Foreign travellers heading to the popular Southeast Asian country have been warned they must submit their arrival information online from May 1.
The new Thailand Digital Arrival Card from the Immigration Bureau of Thailand will replace the current paper arrival card for foreign nationals.
All foreign visitors, whether they are entering by air, land or sea, must submit their arrival information electronically.
It must be completed at least three days before arrival and should include essential travel and personal details. For example, if arriving on May 5, submission can begin on May 2. The system will open for submissions starting April 28 to accommodate those arriving on the launch date.
Travellers will receive a confirmation upon submission, which they must present at immigration either digitally or in print. There are no fees associated with the application.
Completion of the TDAC will be mandatory for all non-Thai passport holders, including tourists, business travellers, and long-term residents.
Exceptions apply only to travellers transiting or transferring through Thailand without passing through immigration control and to those entering using a Border Pass.
Travellers can submit the TDAC individually or as part of a group via the portal. Information can be updated at any time before travel. Required details include passport information, personal and travel details, accommodation in Thailand, and a basic health declaration.
Long-term or permanent foreign residents in Thailand are advised to select “Thailand” under “Country of Residence,” which will be available once the system is activated.
Travellers unable to complete the TDAC before arrival and do not have internet access at the point of entry will be assisted at designated help points at immigration checkpoints. This assistance is intended for exceptional circumstances only.
To complete the form, travellers should visit the Immigration Bureau’s official website.
The transition comes at a time when Thailand is anticipating a surge in tourism, aiming for 40 million foreign visitors in 2025, up from 35.5 million in 2024.
TDAC is part of the government’s broader digital transformation of immigration procedures and will help streamline border processing, reduce paperwork, and enhance traveller convenience.
The digital platform has also been designed to integrate seamlessly with other government systems, including the Department of Consular Affairs’ E-Visa system, the Department of Disease Control’s health screening procedures, and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ tourist fee collection mechanism.
Travellers are recommended to complete the TDAC as soon as their travel plans are finalised to avoid last-minute complications on arrival at the Thai border.
Andy Probert is an independent journalist who writes about global travel news, airlines, airports, and business. His work has appeared globally on the BBC, and in many national newspapers and magazines.
