Thailand Arrival Card 2026 Guide: TDAC Registration & Rules

Navigating border entry rules shouldn't delay your Thai getaway. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) has streamlined border control by transitioning entry records into a fast, paperless system. Submitted online up to 3 days prior to departure, this quick 5-minute declaration must be completed by all non-Thai passport holders—even those traveling under visa-exemption agreements. Discover how to register correctly on the official government portal, avoid common application errors, and secure your arrival QR code before flight boarding.

Thailand Arrival Card

The paper TM6 Arrival Card has been completely phased out and replaced by the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC).

Key Requirements

What do Australians Need for Thailand Arrival Card

To enter Thailand, Australian passport holders must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online prior to departure. This digital system replaced the old paper TM6 arrival card.

What Australians Need Before Applying

Before opening the application portal, have the following documents and details ready:

1. Australian Passport: Must have at least 6 months validity remaining from your date of arrival in Thailand.
2. Flight Details: Your inbound flight number (e.g., Jetstar, Qantas, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines), date of arrival, and port of entry (e.g., Suvarnabhumi BKK or Don Mueang DMK).
3. Accommodation Address: The full address and hotel name of your first night’s stay in Thailand.
4. Personal & Contact Info: Full legal name, date of birth, occupation, active email address, and phone number.
5. Travel History: A list of any countries visited within the 14 days prior to your arrival.

Submission Rules & Cost

• Timeline: You can submit your TDAC up to 3 days (72 hours) before your scheduled arrival date in Thailand.
• Cost: $0 AUD / 100% Free.
• Official Portal: Apply exclusively through the official Thai Immigration site (tdac.immigration.go.th) or via the official THIM app.

Scam Warning: Avoid third-party agency websites asking for payment (e.g., $30–$80 USD) to process your arrival card. The official government system never charges a fee.

Additional Requirements at Border Control

Completing your TDAC generates an electronic confirmation and QR code sent to your email. Save a copy to your phone or print out a paper version to present to Thai Border Control along with:

• Visa-Free Entry Status: Australian passport holders receive visa-free entry for tourism for up to 60 days.
• Proof of Onward Travel: Airline staff or border officers may request proof of a return or outbound flight ticket departing Thailand within your allowed stay duration.
• Proof of Funds: While checked selectively, immigration officers reserve the right to ask for proof of sufficient funds (the equivalent of 20,000 THB per person, roughly ~$880 AUD).

Thailand Travel SIM and eSIM

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is the mandatory online entry and health declaration form required for foreign travelers entering Thailand by air, land, or sea. It officially replaced the traditional paper TM6 arrival card.

• What It Is: An electronic immigration card used by the Thai Immigration Bureau and Ministry of Public Health to collect traveler details, flight itineraries, accommodation addresses, and basic health declarations before entry.
• Who Must Complete It: All non-Thai passport holders entering the country—regardless of whether traveling on a visa, long-term pass, or under a visa-exemption program.
• • Exceptions: Passengers transiting through an airport without clearing immigration and border pass holders.
• Not a Visa / ETA: The TDAC is an arrival declaration, not a visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). It does not grant entry rights or replace visa requirements.
• Official Cost: 100% Free when submitted on the official government portal (tdac.immigration.go.th).

Requirements & Submission Timeline

How to Fill Out Your Thailand Arrival Card

Step 1. Visit the official website

Visit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) website (http://tdac.immigration.go.th). Once you're on the website, click on "Arrival Card" to start filling it out.

Step 2. Enter your personal details

Enter your basic personal information, including your full name (as it appears on your passport), nationality, date of birth, phone number, email address, passport number, and passport issue and expiration dates. All information must be entered in English exactly as it appears on your passport. Please double-check all your information before submitting, as any typos or incorrect details could cause issues during immigration.

Step 3. Enter your travel details

This is the section where you fill in the mode of transportation you'll be using to enter and exit Thailand. Generally, if you're traveling by plane, you'll want to select 'AIR' for your travel method and 'COMMERCIAL FLIGHT' for your mode of transportation.

Select your flight number, departure country, and purpose of travel (tourism, business, transit, etc.), then enter your accommodation type and the detailed English address of where you'll be staying. Having your accommodation booking confirmation ready beforehand will save you time at this stage.

Step 4. Fill out the Health Declaration Form

Enter the names of the countries you stayed in before arriving in Thailand, and check any boxes that apply.

If you have a history of visiting areas at high risk for certain diseases, you'll need to provide additional health information.

Step 5. Submit and Confirm Receipt

Once you've finished writing, click the 'Preview' button to double-check that all your information is correct before submitting.

Once you've submitted your application, a confirmation email will be sent to the address you provided. This email contains a QR code, so please be sure to present both your passport and this QR code when you go through Thai immigration.

Things to Know Before Filling Out Your Thailand Arrival Card

1. Timing Is Restricted (72-Hour Window)

• You can only submit the TDAC within 72 hours (3 days) prior to your arrival date in Thailand.
• Submitting earlier through the official system is not permitted, as health and travel details must be current at the time of entry.

2. The Official Portal Is 100% Free

• Never pay for a TDAC. The official Thai Immigration website (tdac.immigration.go.th) charges no fee.
• Avoid third-party agency sites or sponsored search ads claiming to process your arrival card for a $30–$80 fee.

3. Core Personal Details Cannot Be Edited After Submission

• Once submitted, primary fields—such as your Passport Number, Full Name, Nationality, and Date of Birth—are locked.
• If you make a critical typo in these fields, you will have to re-submit a completely new TDAC form.

4. Name Matching Must Be Exact

• Enter your first, middle, and family names exactly as they appear on the MRZ (machine-readable zone) at the bottom of your passport photo page.
• Avoid using special characters, accents, or preferred nicknames. If you have only a single name, enter a hyphen (-) where a surname is required.

5. Everyone Needs Their Own TDAC (Including Children & Infants)

• Each traveler must have a valid TDAC submission and individual QR code.
• For families or groups traveling together, use the Group Submission option (up to 10 travelers) on the portal to fill out everyone's details sequentially under one main contact email.

6. Only Your First Night's Address Is Required

• You do not need to list every hotel on your entire Thailand itinerary.
• Enter the hotel name, full street address, district, province, and postal code of your very first night's accommodation.

7. TDAC Is Not a Visa or Entry Guarantee

• The arrival card is a mandatory immigration and health declaration, not a visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
• You must still satisfy general entry requirements at border control:
• • Passport: Minimum 6 months validity remaining.
  • Onward Travel: Proof of a departure flight ticket within your allowed stay.
  • Sufficient Funds: Random checks may require proof of 10,000 THB per person (~$440 AUD) or 20,000 THB per family (~$880 AUD) in cash or equivalent currency.

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