Last updated: June 2026 | Source: Thailand Immigration Bureau, TDAC Official System This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Entry regulations are subject to change; please refer to the latest announcements from the Immigration Bureau.
Official free application portal: tdac.immigration.go.th
Since May 1, 2025, Thailand has fully discontinued the TM6 paper arrival card and replaced it with the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). Whether you are a short-term tourist or a long-term visa holder returning to Thailand, all non-Thai nationals must complete the online declaration and obtain a QR Code within 72 hours before arrival. Failure to do so may affect your immigration clearance process.
The following 25 frequently asked questions cover the original 20 points and include new information for 2026, helping you understand everything about TDAC eligibility, operation, data correction, ABC e-Gates, and the latest app developments.
Basic Eligibility and Applicable Persons
1. Do short-term visa-exempt tourists also need to fill out the TDAC?
Yes. Anyone entering Thailand with a foreign passport, including those with visa exemption, visa on arrival, e-Visa, or traditional visa, must submit a TDAC through the official system before arrival and present the QR Code for clearance.
2. Do long-term or retirement visa holders also need to fill it out?
Yes. Except for “pure transit” passengers (who stay entirely in the international transit area and do not pass through immigration control) and those using a “Border Pass,” all non-Thai passport holders must fill out the TDAC—including LTR long-term resident visa, DTV digital nomad visa, Non-OA retirement visa, Non-B work visa, and Thailand Privilege (Elite) visa holders.
3. Do Permanent Residents (PR) also need to fill out the TDAC?
Yes. The determining factor is the travel document used for entry: if entering with a foreign passport, you are considered a “non-Thai” traveler and must fill out the TDAC; if entering with a Thai ID card, you are exempt.
4. Do dual nationals entering with a Thai passport need to fill out the TDAC?
No. Thai citizens (including dual nationals entering with a Thai passport) are exempt from the TDAC; if they enter with a foreign passport, they must fill it out.
5. Do pure transit passengers who do not pass through immigration need the TDAC?
No. As long as you stay entirely in the international transit area and do not pass through immigration control, you are exempt. Once you pass through immigration (even if your final destination is another country), you need the TDAC.
Submission Time and Validity
6. How early can I submit the form?
The system only allows submissions within 72 hours (three days) before arrival. Earlier submissions are not accepted. It is recommended to complete it one to two days before departure to allow time to correct any errors.
7. If I re-enter Thailand a few days later, do I need to fill it out again?
Yes. The TDAC is valid for a single entry only. You must submit a new TDAC and obtain a new QR Code for each entry. A same-day Visa Run back to Thailand also requires a new TDAC, even if you are only out of the country for a few hours.
8. Do I need to fill out a new TDAC for a domestic flight within Thailand?
If your transit is within Thailand and you do not pass through immigration control again, you do not need to re-submit. If you depart Thailand and re-enter, you must submit a new TDAC.
Form Filling and Common Technical Issues
9. What basic information is required for the TDAC?
- Passport Details: Name (must exactly match the MRZ machine-readable zone, including middle name), passport number, nationality, date of birth, passport expiry date
- Travel Information: Flight number (air) / license plate (land) / vessel name (sea), port of entry, date of arrival
- Address in Thailand: Hotel name or private residential address (long-term residents can use their own home address)
- Health Declaration: As required by the system
10. Can I correct information after submission?
It depends on the type of error:
- Personal identification data (name, passport number, date of birth): Cannot be modified after submission. If there is an error, you must completely re-submit a new application.
- Travel information (flight number, accommodation address): Can be modified after submission by logging into the official system and using the “Update Arrival Card” function.
Therefore, please carefully check every field on your passport before submitting, especially the middle name and passport number.
11. What if the official website is down or inaccessible?
If the system is unavailable, the 2026 procedure is to fill out the form on-site at a self-service kiosk at the port of entry. TM6 paper forms are no longer provided. However, filling out the form on-site will significantly increase clearance time, especially during peak season. It is strongly recommended to complete the online declaration at least one day in advance and save a screenshot or download the QR Code for offline backup.
12. What if I can’t select the correct arrival date?
Suggestions:
- Clear your browser cache
- Use Chrome or Edge browser
- Switch to manual input format (DD/MM/YYYY)
- Try a different device or network environment
13. What if I can’t find the required option in the system dropdown menu?
- Country of Residence: If you cannot find Thailand, select “Other / Specify” and manually enter Thailand
- Some dropdown menus support filtering by typing the first 3 letters of the option
14. I am returning to Thailand on a Non-Immigrant B work visa. Which purpose of visit should I choose?
In the “Purpose of Visit” field, select “Business / Work.” The TDAC does not require the purpose to exactly match your visa type, but it must truthfully reflect the nature of this trip.
