Thailand Digital Arrival Card Fees, Validity & Mandatory Rules

Thailand is one of the most popular travel destinations of Asia. In new Thailand visiting rules you can’t miss out on submitting a Thailand Digital Arrival Card or TDAC. This is the digital card issued by the kingdom and you can make it from an online platform. This paperless way of travelling is Thailand’s modern way of travelling which made travelling much smoother. 

TDAC has become mandatory on 1 May 2025 for all non-Thai visitors. This card is a must for both visa and visa-exempt travellers. In this Blog, we will help you understand the importance, procedure and rules you have to follow regarding TDAC. 

What Is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

TDAC is the official electronic arrival form that foreign visitors must have before they enter Thailand. It collects information that immigration officers previously gathered through the physical TM6 card like personal identity, travel details, and intended stay information.

By replacing paper forms with a digital submission, Thailand aims to:

• speed up immigration queues and make the process smoother

• eliminate the need of paper arrival cards

• ensure more accurate and secure information handling.

This card system functions similarly to digital entry forms used in several other countries. Once travellers submit the TDAC, immigration officers pre-review the data before the traveller reaches the counter which makes the arrival process more predictable.

Read more - How to Apply for the SG Arrival Card: A Step-by-Step Guide for Indian Travellers

Who Must Submit TDAC?

This rule applies to all foreign passport holders, regardless of nationality or purpose of travel. This includes:

• visa-exempt travellers,

• visa-required travellers,

• holders of visas or electronic travel authorisations (if applicable),

• tourists, business travellers, students, and those arriving for short or long stays.

A visa is different from TDAC so possessing it does not exempt you from filing TDAC. These both systems serve different roles: the visa determines your permission to enter and stay, while TDAC provides the arrival-form information immigration requires at the point of entry.

Exemptions

Only two groups are exempt from submitting TDAC:

• Transit passengers who remain within the transit zone and do not pass through immigration.

• Border Pass holders travelling under special bilateral border-pass arrangements with neighbouring countries.
  
   

Except for these categories, all non-Thai nationals must complete the TDAC for each entry into Thailand.

Submission Timeline and Validity

Correct timing is essential because TDAC has a strict submission window. Travellers must submit the form:

• no earlier than 72 hours (3 days) before arrival, and

• anytime up to and including the moment of arrival (before reaching immigration).
  
   

If you attempt to complete the form too early, the system will not accept the submission.
After you complete the form, you will receive a confirmation, usually provided as a QR code or PDF. This is what you will show at immigration.

TDAC is valid for one entry only. If you exit Thailand and enter again, even within a short time, a new TDAC submission is required.

Fees: Is TDAC Free?

The TDAC is completely free of charge when submitted through the official Thai government platform.

Scam Warning

Because the form is mandatory, numerous unofficial websites have begun offering “TDAC services” for a fee. These websites may:

• charge travellers in USD or EUR,

• mimic official portals,

• ask for credit card details,

• provide incomplete or unusable submissions.

Travellers have reported paying substantial amounts to such sites and still needing to resubmit through the official system. To avoid scams:

• use only official websites ending in “.go.th”,

• never pay for TDAC processing,

• avoid giving passport details to third-party portals

If a site requests payment, it is not the official TDAC system.

Information Required to Fill Out TDAC

Submitting the TDAC is straightforward once the necessary information is prepared. The form typically requires:

Personal Information

• Full legal name

• Nationality

• Date of birth

• Passport number and expiration date

Travel Information

• Arrival date

• Mode of travel (air, land, or sea)

• Flight number or vehicle/vessel number

• Port or checkpoint of entry

Accommodation Details

Travellers must enter the full name and address of their intended accommodation. This may be:

• a hotel,

• serviced apartment,

• Airbnb or rental home,

• a private residence where you will stay.

This does not lock you into one location; immigration only needs the initial planned address.

Purpose and Duration of Stay

Options typically include tourism, business, medical travel, education, transit, or other approved reasons. Travellers must also indicate their intended length of stay.

