Starting May 1, 2025, all foreign visitors to Thailand will be required to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online at least 72 hours prior to their entry.
This new initiative will replace the traditional paper-based immigration card, which is part of Thailand’s ongoing efforts to modernize and streamline its border procedures. Similar digital arrival systems are already in place in countries like Cambodia, Malaysia, and Cuba.
The TDAC must be submitted by all travelers, regardless of their mode of travel—air, land, or sea—or visa status. Exemptions are only available for transit passengers who do not pass through immigration and travelers using border passes. This digital system aims to simplify immigration processes, making them faster, more secure, and paper-free.
As part of Thailand’s strategy to become a “Smart Tourism Destination,” the TDAC initiative is designed to provide a more efficient experience for international tourists. To ensure a smooth transition, the Thai Immigration Bureau has launched multilingual promotional materials, including instructional videos and brochures in several languages, such as English, Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Japanese.
The introduction of the TDAC has led to a delay in other planned tourism-related initiatives, including the much-debated 300-baht ($9) tourism fee and the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, which was initially set to launch in December 2024.
Thailand’s tourism sector has faced significant challenges recently, with foreign tourist arrivals and revenue dipping sharply in February 2025. A nearly 14% drop in visitor numbers and a 9% decline in total receipts have been noted, particularly from Chinese and Malaysian tourists.
However, growth has been seen in arrivals from Japan, India, and Russia, signaling shifting trends in Thailand’s tourism demographics. In response, the Ministry of Tourism is revising its strategies to boost the sector in the latter half of 2025.
Here is how to apply and receive your digital arrival card:
- Log In To The Portal
Registration through https://tdac.immigration.go.th
- Complete Registration
Key Details Required
Personal Information: Full name, nationality, phone number, Email address and passport details
Trip Information: Flight number, purpose of travel, and address in Thailand (e.g., hotel or residential address)
- Submission
After completing the form online, you will receive an acknowledgement email at the address provided during submission.
- At The Immigration Counter
Present your acknowledgement email and travel documents to the immigration officer upon arrival for verification.
