declaration (Royal Thai Embassy in Buenos Aires).
4. Submit — you receive a confirmation QR code by email instantly (TDAC.in.th).

What information do I need to submit?

• Passport number, expiry, and nationality
• Flight or vessel number, arrival date, and port of entry
• Accommodation in Thailand (hotel name and address or residential address)
• Health declaration (simple yes/no questions) (Royal Thai Embassy in Buenos Aires)

What this means: you don’t need a specialist; any traveler with basic internet literacy can do it themselves. The official site is fast, and there’s no waiting period.

How much is a Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

Zero. The official TDAC submission via tdac.immigration.go.th is completely free (TDAC.in.th). Third-party websites may charge assistance fees — for example, TDAC.in.th (third-party guidance site) offers early processing for a fee — but the government service costs nothing. No hidden taxes or surcharges are added by Thai immigration (Royal Thai Embassy in Buenos Aires).

The trade-off: paying a third party for urgency buys you nothing the official site won’t do for free if you wait until the window opens.

How early can I fill out the TDAC?

You can submit the TDAC up to 3 days before your arrival date (72 hours) (Royal Thai Embassy in Buenos Aires). Submissions outside this window are held in a pending state until the 72-hour mark (TDAC.in.th).

How many days before I can apply for a Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

• Maximum 3 calendar days before arrival (including the arrival date itself) (TDAC.in.th).
• Applying earlier than 3 days may result in a pending status or rejection on the official site.

How long does it take for a Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

• Processing is instantaneous after submission (TDAC.in.th).
• You’ll receive a confirmation email with a QR code immediately (Royal Thai Embassy in Buenos Aires).

The pattern: the system rewards patience — wait until 3 days out, and everything is free and instant. Early birds get no advantage on the official site.

Do I need to print my digital arrival card for Thailand?

No, printing is not mandatory. Immigration officers will accept the QR code displayed on a smartphone or tablet (U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Thailand). However, some airlines or border officers may request a printed copy — check with your carrier (TDAC.in.th). It’s advisable to save a screenshot or download the PDF in case of connectivity issues at the border.

Why this matters: you’re allowed to go paperless, but a single technical hiccup could slow your entry. A small piece of paper is cheap insurance.

What we know and what remains unclear

The distinction between confirmed and unclear information helps travelers navigate the new system with confidence.

Timeline: Key dates for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card

The shift is definitive — after April 30, no more paper forms, no more grace period.

What officials say

“All passengers must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card.”

— Thailand Immigration Bureau (official government portal)

“From May 1 2025, all non-Thai nationals entering Thailand are required to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card at least 3 days in advance.”

— U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Thailand (official U.S. government travel advisory)

The consequence: travelers who plan ahead — fill the form within the 3-day window and keep a backup QR — will glide through immigration. Those who ignore the requirement may find themselves on a return flight. For travelers landing in Bangkok from May 1, 2025, the message is clear: fill in the TDAC within the 3-day window, or risk being turned away at immigration.

For German-speaking travelers, there is also an ausführliche deutsche Anleitung that covers the same mandatory requirements and step-by-step application process.

Frequently asked questions

These FAQs cover the most common questions about the Thailand Digital Arrival Card.