The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is an online arrival card system for foreign travelers entering Thailand. It replaces the old paper arrival card process and allows travelers to submit important entry information before reaching immigration. The official TDAC guide states that all non-Thai nationals entering Thailand must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before entry.
This guide explains what TDAC is, who needs it, when to submit it, what information is required, how to avoid common mistakes, and what travelers should keep ready before arriving in Thailand.
Important Notice
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is an independent informational and traveler assistance Google Site. This site is created to help travelers understand TDAC requirements, prepare the correct information, avoid common errors, and access helpful arrival guidance.
This site is not the official Thai Immigration website, not a government authority, and not affiliated with Thai Immigration, any embassy, or any government department.
The official TDAC website states “No Fees”, so travelers should understand that TDAC itself is not a paid government form. If any independent service charges a fee, it should be clearly explained as an assistance, review, support, or travel service fee — not as a government fee.
What Is Thailand Digital Arrival Card?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card, also called TDAC, is a digital arrival information form used by Thailand for foreign visitors. Instead of filling out a paper arrival card at the airport or border checkpoint, travelers submit their arrival details online before entering Thailand.
TDAC helps collect important information such as:
• Passport details
• Personal information
• Arrival information
• Accommodation address in Thailand
• Health declaration details
• Travel purpose
• Contact details
TDAC is designed to make Thailand’s arrival process more organized and digital. The Tourism Authority of Thailand also describes TDAC as a required online form for non-Thai nationals entering Thailand by air, land, or sea.
Is TDAC a Visa?
No. TDAC is not a visa.
TDAC is only an arrival card requirement. It does not replace Thailand visa rules, visa exemption rules, visa-on-arrival rules, work permit rules, or immigration officer decisions.
Travelers still need to check whether they require:
• Visa exemption
• Visa on arrival
• Tourist visa
• Business visa
• Student visa
• Long-stay visa
• Re-entry permit
• Work permit, if applicable
Even if your TDAC is completed, immigration entry approval is still decided by the competent immigration authorities at the time of arrival.
Who Needs Thailand Digital Arrival Card?
TDAC is required for non-Thai nationals entering Thailand. This includes travelers visiting for tourism, business, family visits, medical travel, education, events, short stays, or long stays.
You may need TDAC if you are:
• A tourist entering Thailand
• A business traveler
• A family visitor
• A student
• A long-stay traveler
• A visa-exempt traveler
• A visa-on-arrival traveler
• A foreign resident returning to Thailand
• A traveler entering Thailand by air, land, or sea
The official TDAC FAQ confirms that foreigners entering Thailand by land, air, or sea must submit TDAC.
Do Children and Infants Need TDAC?
Yes. Children and infants also need TDAC.
If you are traveling with family, you should prepare TDAC details for every traveler, including babies and children. Parents or guardians should make sure each child’s passport details, arrival date, accommodation address, and required travel information are entered correctly.
The official TDAC FAQ confirms that all travelers, including infants and children, are required to have a TDAC.
When Should You Submit TDAC?
Travelers should submit TDAC within 3 days before arriving in Thailand, including the arrival date. For example, if you are arriving in Thailand on 20 June, you should prepare to submit TDAC during the eligible 3-day period before your arrival.
The official TDAC guide states that foreigners are required to submit arrival card information 3 days in advance of their arrival date in Thailand.
Best practice:
• Prepare documents early
• Check your flight and hotel details before submission
• Submit once your eligible 3-day window opens
• Do not wait until the last minute
• Save your TDAC confirmation after submission
What Information Is Required for TDAC?
Before starting the TDAC process, keep all details ready. The required information may include passport, personal, travel, accommodation, and health declaration details.
Prepare the following:
Passport Information
• Passport number
• Full name as shown on passport
• Nationality / citizenship
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Passport issue country
Travel Information
• Arrival date
• Flight number or transport details
• Mode of arrival: air, land, or sea
• Country or place of departure
• Purpose of travel
Accommodation Information
• Hotel name
• Thailand address
• Province / city
• District or area, if available
• Contact number, if available
Health Declaration Information
• Recent travel history
• Countries visited before arrival
• Health declaration answers
• Other required arrival-related details
The official guide mentions passport information, personal information, travel information, accommodation information in Thailand, and health declaration information as part of the TDAC submission process.
How the TDAC Process Works
The TDAC process is usually simple when your details are ready. Travelers should carefully enter the required information, review it, submit it, and save the confirmation.
A simple process looks like this:
Step 1: Prepare Your Documents
Keep your passport, flight details, hotel booking, and email address ready before starting.
Step 2: Enter Personal Details
Fill in your name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, and other personal details exactly as shown on your passport.
Step 3: Enter Arrival Details
Add your arrival date, travel method, flight number, border entry point, or transport details.
Step 4: Enter Thailand Address
Provide the hotel, residence, or first accommodation address where you will stay after arrival.
Step 5: Complete Health Declaration
Answer the required travel and health declaration questions honestly.
Step 6: Review and Submit
Check all information carefully before submitting.
Step 7: Save Confirmation
Keep your TDAC confirmation, email, or QR code ready for travel.
