Entry into Thailand from May 1, 2025: How to Quickly Complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

Starting May 2025, Thailand will implement new border-crossing rules for all foreign travelers. Whether you're visiting for vacation, long-term stay, or a business trip, you'll now need to submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online in advance.

What's Changed: Key Points in Brief

From May 1, 2025:

The paper-based Arrival Card will be completely phased out.
Its digital equivalent, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), becomes mandatory for all foreigners entering Thailand.
The card must be completed online via the official immigration website, no earlier than 72 hours before entry.

Official TDAC Website:
🔗tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card/

Why is TDAC Required?

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is a pre-registration of your arrival in Thailand. It is not a visa, permit, or security check. Instead, it's simply an electronic replacement for the old paper form. However, it must now be completed before you board your flight, rather than during the flight or upon arrival at the airport.

The TDAC system helps to:

Automate the border entry process
Submit traveler data to immigration authorities in advance.
Reduce waiting times and speed up passport control processing.

Who Must Complete the TDAC?

All foreign nationals entering Thailand are required to complete the digital card, including those who:

Enter visa-free.
Hold tourist, student, work, or any other type of visa.
Enter via airports, seaports, or land border checkpoints.

There are no exceptions: If you are not a Thai citizen, you must complete the TDAC.

When and How to Submit TDAC?

📅 Submission timeframe: No earlier than 3 days (72 hours) before entry.
✈️ If you're arriving before May 1, 2025, no TDAC submission is required.
🕛 If your flight arrives late on April 30, and there's a chance you'll cross the border after midnight, it's safer to complete the TDAC in advance to avoid any potential issues.

TDAC Completion Guide

* Wherever dropdown menus are available in the form fields, it's more convenient to use them for faster and more accurate input.

Step 1: Go to the official TDAC portal

You can select your preferred language (e.g., English, Russian) at the top-right corner of the website.

👉 Official TDAC Application Portal

Step 2: Select "Arrival Card"

This is the correct section you need—the Arrival Card. Make sure not to confuse it with the "Departure" section, which you'll use later when leaving Thailand.

Step 3: Enter Your Personal Information. Fill in the following details:

Full name (in English letters);
Nationality, gender, and date of birth;
Passport information;
Country of current residence;
Contact phone number and occupation;
Visa number (if applicable).

Step 4: Provide Travel and Itinerary Details

You'll need to specify the following:

Date and country of departure – If you're flying with layovers, enter the last country in your travel route.
Purpose of travel – In most cases, select Holiday.
Mode of entry – Choose between airplane, car, or ferry.
Transport details – Enter your flight number, bus number, or other relevant vehicle information.
Departure date and exit route – Specify the date you plan to leave Thailand and how you intend to exit the country.

Note: If you're entering without a visa, indicate a stay of 60 days. You can later extend it by an additional 30 days, allowing a total stay of up to 90 days without any issues.

Step 5: Address of Stay in Thailand

Specify the type of accommodation — hotel, apartment, hostel, rented house, etc.
Enter the full address, including province, district, subdistrict, and postal code.
You can find the address on the hotel’s website or via Google Maps.

Step 6: Health and Additional Information

List all countries you have visited in the last 14 days before your trip. If you haven’t been to any other countries, simply enter your country of residence.
Add any accompanying travelers if you're not flying alone (for example, family members).
If a child is listed in your passport, you do not need to complete a separate TDAC for them.

Но если вы прилетаете 30 апреля вечером, а фактически окажетесь на паспортном контроле уже после полуночи 1 мая, то лучше заполнить TDAC заранее. Это простая мера предосторожности, которая может избавить от неприятных сюрпризов.

What Happens After Submission?

✅ Once you've completed the form, a confirmation screen will appear with the result:

You can immediately download the TDAC as a PDF or simply take a screenshot of the QR code.
A copy of the card will also be sent to the email address you provided.
If you made a mistake, it's easy to fix — just re-enter your details on the website to generate an updated card.

💡 Important: Some email providers may not receive TDAC emails reliably. It’s best to use Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook.

You can immediately download the TDAC as a PDF or simply take a screenshot of the QR code.

If you made a mistake, it's easy to fix — just re-enter your details on the website to generate an updated card.

What Happens If You Don’t Complete the TDAC?

You may be denied boarding at your departure airport.
You could be refused entry at the Thai border.

TDAC is not optional — it’s a mandatory requirement, just like a passport or visa.

What If I Have a Long History of Visa Runs and Stamps?

TDAC does not currently analyze your travel history. However, in the future, the system may sync with Thailand’s entry/exit database. Frequent “visa runners” might then face additional questions or scrutiny.
If you rely on visa runs to stay in Thailand, now is a good time to consider applying for a long-term visa.

Final Thoughts: Easier Than It Seems
Thailand isn’t trying to complicate things for travelers — quite the opposite. The TDAC is a move toward smarter, faster border processing that:

Simplifies your entry process
Eliminates paperwork
Takes just 2–3 minutes to complete

Once it’s done, you're free to enjoy your journey.
White-sand beaches, street food, and island sunsets are waiting for you.

👉 Complete your TDAC now: tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card