Search for an Arrival Card online, and both government websites and travel document services such as iVisa may appear in the results. So does applying through a third-party service like iVisa get you the same document as the one the government issues?
Yes, the Arrival Card received through iVisa is the official government Arrival Card required for the trip.
So, what’s the difference between applying with us or doing it yourself through the government website? At iVisa. our core service bases in helping travelers get their documents in a super easy and convenient way, with user-friendly forms, customer support, guidance, and the chance of applying to many travel documents at the same time, among other benefits. You can always still apply through the government's platforms, but we offer a premium service for travelers who look for convenience and a smooth process.
So, in short, the destination’s government sets the requirements to get the arrival card, and remains responsible to finally approve the Arrival Card itself, and we’ll make the process smooth for the traveler and deliver it to your email’s inbox.
How does an Arrival Card application through iVisa work?
The destination government determines who needs an Arrival Card, what information must be provided, and when it needs to be submitted. Using iVisa doesn't change any of those requirements.
Thailand's Digital Arrival Card is a good example.
The Thai Immigration Bureau's Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) requires travelers to provide passport details, travel information, accommodation details in Thailand, and certain health information.
![A infographic on how to check your TDAC]()
What we provide is another way to complete the application.
Instead of completing the government application independently, travelers can use the iVisa Thailand Digital Arrival Card application.
We collect the information required for the TDAC through our guided application, check it for common mistakes or missing information, and submit it via the appropriate process.
This isn't simply iVisa's description of how the process works. The Thai government's official TDAC FAQs explicitly confirm that a travel agency may submit a TDAC on a client's behalf when authorized and provided with the necessary information.
That's the role iVisa plays: we help with the application process, while the underlying requirements and the final document are issued by the government, and delivered by iVisa to your inbox in case you applied through our website or app.
What will I receive, and how can I check it?
Once your Arrival Card is approved, we deliver it straight to your email inbox, and you can also download it anytime from your iVisa account. The exact format depends on the destination: a downloadable document, a QR code, a reference number, or another form of digital confirmation.
If yours is taking longer than expected, or you run into any issue along the way, our support team is available 24/7 to help - just reach out via visa chat, WhatsApp, or email. That said, it’s rare that you’ll need to: 99% of our applicants get approved, since iVisa’s expert review is built to catch errors before submission in the first place.
If you’re applying by yourself and wondering how you’ll get your Arrival Card delivered, here’s how that works.
For Thailand, the official TDAC guidance states that after successful submission, the TDAC can be downloaded and is also sent to the provided email address. The completed TDAC includes a QR code that can be kept digitally or printed as a backup.
Either way you apply, there’s also a practical way to double-check the submission. Thailand’s official Update Arrival Card function allows an existing TDAC to be retrieved using:
- The TDAC number
- Date of birth
- Nationality of citizenship
This gives travelers a practical way to confirm that the TDAC details they received correspond to a submission in Thailand’s official government system.
Not every destination provides the same retrieval function, so the way an Arrival Card can be checked varies. Some use Q codes, reference numbers, digital records, or other government systems.
Why does the iVisa application look different from the government application?
Because the form completed on iVisa is one we have designed.
We take the information required by the government and turn it into a guided application. Questions may appear in a different order, be broken into smaller steps, or include additional explanations.
We also check the information for common errors, missing details, and inconsistencies before submission.
This is particularly useful where mistakes are difficult to correct later. For example, Thailand's TDAC system allows some information to be updated after submission, but its FAQs state that details such as full name, nationality or citizenship, date of birth, and passport number cannot be changed using the standard update function. If one of these details is incorrect, a new TDAC must be submitted.
The different-looking iVisa form is therefore part of the service, not a different type of Arrival Card.
Can I apply directly through the government instead?
Yes.
Where a government offers a direct application option, travelers can complete the process themselves.
For Thailand, travelers can complete the official TDAC application directly with the government at no charge.
For someone comfortable completing the form, checking the information, and managing the process independently, that may be all they need.
iVisa charges a service fee for an alternative application experience that includes guidance, pre-submission checks, tracking, and customer support.
Both routes are valid and secure you a government-issued Arrival Card. The difference is the application experience.
Why is there an iVisa fee?
The iVisa fee pays for the additional application service.
Any government fee is set by the relevant authority, and some Arrival Cards may be free when completed directly through the government's website.
The iVisa service fee can cover:
- the guided application platform
- checks for common errors and missing information
- review of information and supporting documents
- application processing and submission
- tracking
- customer support
Applying directly is the right choice for travelers who are comfortable managing the process themselves. iVisa is there for those who would rather have guidance, application checks, and support along the way.
Either way, the distinction is straightforward: the application experience is iVisa's. The Arrival Card is the government's.