TDAC for Families and Groups
Families and groups should prepare traveler information for each person before starting. This helps avoid missing details and makes the process smoother.
For family and group TDAC preparation, collect:
• Passport details for every traveler
• Date of birth for each traveler
• Nationality for each traveler
• Same or different hotel address
• Flight details
• Health declaration details
• Email address for confirmation
The official guide supports both individual and group TDAC submission.
TDAC for Transit Passengers
Transit rules depend on whether you pass through immigration.
If you are only connecting through Thailand and do not pass through immigration, TDAC may not be required. If you leave the airport, enter Thailand, collect baggage and re-check in, stay at a hotel, or pass immigration control, TDAC is required.
The official FAQ says TDAC is not required if you are not passing through immigration, but it is required if you leave the airport.
Can You Update TDAC After Submission?
Yes. Some TDAC information can be updated before travel. This is useful if your hotel changes, flight changes, arrival date changes, or you notice an error after submission.
You may need to update TDAC if:
• Your hotel changed
• Your arrival flight changed
• Your arrival date changed
• Your Thailand address changed
• You entered incomplete accommodation details
• You made a typing mistake
• Your travel plan changed before arrival
However, important identity fields may not be editable in the same way, so always review your details carefully before submitting.
Common TDAC Mistakes to Avoid
Many travelers make small mistakes while completing arrival information. These errors can create confusion during travel.
Avoid these common TDAC mistakes:
• Entering a nickname instead of passport name
• Typing the wrong passport number
• Selecting the wrong nationality
• Choosing the wrong arrival date
• Entering the wrong flight number
• Using an email address you cannot access
• Leaving hotel address incomplete
• Forgetting children or infants
• Assuming TDAC is a visa
• Not saving the confirmation
• Waiting until the last minute
Always check your passport, flight ticket, and hotel booking before submitting.
What to Do After TDAC Submission
After completing TDAC, keep your confirmation safe. You may need to show it during travel or when requested by airline staff or immigration officers.
Recommended steps after submission:
• Save the TDAC confirmation email
• Take a screenshot of the QR code, if provided
• Download a copy to your phone
• Print a backup copy, if possible
• Keep passport and travel documents together
• Make sure your email is accessible while traveling
• Share a copy with a family member if traveling in a group
The official FAQ says travelers should download the document with the QR code and can show it on a phone or device; printing can be used as a backup.
TDAC and Thailand Visa Rules
TDAC does not replace a visa. Travelers must separately check whether they are eligible for visa exemption, visa on arrival, tourist visa, business visa, or another visa category.
Before travel, check:
• Your nationality
• Your purpose of visit
• Your length of stay
• Your visa exemption eligibility
• Your visa-on-arrival eligibility
• Passport validity
• Return or onward travel requirements
• Hotel booking and funds, if required
TDAC is only one part of the Thailand entry preparation process.
Why This TDAC Guide Is Useful
This guide is created to help travelers understand the Thailand Digital Arrival Card in simple language. It is especially useful for travelers who are applying for the first time, traveling with family, visiting Thailand from another country, or unsure about required documents.
This guide helps you:
• Understand what TDAC means
• Know who needs TDAC
• Prepare documents before applying
• Submit within the correct time window
• Avoid common mistakes
• Understand family and group requirements
• Learn when updates may be needed
• Prepare for a smoother Thailand arrival
Quick TDAC Checklist
Before entering Thailand, make sure you have:
• Valid passport
• Arrival date
• Flight or travel details
• Hotel or Thailand address
• Email access
• Health declaration details
• TDAC confirmation
• Visa or visa exemption eligibility, if required
• Travel insurance, if needed
• Backup copy of important documents
Important Safety Reminder
Travelers should be careful when using third-party TDAC websites. Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has warned travelers about fraudulent websites offering TDAC-related services for a fee, while emphasizing that the official TDAC process is free and should be completed through official channels.
For any independent assistance website, always check:
• Clear service fee disclosure
• Clear privacy policy
• Clear disclaimer
• Secure form handling
• Transparent contact details
• No false government claims
• No misleading approval guarantees
FAQs for Thailand Digital Arrival Card Guide
What is TDAC?
TDAC stands for Thailand Digital Arrival Card. It is an online arrival card for foreign travelers entering Thailand.
Is TDAC required for Thailand?
Yes. All non-Thai nationals entering Thailand are required to complete TDAC online before entry.
When should I submit TDAC?
You should submit TDAC within 3 days before arriving in Thailand, including the arrival date.
Is TDAC a visa?
No. TDAC is not a visa. It is an arrival card requirement. You must still follow Thailand’s visa rules based on your nationality and travel purpose.
Do children need TDAC?
Yes. Infants and children also need TDAC.
Do transit passengers need TDAC?
If you are not passing through immigration, TDAC is not required. If you leave the airport or pass through immigration, TDAC is required.
Can I update TDAC after submission?
Yes, some information can be updated before travel. However, you should review all details carefully before submitting because important identity details may be restricted.
Is TDAC free?
The official TDAC website states “No Fees.” Independent assistance services should clearly disclose any support or service fee separately from the official TDAC process