Who Needs Thailand Digital Arrival Card? 

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is required for all non-Thai nationals  entering Thailand. This includes foreign travelers arriving for tourism, business, family  visits, study, long stays, medical travel, events, or other permitted travel purposes. 

The official TDAC guide says that all non-Thai nationals entering the Kingdom of  Thailand are required to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before  entry. TDAC applies to travelers entering Thailand by land, air, or sea.  

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 correct information, avoid common mistakes, 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.” Any independent service fee should be clearly  disclosed as an assistance, review, support, or optional travel-service fee — not as a Thai  government fee.  

Quick Answer: Who Needs TDAC? 

You need TDAC if you are a foreign traveler entering Thailand. 

TDAC is generally required for: 

• Tourists  

• Business travelers  

• Visa-on-arrival travelers  

• Visa-exempt travelers  

• Long-stay visa holders 

• Students  

• Family visitors  

• Foreign residents entering Thailand  

• Children and infants  

• Diplomatic passport holders, if they are non-Thai nationals  

• Travelers entering by air, land, or sea  

The official TDAC FAQ confirms that children need TDAC, foreign arrivals by land, air, or  sea must submit TDAC, and diplomatic passport holders need TDAC if they are non-Thai  nationals.  

Tourists Visiting Thailand 

Tourists visiting Thailand for holidays, sightseeing, shopping, beaches, nightlife, wellness,  family trips, or short vacations need TDAC before arrival. 

This includes travelers visiting: 

• Bangkok  

• Phuket  

• Pattaya  

• Krabi  

• Chiang Mai  

• Koh Samui  

• Hua Hin  

• Phi Phi Islands  

• Chiang Rai  

• Other Thailand destinations  

Even if you are visiting for only a few days, TDAC is still required if you are a non-Thai  national entering Thailand.

Business Travelers 

Business travelers also need TDAC when entering Thailand. This applies whether you are  attending meetings, exhibitions, conferences, trade shows, company visits, training, or other  business-related activities. 

Business travelers should prepare: 

• Passport details  

• Arrival date  

• Flight details  

• Hotel or business address in Thailand  

• Purpose of travel 

• Email address  

• Health declaration details  

TDAC is an arrival card requirement and does not replace business visa rules or work  authorization requirements.

Visa-Exempt Travelers 

If your nationality allows visa-free or visa-exempt entry to Thailand, you still need TDAC. 

TDAC is separate from visa exemption. Visa exemption may allow you to enter Thailand  without applying for a visa in advance, but TDAC is still required as an arrival information  form. 

The official TDAC FAQ says TDAC is compatible with visa-exempt entries.  

Visa-on-Arrival Travelers 

Travelers using visa on arrival also need TDAC. TDAC does not replace the visa-on-arrival  process and does not guarantee visa approval. 

Visa-on-arrival travelers should prepare: 

• Passport  

• Arrival flight details  

• Hotel address  

• Return or onward travel details, if required  

• Visa-on-arrival documents, if required  

• TDAC confirmation  

The official TDAC FAQ confirms that TDAC is compatible with visa-on-arrival entries. 

Long-Stay and Returning Foreign Residents 

Foreign nationals living in Thailand or returning with long-stay permission should also  complete TDAC before entering Thailand. 

This may include: 

• Long-stay visa holders  

• Retirement visa holders  

• Student visa holders 

• Work visa holders  

• Business visa holders  

• Thailand Privilege / Elite visa holders  

• Foreign residents returning from overseas  

TDAC is based on foreign nationality entering Thailand, not only on tourist status.

Students Entering Thailand 

Foreign students entering Thailand need TDAC before arrival. This includes students arriving  for school, university, language study, exchange programs, training, or education-related  purposes. 

Students should prepare: 

• Passport details  

• Student visa details, if applicable  

• Arrival flight details  

• Accommodation address  

• School or university address, if useful  

• Email address  

TDAC does not replace student visa or education visa requirements.

Children and Infants 

Children and infants also need TDAC. Parents or guardians should prepare their details  before applying. 

For each child, prepare: 

• Passport number  

• Full name as shown on passport  

• Date of birth  

• Nationality  

• Arrival date  

• Flight or travel details  

• Accommodation address  

• Health declaration details  

The official FAQ clearly says all travelers, including infants and children, are required to  have a TDAC.

Families and Groups 

Families and groups entering Thailand should make sure every traveler is included. One adult  or group leader may help prepare the information, but each traveler’s passport and arrival  details must be accurate. 

Family and group travelers should prepare: 

• Passport details for each person  

• Arrival details for each person  

• Shared or separate accommodation address  

• Children’s details  

• Health declaration details  

• Active email address  

The official TDAC guide supports both individual and group submission. 

Travelers Entering by Air 

Foreign travelers arriving by international flight need TDAC before entering Thailand. This includes arrivals at airports such as: 

• Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok  

• Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok  

• Phuket International Airport  

• Chiang Mai International Airport  

• Krabi International Airport  

• Samui International Airport  

• Other Thailand airports  

Travelers should enter the correct arrival flight number and arrival date.

