Thailand replaced its paper arrival card with an online form, and every foreign visitor has to fill it in. It is free, it takes about 5 to 10 minutes, and it must be submitted in the three days before you land. Here is how to do it without paying a copycat site.
Quick Answer
- What it is: The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), an online replacement for the paper arrival card
- Cost: Free; sites that charge a “processing fee” are not the official channel
- When to submit: Within 72 hours (3 days) of arrival, counting the day you land
- Who must file: All foreign travelers, including visa-exempt tourists
- Exempt: Transit passengers who stay in the transit area, and border pass holders using official land crossing schemes
- Official site: tdac.immigration.go.th
What Is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is an online form that foreign nationals complete before entering Thailand. Trip.com’s arrival guide says it applies to entry by air, land and sea. Most 2026 guides say it has been mandatory since 1 May 2025.
It is not a visa and it does not change how long you can stay. It collects the details that used to go on the paper card, and you receive a QR code to show at immigration.
Who Has to Submit a TDAC?
Every foreign traveler entering Thailand needs one, including tourists who enter visa-free. Trip.com lists only two exemptions:
- Transit passengers who stay in the international transit area and never clear Thai immigration.
- Border pass holders entering through official Thai land border crossing schemes.
Each traveler files separately, so a family of four completes four forms.
How Do You Submit the TDAC?
Use only the official site, tdac.immigration.go.th. Have your passport and booking details open before you start.
- Wait until you are inside the 72-hour window. For a 1 March landing, Trip.com says you can submit from 28 February.
- Enter your passport number, name as printed, date of birth, nationality, occupation, gender and an international contact number.
- Add your arrival date, travel mode, flight or vehicle number and country of embarkation.
- Enter your first-night address in Thailand, or a hotel name and city.
- Complete the health section: 14-day travel history and current health status, plus yellow fever proof if you are arriving from a high-risk area.
- Submit, then save the QR code PDF that is emailed to you within minutes.
Trip.com estimates 5 to 10 minutes with your details ready and recommends submitting one to two days before you fly.
Does the TDAC Cost Money?
No. The TDAC is free. Trip.com states there is no fee for submission and warns that any charge is fraudulent. Another guide in the search results says copycat sites charge roughly US$15 to 30 for a “processing fee” that does not exist.
If a site asks for payment before it shows you the form, close it and go to the official address above.
Tuk-tuks wait under the neon of a rainy Bangkok night
TDAC Quick Reference: What Do You Need to Know Before You Fly?
The table below pulls together the rules that the 2026 guides agree on.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is it free? | Yes, no fee for submission |
| Submission window | Within 72 hours of arrival, including arrival day |
| Who files | All foreign travelers, including visa-exempt visitors |
| Entry modes covered | Air, land and sea |
| Proof at immigration | QR code from the emailed PDF |
| Time to complete | About 5 to 10 minutes |
| Exemptions | Airside transit passengers; border pass holders on official land crossings |
| Departure date | Optional on the form |
The TDAC is separate from any visa or fee rules. Several outlets have reported proposals to shorten Thailand’s 60-day visa-free stay or add a tourist entry fee, but the guides reviewed for this article describe them as not yet in force, so check the Thai embassy or immigration website for your own trip dates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card free?
Yes. Trip.com’s guide says there is no fee for submission and that any charge is fraudulent. Use only the official site, tdac.immigration.go.th.
How many days before arrival can I submit the TDAC?
Within 72 hours (3 days) of arrival, counting the day you land. For a 1 March arrival you can submit from 28 February.
Do visa-free tourists need a TDAC?
Yes. Every foreign traveler needs one, whether or not they hold a visa. The only exemptions are airside transit passengers and border pass holders using official land crossing schemes.
What information does the TDAC ask for?
Passport and personal details, travel details such as flight number and arrival date, your first-night address in Thailand, and a health section with 14-day travel history.
What happens after I submit the TDAC?
You get an on-screen confirmation, and a PDF with your QR code is emailed within minutes. Save it to your phone to show at immigration.
Final Thoughts
The TDAC is a five-minute task that is easy to get wrong only by paying for it. Submit it yourself on the official site inside the 72-hour window, save the QR code offline, and check the Thai immigration site before you fly in case entry rules change.
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