When to Submit Thailand Digital Arrival  Card? 

Foreign travelers should submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within 3 days  before arriving in Thailand, including the arrival date. The official TDAC FAQ says the  card should be submitted within 3 days in advance of arriving in Thailand, including the  date of arrival. 

This means you should not wait until the last moment if your passport, flight, hotel, and  travel details are already confirmed. Preparing early and submitting during the correct  window helps reduce stress before departure and makes your Thailand arrival smoother.

Important Notice 

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is an independent informational and traveler  assistance Google Site. This site helps travelers understand TDAC timing, required details,  updates, and common mistakes. 

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.” Travelers should understand that the official  TDAC process is free. Any independent service fee should be clearly disclosed as an  assistance, review, support, or optional travel-service fee — not as a government fee.  

Quick Answer: Best Time to Submit TDAC 

The best time to submit TDAC is as soon as your eligible 3-day submission window opens and your travel details are confirmed. 

For example: 

This is a practical example based on the official rule that TDAC should be submitted within 3  days before arrival, including the arrival date.

What Does “Within 3 Days Before Arrival” Mean?

“Within 3 days before arrival” means your TDAC should be submitted during the allowed  period before your arrival date in Thailand. The arrival date itself is included in this period. 

For example, if your Thailand arrival date is 20 June, you should prepare to submit TDAC  during the allowed period before that arrival date, including 20 June itself. 

This timing is important because submitting too early may not match the official submission  window, while submitting too late may create travel stress.

Should You Submit TDAC Exactly 3 Days Before  Arrival? 

You do not always need to submit it exactly 3 days before arrival. The better approach is to  submit it within the 3-day window, once your details are ready. 

Recommended timing: 

• Submit early in the allowed window if your flight and hotel are confirmed  • Submit at least before leaving for the airport, if possible  

• Avoid waiting until immigration arrival time  

• Keep enough time to correct mistakes or update details if needed  

• Save your confirmation immediately after submission

Can You Submit TDAC on the Same Day as Arrival? 

Yes, official guidance includes the arrival date within the 3-day submission period. This  means same-day submission may be possible, but it is not the best option unless necessary.  

Same-day submission can be risky because: 

• Airport internet may be slow  

• Your phone battery may be low  

• You may not have hotel details ready  

• You may type information incorrectly while rushing  

• You may not notice email confirmation issues  

• Airline or immigration processing may take longer

Best practice: submit earlier within the allowed period, not at the last minute.

Can You Submit TDAC Before the 3-Day Window?

Travelers should follow the official 3-day rule. The official TDAC guide says foreigners are required to submit arrival card information 3 days in advance of their arrival date in Thailand. 

If your trip is far away, you can still prepare your documents early, but wait until the eligible period before submitting the actual TDAC information.

Before your 3-day window opens, you can prepare:

Passport details 

• Flight details 

• Hotel address 

• Travel purpose 

• Email address 

• Health declaration details 

• Family traveler details 

• Visa details, if applicable 

TDAC Timing Example for Different Travelers

Example 1: Tourist Arriving by Flight

If your flight lands in Bangkok on 20 June, prepare your documents earlier and submit TDAC during the allowed 3-day period before arrival.

Example 2: Family Arriving in Phuket

If your family arrives in Phuket on 5 July, prepare every traveler’s passport and hotel details before the submission window opens.

Example 3: Land Border Traveler

If you enter Thailand by land on 12 August, submit TDAC within the 3-day period before that land arrival date.

Example 4: Cruise or Sea Arrival

If you arrive by cruise or sea route on 18 September, submit TDAC within the allowed 3-day period before arrival.

Foreigners entering Thailand by land, air, or sea must submit TDAC, unless a specific exemption applies. 

When Should Families Submit TDAC?

Families should prepare earlier because each traveler needs correct information. Children and infants also need TDAC, so parents should not wait until the last minute.

For family travel, prepare before the 3-day window:

• Passport details for each traveler 

• Date of birth for each traveler 

• Nationality for each traveler 

• Shared hotel address 

• Flight details 

• Health declaration details 

• Email address
  
  

Once the 3-day window opens, review each traveler’s information and submit carefully.

When Should Group Travelers Submit TDAC?

Group travelers should submit TDAC once the group’s travel details are confirmed and the eligible submission window opens. Group leaders should collect correct information from all travelers before starting.

For groups, avoid these timing mistakes:

• Waiting for one traveler’s missing passport details 

• Submitting before hotel details are finalized 

• Forgetting children or elderly travelers 

• Entering one traveler’s details incorrectly 

• Using an inaccessible email address 

• Waiting until airport check-in time
  
  

The official TDAC system supports both individual and group submission. 

What If Your Flight Date Changes?

If your arrival date changes after TDAC submission, you may need to update your TDAC information before travel. The official TDAC guide says submitted information can be updated anytime before travel.

You may need to update TDAC if:

• Your flight date changes 

• Your arrival time changes 

• Your arrival airport changes 

• Your hotel changes 

• Your Thailand address changes 

• Your travel route changes
  
  

Always check your updated flight and accommodation details before traveling.

Button Text:

Update TDAC Submission

What If Your Hotel Changes After Submission?

