Is Thailand’s Digital Arrival Card Required in 2025?

Last update: May 2025

If you're planning a trip to Thailand in 2025, there's one form you can’t skip. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is now a mandatory entry requirement for all foreign travelers. It replaces the old TM6 paper form and must be completed online before departure.

Airlines now ask to see the completed form before boarding, and Thai immigration expects it at entry. If it’s missing, you could experience delays or issues at the airport.

We can help you get it sorted ahead of time and arrive with everything in order.

Why Thailand replaced the TM6 with a Digital Arrival Card

For years, travelers arriving in Thailand filled out a small blue-and-white slip called the TM6 form. It was handed out on planes, completed by hand, and collected at immigration. That form is no longer in use.

Thailand officially discontinued the TM6 in favor of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which became mandatory in May 2025. The shift wasn’t just cosmetic. The new system was introduced to reduce wait times, prevent entry errors, and improve border efficiency.

The TDAC allows immigration officers to access passenger information before you even land, helping them move travelers through the line faster. It also cuts down on mistakes caused by messy handwriting, missing fields, or torn slips of paper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE THAILAND DIGITAL ARRIVAL CARD

Who has to fill out Thailand’s Digital Arrival Card?

Almost all international travelers entering Thailand are required to complete the TDAC. This includes visitors from visa-exempt countries and those arriving for short stays.

Here’s who needs to complete the form:

✈️ Foreign nationals entering Thailand

🌏 Travelers from visa-exempt countries

🔄 International passengers transiting through Thailand who pass through immigration

The following travelers are not required to submit the TDAC:

🪪 Thai citizens

🏠 Foreigners with permanent residence in Thailand

🌐 Border Pass holders entering through designated land checkpoints

🛬 Transit passengers who remain in the international zone and don’t go through immigration

What if you arrive in Thailand without the Digital Arrival Card?

Skipping the Thailand Digital Arrival Card isn’t something you want to gamble with. If it’s not completed before your flight, there’s a real chance the airline could refuse to check you in.

Even if you manage to board, immigration in Thailand may delay or deny your entry if the form is missing or filled out incorrectly. It’s not a conversation most travelers want to have at the end of a long-haul flight.

How to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online

Filling out the TDAC doesn’t take long, as long as you have the right information ready. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Passport details that match your flight booking

• Flight information and the address of your stay in Thailand

• Travel dates, including your arrival day

Many travelers try to complete forms like these through official government websites. Sometimes it works fine. Other times, the pages crash, forms time out, or nothing loads properly on mobile. Support is often limited, and it’s not always clear what went wrong.

That’s why more travelers are choosing to apply through iVisa. We’re not the Thai government; we’re a trusted private visa service provider that’s helped over 1 million people worldwide submit entry forms and travel documents. Our application process is fast, user-friendly, and designed to reduce common mistakes.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card FAQs

1. Is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card required for all travelers?

Yes. As of May 1, 2025, all foreign nationals entering Thailand by air, land, or sea must complete the TDAC before arrival. This applies to tourists, business travelers, and long-term residents, regardless of visa status. Thai citizens are exempt from this requirement.

2. When should I submit the TDAC before traveling to Thailand?

Travelers should submit the TDAC within 3 days prior to their arrival in Thailand. Completing it in advance ensures smoother processing at immigration checkpoints.

3. What information is needed to complete the TDAC?

To complete the TDAC, you'll need your passport details, flight information, accommodation address in Thailand, and travel dates. Ensure all information is accurate to avoid delays.

Still have questions?

Our customer support team is available to answer your questions about the Thailand Tourist eVisa or traveling to Thailand in general. Contact us anytime via WhatsApp or iVisa chat.