15. I am staying at a friend’s or partner’s house. How do I fill in the address?
You can fill in the private residential address, including the street name, district/province, and postal code. Long-term residents in Thailand can simply fill in their own home address; no hotel is needed.
Family and Group Submissions
16. Can family members traveling together submit one form?
Yes. The official system supports Group Submission, allowing you to submit declarations for up to 10 travelers (including children and infants) at once, sharing flight and accommodation information. Each traveler will receive their own independent QR Code after submission.
17. Can a travel agent fill out the form for an elderly traveler who is not internet-savvy?
Technically, someone else can operate the system on their behalf, but the applicant is responsible for the accuracy of the submitted information. Note: For Thailand Privilege (Elite) visa holders, their Elite Personal Liaison (EPL) can only provide guidance on filling out the form; the TDAC submission must be done by the applicant themselves and cannot be delegated.
18. Do children and infants also need to submit a TDAC?
Yes. Every traveler, including infants, needs an independent TDAC declaration. However, they can be added within the same application, each with their own passport details, sharing the travel and accommodation information.
Special Entry Scenarios
19. Do I need a TDAC for a land border run?
Yes. The TDAC is mandatory for all three types of ports: air, land, and sea. When doing a border run, you need one TDAC for exiting and another for re-entering. When first implemented in early 2025, some smaller land border checkpoints had transitional arrangements, but as of 2026, it is fully enforced everywhere.
20. What if I don’t have a phone or my phone battery is dead?
The TDAC itself does not require an internet connection at the checkpoint; the important thing is to complete the declaration in advance and obtain the QR Code. Suggestions:
- Screenshot the QR Code in your phone’s photo album
- Save it as a PDF on your tablet or laptop
- Print a paper copy as a backup
Immigration officers can scan a printed QR Code; it works the same as a digital version. TM6 paper forms are no longer available at ports of entry.
QR Code Usage and ABC e-Gates
21. How do I use the QR Code during immigration clearance?
When you arrive at immigration control, present your passport along with your TDAC QR Code for the officer to scan. Starting in 2026, major airports like Suvarnabhumi (BKK), Don Mueang (DMK), Chiang Mai (CNX), Phuket (HKT), and Hat Yai (HDY) have implemented ABC Automated Border Control e-Gates:
- Scan your passport
- Undergo facial recognition
- Scan your TDAC QR Code when prompted by the system
- Pass through the gate to complete entry
e-Gates are available for most travelers with biometric passports. If the e-Gate rejects you due to a data mismatch, you will be directed to a manual counter. This is not a penalty; it simply requires manual verification.
22. Is there a fee for the TDAC? Are paid websites legitimate?
The official application is completely free. Any website that charges a fee is an unauthorized third-party commercial service. Travelers can decide whether to use them, but the application itself is free of charge on the official portal tdac.immigration.go.th. Please be sure to avoid fake paid websites.
Latest Mobile App Developments
23. Has an official mobile app been released?
Yes, there has been progress. The Thai Immigration Bureau has launched an official mobile application called THIM (Thailand Immigration Management), currently in a trial testing phase. It is available for download on iOS and Android and supports English, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese. Features include scanning the passport MRZ to auto-fill data, submitting the TDAC, and group submissions, allowing you to complete the declaration in under three minutes.
Current Status (June 2026): THIM is still in the testing phase and has not yet replaced the web-based system. The full official launch is expected in August 2026. For now, you must still use the official website tdac.immigration.go.th to complete your declaration.
Background Information
24. What is the latest status of the 60-day visa exemption policy?
The 60-day visa exemption scheme introduced in July 2024 was approved for abolition by the Thai cabinet on May 20, 2026, reverting to a 30-day visa exemption. However, as of June 2026, this change has not yet been officially published in the Royal Gazette, so the 60-day exemption is still legally in effect.
Once it takes effect, most of the 93 nationalities will revert to a 30-day visa exemption, with some nationalities potentially being adjusted to 15 days. The specific details for each country are pending review by the “Visa Policy Committee.”
25. Is the TDAC a visa? Will it affect my entry eligibility?
The TDAC is not a visa and does not grant any entry rights. Your eligibility to enter and your permitted length of stay are entirely determined by your nationality and the type of visa you hold. The TDAC is purely an immigration information declaration system used by the Immigration Bureau to record travelers’ itinerary and accommodation details.