Travelers Entering by Land 

Foreign travelers entering Thailand by land border also need TDAC. This may include  travelers arriving from nearby countries such as Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, or Myanmar  through official border checkpoints. 

Prepare: 

• Passport details  

• Land border checkpoint  

• Arrival date 

• Thailand address  

• Travel purpose  

• Health declaration information  

The official FAQ confirms that foreigners entering Thailand by land must submit TDAC. 

Travelers Entering by Sea 

Foreign travelers entering Thailand by sea also need TDAC. This may include cruise  passengers, yacht arrivals, ferry passengers, or other sea-route travelers entering through  immigration. 

Prepare: 

• Passport details  

• Vessel or cruise details, if required  

• Arrival port  

• Arrival date  

• Thailand accommodation or stay details  

• Health declaration information  

The official FAQ confirms that foreigners entering Thailand by sea must submit TDAC. 

Transit Passengers 

Transit passengers may or may not need TDAC depending on whether they pass through  immigration. 

You may not need TDAC if: 

• You remain inside the international transit area  

• You do not pass through Thai immigration  

• You do not enter Thailand  

• You do not collect baggage and re-check in through immigration  

You need TDAC if: 

• You leave the airport  

• You pass through immigration  

• You collect baggage and enter Thailand  

• You stay overnight outside the transit area  

• You have a self-transfer that requires immigration clearance  

The official FAQ says TDAC is not required if you are not passing through immigration, but  it is required if you leave the airport. 

Diplomatic Passport Holders 

Diplomatic passport holders need TDAC if they are non-Thai nationals entering Thailand. 

The official FAQ says diplomatic passport holders do need to fill out TDAC if they are non Thai nationals. 

Airline Crew and Transport Crew 

Airline or transport crew may have different rules. The official TDAC FAQ says crew do not  need to submit TDAC.  

However, crew members should always follow airline, employer, immigration, and border  authority instructions because operational travel rules may differ from normal passenger  travel.

Who May Not Need TDAC? 

Based on official FAQ guidance, TDAC may not be required for: 

• Thai nationals  

• Transit passengers who do not pass through immigration  

• Crew members  

• Certain travelers using border pass arrangements, where applicable  

Travelers should still verify their own situation before travel, especially if they have a special  entry document, border pass, crew status, or unusual transit route.

TDAC Is Required for Every Entry 

TDAC is normally valid for one-time travel on the expected arrival date stated in the  submission. If you leave Thailand and enter again later, you should prepare a new TDAC for  the next entry. 

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

TDAC Does Not Replace Visa Rules 

TDAC is not a visa. Even if you need TDAC, you must still check whether you need a visa or  whether you qualify for visa exemption or visa on arrival. 

Before traveling, check: 

• Your nationality  

• Your visa requirement  

• Your permitted length of stay  

• Passport validity  

• Return or onward ticket requirement  

• Hotel booking or address proof  

• Funds requirement, if applicable  

TDAC helps collect arrival information. It does not guarantee entry into Thailand.

Simple TDAC Eligibility Checklist 

You likely need TDAC if: 

• You are not a Thai national  

• You are entering Thailand  

• You will pass through immigration  

• You are arriving by air, land, or sea  

• You are traveling as a tourist, business traveler, student, family visitor, or long-stay  traveler  

• You are using visa exemption, visa on arrival, or another visa type  

• You are a child or infant traveler  

• You are re-entering Thailand as a foreign national

Important Safety Warning 

Travelers should be careful when using TDAC-related websites. Thailand’s Immigration  Bureau has warned foreign travelers about fraudulent websites falsely offering TDAC  services for a fee, while stating that the official TDAC process is mandatory but free and  should be completed 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 Who Needs TDAC Page

Who needs TDAC? 

All non-Thai nationals entering Thailand need TDAC before entry. The official TDAC guide  says all non-Thai nationals entering Thailand must complete TDAC online before entry. 

Do tourists need TDAC?

Yes. Foreign tourists entering Thailand need TDAC.

Do children need TDAC?

Yes. All travelers, including infants and children, are required to have TDAC. 

Do visa-on-arrival travelers need TDAC? 

Yes. TDAC is compatible with visa-on-arrival entries, so visa-on-arrival travelers still need  TDAC.  

Do visa-exempt travelers need TDAC? 

Yes. TDAC is compatible with visa-exempt entries, so visa-exempt travelers still need TDAC.  

Do transit passengers need 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.  

Do foreign residents need TDAC? 

Yes. Foreign nationals entering Thailand should complete TDAC even if they are returning  residents or long-stay visa holders.

Do Thai nationals need TDAC? 

No. TDAC applies to non-Thai nationals entering Thailand. 

Do crew members need TDAC? 

The official FAQ says crew do not need to submit TDAC.  

Is TDAC required for land and sea entry? 

Yes. Foreigners entering Thailand by land, air, or sea must submit TDAC.