Thailand foreigner arrival card now means the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card, or TDAC. Every non-Thai passport holder entering Thailand by air, land or sea must submit it online within 72 hours before the arrival date. The digital form replaces the old paper TM6 arrival card. However, it is not a visa and does not replace any visa or entry permission.
The process is straightforward when travelers prepare their passport, transport and accommodation details in advance. In 2026, the safest approach is to use the official TDAC Portal only. In addition, no payment is required for the official submission.
Who must complete the Thailand foreigner arrival card?
All non-Thai passport holders must complete the Thailand foreigner arrival card before entering Thailand unless a stated exception applies. This requirement covers travelers with different visa statuses, including visitors who enter for tourism, business or long-term residence.
The rule applies across the three main entry channels. Therefore, the following travelers generally need an individual TDAC submission:
- Tourists arriving by international flight.
- Business travelers entering through an airport or land checkpoint.
- Long-term residents returning to Thailand.
- Foreign nationals arriving by train, bus, private vehicle or other land transport.
- Passengers arriving by cruise ship or another sea transport service.
- Infants and children who hold non-Thai passports.
Visa status does not remove the TDAC requirement. For example, a traveler may hold a tourist visa, a non-immigrant visa or another valid permission to enter Thailand and still need to submit the digital arrival card.
Do children and infants need their own TDAC?
Yes. Every traveler needs a TDAC record, including infants and children. The official system also supports group submissions for up to 10 people. As a result, families can enter accurate details without completing the process separately for each person.
For a family of four, the responsible adult should check every passport number and date of birth before sending the group submission. A small typing error can create confusion at the immigration counter. Therefore, matching each record with the correct passport is worth the extra minute.
Who is exempt from the Thailand foreigner arrival card?
Passengers who transit through Thailand without passing through immigration are generally exempt from the Thailand foreigner arrival card. Likewise, travelers entering through a Border Pass are also listed as an exception.
The key issue is whether the passenger formally enters Thailand. For example, a traveler who remains inside the international transit area without clearing immigration may not need a TDAC. In contrast, changing to a domestic flight may require immigration clearance and can change the requirement.
Border procedures can depend on the route and the relevant permission. Therefore, when the situation is unclear, travelers should confirm the requirement with their airline or Thai immigration authority before departure.
| Travel situation | TDAC position | Practical check |
|---|---|---|
| International arrival by air | Required for non-Thai passport holders | Submit within 72 hours before arrival |
| Entry by land | Required in ordinary cases | Prepare checkpoint and accommodation details |
| Entry by sea | Required in ordinary cases | Use transport details supplied by the carrier |
| Airside transit without immigration | Exception generally applies | Confirm that immigration clearance is not required |
| Entry with a Border Pass | Listed exception | Verify the route-specific rule |
When should you submit the Thailand foreigner arrival card?
The Thailand foreigner arrival card must be submitted within three days or 72 hours before the arrival date. Importantly, the timing relates to the date you enter Thailand rather than the date you book your ticket.
Suppose your arrival date is 18 July 2026. The permitted submission window opens 72 hours before that arrival date. Submitting too early may fall outside the accepted window. Meanwhile, waiting until the airport can create avoidable stress if your internet connection or email access fails.
As a practical routine, complete the form after your final flight or transport details are confirmed. Then keep the confirmation email available on your phone and retain access to the passport used for the submission.
What happens if travel plans change?
A change in flight number, arrival date or accommodation can make the submitted information inaccurate. Therefore, review the TDAC details whenever your itinerary changes. Then follow the official portal’s available instructions for correcting or submitting the record again.
Airlines may also check arrival documentation during boarding. However, airline screening does not replace immigration requirements. The traveler remains responsible for providing correct information that matches the actual journey.
What information do you need for the TDAC application?
You need four main categories of information for the online TDAC application: valid passport details, arrival transport information, the address of your first accommodation in Thailand and a valid email address.
These requirements are simple, yet they create the most common preparation problems. For instance, a traveler may know the hotel brand but not its full address. Similarly, someone arriving by land may need transport details that differ from a flight number.
- Passport: Use the valid passport that you will present at Thai immigration. Check the document number, nationality and personal details carefully.
- Transport: Enter the flight number or the relevant arrival transport details. Land and sea travelers should use the information supplied by their carrier when available.
- Accommodation: Provide the address of your first hotel or other accommodation in Thailand. Use the first place where you will stay after entry.
- Email: Enter an email address that you can access before departure. The confirmation is sent there.
For instance, a traveler landing in Bangkok before taking a domestic flight to Chiang Mai should normally provide the first accommodation address in Thailand. In that situation, the Bangkok hotel may be the correct entry rather than the later Chiang Mai property.
How can you complete the TDAC accurately?
You can complete the Thailand foreigner arrival card through the official TDAC Portal without paying a submission fee. First, use a secure internet connection. Next, compare every entry with your passport and confirmed itinerary.
- Open the official TDAC Portal.
- Start an individual submission or a group submission for up to 10 people.
- Enter the required passport and traveler information.
