Thailand Digital Arrival Card is mandatory for foreign arrivals
Thailand’s Digital Arrival Card has been mandatory since 1 May 2025 for non-Thai nationals entering by air, land or sea. Travelers should submit it free through the Immigration Bureau portal within the official three-day window before arrival.
Verification status: Confirmed
Thailand’s Digital Arrival Card, or TDAC, has been mandatory since 1 May 2025 for non-Thai nationals entering Thailand by air, land or sea.
Travelers must submit a new TDAC for each entry through the free Immigration Bureau service at tdac.immigration.go.th. The official submission window covers the three days before arrival, including the arrival date.
Who is affected
The requirement applies to non-Thai travelers, including children. The current Immigration Bureau FAQ identifies limited exceptions for:
- passengers transiting or transferring without passing through Thai immigration; and
- crew members entering in the course of their duties.
A work permit, long-term residence, diplomatic passport or young age should not be treated as an exemption unless current Immigration Bureau guidance expressly says so.
What travelers should do
- Use only tdac.immigration.go.th.
- Submit within the official three-day window.
- Complete a new TDAC for every entry.
- Check identity details carefully. Core identity fields that cannot be edited require a new submission.
- Keep the confirmation available digitally. The current official FAQ says a printout is not required.
Travelers without reliable internet access should seek assistance from airline or Immigration staff and use available airport connectivity or kiosks as a contingency. Kiosks are not the normal substitute for pre-arrival completion.
TDAC is free. It is an arrival-information requirement, not a visa, permission to stay, or guarantee of admission.
Effective date
The requirement has applied since 1 May 2025.
Official sources
- Immigration Bureau TDAC portal
- Immigration Bureau TDAC FAQ
- Immigration Bureau Chiang Saen launch notice
Sources checked: 7 August 2026.
Uncertainty and professional-review status
The Immigration Bureau may update operational instructions. Travelers should recheck the official FAQ before departure. This article is general information and has not received qualified Thai legal or immigration-professional approval.