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Introduction
From the 1st May 2025, all foreign travellers entering Thailand are required to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). This must be done within 72 hours prior to arriving in the country and must be completed by all travellers, whether or not they also hold a visa.
Impact
High
What has changed?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is replacing the previous paper TM6 form. This is part of Thailand’s drive to modernise and streamline entry procedures for foreign travellers. Previously, the TM6 form was an arrival and departure card that travellers completed on entry and exit from Thailand, the form being distributed during flights or available at immigration checkpoints and used to collate the personal information of the individual including passport data and address in Thailand. The online platform for the form, now the TDAC, is scheduled to be operational form 1st May 2025 and will allow foreign travellers to complete the immigration formalities online before arriving in country.
Travellers must complete the TDAC within 72 hours prior to arrival in Thailand. The form is split into several sections: personal information, travel and accommodation details, health declaration and final validation. Once complete the digital card is sent to the traveller by email and can be printed or saved on a smartphone for presentation at border control.
Who is affected?
The TDAC must be completed by all travellers whether they hold a visa or not and whether they arrive by air, land or sea. The only exception will be those in transit who do not pass through immigration control and those with a “Border pass” for specific border crossings.
What to expect /impact?
The Thai authorities hope that the transition to the digital platform for the Arrival Card along with the electronic (e-Visa) will improve the efficiencies of border control, reducing waiting times and improve the experience for international travellers.
The TDAC enable the authorities to centralise visitor data, have a tighter control over entry / exit of foreign nationals, enforce health control measures and reduce the use of physical cards.
What you need to do
For further information on Thai immigration, please contact the Sterling Lexicon immigration team at [email protected]