- Add your arrival transport details.
- Provide the address of your first accommodation in Thailand.
- Enter an accessible email address.
- Review the complete form before submitting it.
- Save the confirmation email for travel.
Before submission, check dates in the format requested by the portal. Also verify that the passport number contains the correct letters and numbers. For example, confusing the number zero with the letter O is a small mistake that can affect document matching.
What are the most useful preparation tips?
Save the hotel confirmation and transport booking in one folder before opening the form. This reduces switching between apps on a mobile phone. In addition, travelers with limited connectivity should keep the TDAC confirmation available offline after receiving it.
Do not use a paid third-party website simply because it appears in an advertisement. The official TDAC submission is free. Consequently, a website that requests unnecessary payment or promises special immigration approval deserves careful scrutiny.
What mistakes can delay your arrival process?
Most TDAC problems come from incorrect or incomplete information rather than from a complicated application. Fortunately, a careful review can prevent several avoidable issues.
- Submitting outside the 72-hour window.
- Using an expired passport or entering details from an old passport.
- Typing the wrong flight number or arrival date.
- Listing a later hotel instead of the first accommodation in Thailand.
- Using an email address that cannot receive the confirmation.
- Assuming children or infants are automatically covered by a parent’s form.
- Paying a private website for a service available through the official portal.
Another frequent mistake is treating TDAC as a visa application. The arrival card collects entry information. It does not grant a visa, extend a stay or guarantee admission because Thai immigration officers retain authority at the border.
What should foreign residents and business travelers know?
Long-term residents and business travelers are not automatically excluded. If they hold a non-Thai passport and enter Thailand through an ordinary immigration channel, the same TDAC requirement generally applies.
A business traveler should keep the arrival card separate from employment or company compliance. Depending on the work arrangement, additional immigration or labor requirements may apply. For that reason, information about the Thailand foreign e workpermit system can help readers distinguish entry registration from work authorization.
Similarly, an arrival card does not determine whether a foreign national may perform restricted work or operate a business. Travelers and employers should review the Thailand Foreign Worker Restrictions before making work-related plans. In addition, business ownership questions may involve the Thai Nominee Foreign Owned Business rules.
What are the advantages and limits of TDAC?
The digital system saves paper and lets travelers submit information before reaching the border. It also creates a clear confirmation record. Even so, TDAC is an administrative arrival form rather than a complete travel authorization system.
| Advantages | Limits |
|---|---|
| Free submission through the official portal | It does not replace a visa |
| Available for air, land and sea arrivals | Incorrect details may require correction |
| Group submission supports up to 10 travelers | Each traveler still needs an individual record |
| Email confirmation provides a useful travel record | It does not guarantee entry at immigration |
What does the official guidance say?
The rule is best understood through official sources rather than social media posts or paid intermediaries. The [U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Thailand’s travel information](https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/security-and-travel-information/) provides a useful reference for U.S. travelers, while the Thai immigration portal remains the appropriate place to submit TDAC.
Requirements can change as Thailand updates border procedures. Therefore, review the official portal close to departure in 2026, especially when traveling through a land checkpoint or using a complex transit itinerary.
Frequently asked questions about the Thailand foreigner arrival card
Is the Thailand foreigner arrival card free?
Yes. The official TDAC submission is free. Therefore, travelers should use the official portal and be cautious with websites that request payment for submitting a standard arrival card.
Is TDAC the same as a Thai visa?
No. TDAC is a digital arrival information form. It does not replace a visa, create a visa exemption or guarantee permission to enter Thailand.
Do all foreign passport holders need TDAC?
Generally, yes. Non-Thai passport holders entering Thailand by air, land or sea must submit TDAC unless they qualify for an exception. Examples include airside transit without passing through immigration or entry through a Border Pass.
How early can I submit TDAC?
You should submit it within 72 hours before your arrival date. The permitted window is based on when you enter Thailand rather than simply when you purchase a ticket.
Does a child need a separate TDAC?
Yes. Every traveler needs an individual TDAC record, including infants and children. However, families can use the group submission option for up to 10 people.
What address should I enter for a multi-city trip?
Enter the address of your first hotel or accommodation in Thailand. For example, a Bangkok hotel should be listed when Bangkok is your first stop before traveling onward to another province.
What if I am only transiting through Thailand?
Passengers who remain in transit without passing through Thai immigration are generally exempt. However, if the itinerary requires immigration clearance, confirm the requirement with the airline and Thai immigration authority.
Can I enter Thailand without the TDAC confirmation email?
The confirmation should be retained because it may be requested during travel or arrival processing. Keep a digital copy accessible on your phone. Also check the official portal for current instructions before departure.
How should you prepare before departure?
Complete the Thailand foreigner arrival card during the 72-hour window. Then compare the confirmation with your passport, arrival date and first accommodation. This simple check covers the main information required for air, land and sea entry.
Keep the process separate from visa, work authorization and business compliance. When a route or immigration status is unusual, rely on the official TDAC Portal and current guidance from Thai immigration rather than an unofficial intermediary.
