How to Apply for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): A Step-by-Step Guide

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is a mandatory digital requirement for all foreign nationals entering Thailand, replacing the traditional paper TM6 form. Accurately submitting the TDAC ensures a smoother and more efficient arrival process at immigration.

Important Submission Rules and Timeline

Who Must Submit: All non-Thai citizens, regardless of their visa status or method of entry (air, land, or sea), must complete the TDAC for every entry into Thailand.
Cost: The TDAC is completely free to complete; beware of third-party websites that charge a fee.
Submission Window: The TDAC must be submitted no earlier than 3 days (72 hours) prior to your arrival in Thailand. You can submit it as late as the day of arrival, even at the airport near the immigration area.

Pre-Application Checklist

Before beginning the process, gather the following information and ensure you use the official TDAC website (tdac.immigration.go.th) to avoid scams.

Category	Required Details	Key Instructions
Personal Information	Full Name (as per passport), Passport number, Nationality/Citizenship, Date of birth, Gender, Occupation, Country of residence, Phone number.	All details must be entered in English (Latin alphabet) only. Use the exact spelling and transliteration shown in the machine-readable zone (MRZ) of your passport.
Travel Information	Arrival date, Departure date (if applicable), Country of embarkation, Mode of travel (air, land, or sea), Flight or vehicle number.	For connecting flights, use the flight number of the airplane that will land in Thailand.
Accommodation	Type of accommodations (Hotel, Apartment, Friend’s house), Full address (Province, District, Sub-District, Street Address).	You only need to enter the address of your first accommodation in Thailand, even if you are visiting multiple cities. If staying at an apartment or friend’s house, provide the full address including district, subdistrict, and province.
Visa Status	Visa number (if applicable).	Only enter the visa number if you were issued a Thai visa prior to arrival; leave this field blank if you are eligible for Visa Exemption or Visa on Arrival.
Health Declaration	List of countries visited up to two weeks prior to arrival, description of any symptoms, Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination (if traveling from a warning country).	The system may prompt for health information based on the country you visited or boarded from.

Step-by-Step TDAC Submission (Individual)

Follow these steps to complete your Thailand Digital Arrival Card online:

Step 1: Access the TDAC Form

Visit the official TDAC website and click the "Arrival Card" button to start the registration process.

Step 2: Enter Personal and Passport Details

Input your personal information, including your nationality, travel document number, and phone number. You have the option to scan the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) or upload an MRZ image to automatically retrieve some data. Reminder: Recheck all information if you use the automatic data retrieval. Then click "Continue".

Step 3: Input Trip and Accommodation Details

Enter your trip information, including your arrival and departure dates, and the flight or vehicle number that brings you into Thailand. Next, input your accommodation details. When filling dropdown fields (like for the address), you can type three characters of the desired information, and the system will automatically display relevant options for selection.

Step 4: Complete the Health Declaration

Enter your health status information as required by the Ministry of Public Health. This includes listing countries visited in the past two weeks and describing any symptoms experienced. If you meet certain criteria (e.g., coming from a Yellow Fever warning country), the system may prompt you for necessary health information. Click "Preview".

Step 5: Review and Submit

Review all the information entered for accuracy. If corrections are needed, use the "Edit" or "Previous" buttons.

Crucial Note on Errors: Personal identity details—Full Name, Nationality/Citizenship, and Date of Birth—cannot be updated after submission. If these fields are incorrect, you must submit a new TDAC registration.

Enter your email address to receive the TDAC confirmation. Check the box to agree to the Terms and Conditions, then click "Submit".

Step 6: Receive Confirmation

You should receive the electronic confirmation (including the QR code) and arrival card number almost immediately after submission. Download the TDAC confirmation. You can save a screenshot of the QR code to your device or print a copy from the email.

Step 7: Arrival in Thailand

Upon arrival, the border officer may ask to see your TDAC confirmation. Showing the electronic confirmation (QR code) on your mobile device is usually sufficient.

Group Submission

The TDAC system allows for group submission, which can include up to 10 entries per submission.

Complete Steps 1-4 for the first traveler (Traveler 1).
Click the "Add Other Travelers" button.
Repeat steps 2-4 for each subsequent traveler.
If the travel and accommodation information is the same for the other members, you can select the details from "Same as Previous Traveler".
Review all travelers' information and submit the application (Steps 5-7).

Troubleshooting TDAC Submission Issues

Travelers sometimes experience problems during the application process:

"Invalid Format" for Arrival Date: This error usually occurs if you are attempting to submit the TDAC too early (outside of the 72-hour/3-day window before your arrival). Wait until the window opens, and the date input will be accepted.
System Errors: If you keep receiving errors, try switching web browsers; for example, if using Safari, try switching to Chrome. You may need to repeatedly go back to the previous page and retry the steps until it works.
Accommodation Section Greyed Out: This can happen if the system interprets your travel as a transit or very short stay, possibly if you entered the same date for both arrival and departure. Ensure the departure field contains the date you plan to leave Thailand.

If you are unable to complete the form beforehand due to persistent errors or lack of internet, assistance is available. You can complete the required information under staff guidance at the TDAC Help Desk or counter located near the immigration area at major Thai airports like Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Completing the TDAC correctly is like setting the coordinates for a smooth landing; getting the essential details right before you take off guarantees you won't encounter turbulence when you reach the border.