Thailand Digital Arrival Card: What Travelers Must Know

Last update: May 2025

Thailand just phased out its old TM6 paper form and replaced it with a Digital Arrival Card: a faster, smarter way to provide your travel info before you land. But here’s the catch: It’s now mandatory for most travelers. Skip it, and you could face delays at check-in or immigration.

Whether you’re flying in for a beach break or a business meeting, this update changes how you enter the country. In this guide, we’ll explain who needs the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, how to complete it, and why getting it done early matters.

What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is the new version of what used to be the TM6 paper form - a short immigration form that travelers filled out before entering Thailand.

Now, instead of dealing with a paper slip mid-flight or at the airport, visitors submit their arrival details online. It’s designed to speed things up at immigration and reduce manual processing at entry points.

The digital card is required for most travelers arriving by air, land, or sea, regardless of whether you're visiting for tourism, business, or transit. It officially launched in May 2025, and it's now part of the standard entry process for both visa-exempt visitors and those with valid visas.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE THAILAND DIGITAL ARRIVAL CARD

Who needs to complete the Digital Arrival Card?

If you're entering Thailand, there's a good chance you'll need to submit the Digital Arrival Card before your trip. It's required for most travelers from visa-exempt countries, including citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Japan, and South Korea, as well as anyone traveling with an approved Thai eVisa. As long as you're going through immigration, this form is part of the entry process.

There are a couple of exceptions:

• Travelers transiting through Thailand without passing through immigration don’t need to complete it.

• If you're entering with a Border Pass, typically used for short visits from neighboring countries, you're also exempt.

For everyone else, the digital form is mandatory. Skipping it could lead to longer wait times or even problems checking in for your flight.

Just to be clear - this isn’t a visa. It doesn’t replace one, and it doesn’t guarantee entry either. It’s a separate border control requirement that helps Thai authorities prepare for your arrival by collecting a few key details in advance.

What happens if I don’t complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

Skipping the Thailand Digital Arrival Card might seem like a small thing, but it can create real problems on your travel day.

Most airlines are now required to check that you’ve submitted the form before they allow you to check in. If it’s missing, they can stop you right there at the counter. Even if you board your flight, immigration in Thailand may delay your entry until the form is completed. Some travelers have been pulled aside to fill it out at the airport, adding unnecessary stress and time to what should have been a smooth arrival.

Fortunately, the form is quick to complete online. Taking care of it in advance helps you avoid delays, questions, or complications at the worst possible moment.

How to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online

Here’s what you’ll need to provide when filling out the Thailand Digital Arrival Card:

• Your personal details (name, nationality, date of birth)

• Passport information (passport number, expiration date)

• Travel details (flight information, where you’re staying in Thailand, travel dates)

You can choose to complete the form on the official government website, but the experience isn’t always traveler-friendly. The site may be down without warning. Forms can be vague or confusing, especially if your trip doesn’t follow the usual pattern. If something’s entered incorrectly, there’s rarely any feedback to help you fix it.

If you choose to use our service, we’ve simplified the process into a quick, guided form you can complete in just a few minutes. Our platform checks for common errors, offers experienced customer support along the way, and sends your confirmation once everything’s sorted.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card FAQs

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

Yes, as of May 1, 2025, all non-Thai nationals entering Thailand by air, land, or sea must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before arrival. This requirement applies to tourists, business travelers, and long-term residents. Exceptions include travelers transiting through Thailand without passing through immigration control and those entering using a Border Pass.

2. When should I submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

The TDAC should be submitted within three days (72 hours) prior to your scheduled arrival in Thailand. Completing it within this timeframe ensures a smoother entry process at immigration checkpoints.

3. What information is required to complete the TDAC?

To complete the TDAC, you'll need to provide your personal details (full name, nationality, date of birth), passport information (number, expiration date), travel details (flight number, arrival date, accommodation address in Thailand), and health information depending on your recent travel history.

4. Do children need to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

Yes, every non-Thai national entering Thailand, regardless of age, is required to complete a TDAC. For families traveling together, each member must have a separate TDAC submission.

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.