If your hotel or Thailand address changes before arrival, update your TDAC information if the system allows it. Your accommodation details should reflect your first stay in Thailand after arrival.

Examples:

• You changed from one Bangkok hotel to another 

• You changed from Phuket to Pattaya 

• Your first-night accommodation changed 

• You booked a villa instead of a hotel 

• You are now staying with family or friends
  
  

Accommodation information is part of the required TDAC details, so it should be accurate. 

What If You Forgot to Submit TDAC?

If you forgot to submit TDAC, complete it as soon as possible through the official process before entering Thailand. Same-day submission may be possible because the arrival date is included in the 3-day window, but you should avoid relying on last-minute submission.

If you are already at the airport or close to arrival:

• Use a stable internet connection 

• Keep your passport and flight details ready 

• Enter your hotel address carefully 

• Use an active email address 

• Save the confirmation immediately 

• Take a screenshot as backup 

Should You Wait Until Airline Check-In?
No. Do not wait until airline check-in unless you have no other option. Some travelers may complete the process close to departure, but best practice is to submit earlier within the allowed period.

Waiting until check-in can cause:

• Stress at the airport 

• Delayed boarding process 

• Data-entry mistakes 

• Email confirmation delays 

• Missing hotel details 

• Problems if mobile internet is unavailable
  
  

Submit TDAC calmly when you have time to review all details.

When to Save TDAC Confirmation
Save your TDAC confirmation immediately after submission. Do not wait until arrival.

After submission:

• Save the confirmation email 

• Download the document, if available 

• Take a screenshot of the QR code, if shown 

• Keep a printed copy as backup, if possible 

• Make sure the file is available offline 

• Share it with your travel partner if needed
  
  

The official FAQ says travelers should download the document with the QR code and can present it on a phone or other device; printing is not mandatory but may be useful as backup. 

TDAC Timing for Transit Passengers

Transit passengers only need TDAC if they pass through immigration or leave the airport. If you remain inside the international transit area and do not pass immigration, TDAC is not required.

You need TDAC if:

• 
  You leave the airport 

• You collect baggage and enter Thailand 

• You stay overnight outside the transit area 

• You pass through immigration before your next flight 

• You self-transfer through Thailand
  
  

The official FAQ says TDAC is not required if the traveler is not passing through immigration, but it is required if the traveler leaves the airport. 

TDAC Is Required for Every Entry
TDAC is for one-time travel based on the expected arrival date. If you leave Thailand and enter again later, you should submit a new TDAC for the next entry.

The official FAQ says TDAC is valid for one-time use for travel on the expected arrival date, and travelers must submit a new TDAC every time they enter Thailand. 

Common TDAC Timing Mistakes

Avoid these timing mistakes:

• Waiting until the airport check-in counter 

• Trying to submit too far before arrival 

• Forgetting the arrival date is included in the 3-day period 

• Submitting with an old flight date 

• Not updating after flight changes 

• Not updating after hotel changes 

• Forgetting children or group travelers 

• Not saving the confirmation after submission 

• Thinking TDAC is valid for multiple entries 

• Assuming TDAC is the same as a visa 

TDAC Timing Checklist
Before submitting, confirm:

• 
  My arrival date in Thailand is confirmed 

• I am within the correct TDAC submission period 

• My passport details are ready 

• My flight or travel details are ready 

• My first Thailand address is ready 

• My health declaration details are ready 

• My email address is active 

• My children or family members are included, if applicable 

• I have time to review all information before submission 

• I will save my confirmation after submission
  
  

Button Text:

Apply for TDAC Online

Important Safety Warning
Travelers should be careful with TDAC-related websites. Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has warned foreign travelers about fraudulent websites offering TDAC services for a fee and emphasized that the official TDAC process is mandatory but free through official government channels.
 

Before using any independent TDAC assistance site, check:

• Clear disclaimer 

• Clear service fee disclosure 

• Privacy policy 

• Data protection policy 

• Contact information 

• Secure form handling 

• No false government branding 

• No guaranteed immigration approval claim 

FAQs for When to Submit TDAC Page

When should I submit TDAC?

You should submit TDAC within 3 days before arriving in Thailand, including the arrival date. 

Can I submit TDAC on the day of arrival?

Yes, the arrival date is included in the 3-day submission period, but it is better to submit earlier within the allowed window to avoid last-minute stress. 

Can I submit TDAC one week before arrival?

You should follow the official 3-day timing rule. Prepare your documents earlier, but submit TDAC during the allowed period before arrival. 

What happens if my flight changes after submitting TDAC?

You may need to update your TDAC information before travel. The official guide says submitted information can be updated anytime before travel. 

Do I need a new TDAC for every trip?

Yes. TDAC is valid for one-time use for the expected arrival date, so you must submit a new TDAC every time you enter Thailand. 

Should families submit TDAC earlier?

Families should prepare documents earlier, then submit within the correct 3-day window. Children and infants also need TDAC, so family applications need more careful review.

Do transit passengers need to submit TDAC?

Transit passengers do not need TDAC if they do not pass through immigration. If they leave the airport or pass through immigration, TDAC is required. 

Is TDAC free?

The official TDAC website states “No Fees.” Any independent service fee should be disclosed separately as assistance or support, not as a government fee.