Health and Travel History

Some travellers may be asked additional questions for example, recent travel to countries with specific health risks such as Yellow Fever. Requirements may vary depending on public health guidelines at the time.

The entire process usually takes a few minutes to complete.

What Happens on Arrival?

Once you land in Thailand, the arrival procedure incorporates the TDAC submission:

1. Present your passport.

2. Show your TDAC confirmation (QR code or PDF).

3. Immigration officers will cross-verify the digital information with your travel documents.

4. If everything matches, entry is granted according to your visa and travel status.

If TDAC Is Missing or Incorrect

Travellers who fail to submit TDAC, present incorrect information, or rely on fraudulent submission services may face:

• delays at immigration,

• additional questioning or document checks,

• being directed to re-submit the TDAC on the spot (which slows entry),

• potential denial of entry in cases of serious discrepancies.

Because the system is now fully integrated into immigration procedures, compliance is not optional.

Why TDAC Matters: Broader Immigration Developments

The introduction of TDAC is part of a larger transformation within Thailand’s immigration ecosystem. As the number of international visitors rises, the government aims to:

• digitize more border-control processes,

• reduce reliance on paper forms,

• make the entry experience more efficient,

• enhance pre-arrival data security and screening.

There have also been discussions, though not formally implemented, about whether TDAC may later integrate with:

• Thailand’s visa-processing systems,

• a potential tourism fee collection system,

• electronic travel authorisation platforms for certain nationalities.

As of now, these remain proposals. TDAC is separate, mandatory, and free.

It’s also noteworthy that even nationalities newly eligible for visa-free entry (such as Indian passport holders) must still complete the TDAC. Visa exemption does not remove the requirement to submit arrival information.

Key Takeaways: A Practical Checklist

For clarity, here is a simple, step-by-step summary travellers can follow:

• Submit the TDAC within 72 hours before arrival.

• Use only the official TDAC website ending in “.go.th”.

• Do not pay for any website or service the TDAC is free.

• Prepare accurate passport, flight, and accommodation details before filling the form.

• Save the confirmation (QR/PDF) on your phone; keep a backup copy if possible.

• Expect to submit a new TDAC every time you enter Thailand, even on the same trip.

• Check additional requirements if you recently visited regions with specific health-related advisories.

• Ensure the details you submit match your passport and tickets.

Following these steps ensures a smooth, predictable immigration process without unnecessary delays.

Conclusion

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card marks a major shift in how travellers enter the country. While the requirement is new, the system itself is simple, free, and designed to make immigration more efficient. Understanding the rules particularly the 72-hour submission window and the need to use only official government platforms eliminates most potential problems.

For repeat travellers to Thailand, TDAC will quickly feel like a routine step. For first-time visitors, knowing exactly what to expect provides confidence and clarity before arrival. With the correct preparation, the process is straightforward and helps ensure a smoother entry into one of the world’s most visited destinations.

FAQs

How long is the digital arrival card valid for in Thailand?

It’s valid for one entry only. You must submit a new TDAC every time you enter Thailand.

Is it mandatory to carry 10,000 baht to Thailand?

Yes. Visitors should have 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family if immigration asks for proof of funds.

What happens if you don't fill TDAC Thailand?

You may face delays, be asked to complete it at the airport, or risk denial of entry.

Is an arrival card required for Thailand?

Yes. The paper TM6 is discontinued, and the TDAC digital arrival card is now required.

Do you have to pay for TDAC for Thailand?

No. TDAC is free. Any website charging a fee is not official.

How much is the overstay fine per day?

500 THB per day, capped at 20,000 THB total.

Can I carry Indian cash to Thailand?

Yes, up to ₹25,000 in INR when leaving India. Additional funds should be in foreign currency.

Can I carry 2 lakh cash in a flight?

Not in Indian currency. You are limited to ₹25,000 INR. Larger amounts must be in forex, declared if above limits.

Is the 10,000 baht limit per person or family?

It’s per person; for families, the requirement is 20,000 THB.

What is the new digital arrival card in Thailand?

It’s the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), an online pre-arrival form required within 72 hours before entering Thailand.