If you travelled to Thailand before 2022, you probably remember the airline staff handing out an arrival form before you landed at Bangkok Airport. You may also remember seeing the standing desks before you went through to immigration, where blurry-eyed travellers getting off a long-haul flight scrambled to find a pen that works to fill out the form. That form was called a TM6. The need to complete a TM6 was suspended in June 2022 with Thai authorities saying they wanted to make the entry process quicker.
The new arrival form for Thailand:
From 1 May 2025, a new digital version of the TM6 will be in place. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) must be completed online. The TDAC is free and will be required for all non-Thais travelling to Thailand by air, sea or land. This doesn’t just apply to tourists; it’s all non-Thais. Even if you live and work in Thailand, under the new system you will need a TDAC the next time you arrive in Thailand.
The only exceptions for foreigners are:
- Those in transit to another destination who aren’t passing through immigration control.
- Anyone entering Thailand using a border pass (e.g. residents of Malaysia, Laos eligible for a border pass)
As always in Thailand, things are subject to change but the video below from the Thailand Immigration Bureau is a good introduction to how the new system will work.
How to apply for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
The TDAC is free of charge; only apply via the official website.
Apply via the official website here: https://tdac.immigration.go.th
The user guide here may help: https://tdac.immigration.go.th/manual/en/index.html
As it stands at the moment, the earliest you can fill out the online form is three days before you arrive in Thailand. If you forget to fill out the online form before you travel, it appears you can do it online when you land in Thailand (before queuing for immigration) if you have access to wifi.
After completing the online form, you will receive a QR code. Upon arrival in Thailand, present this QR code along with your passport to the immigration officer. You can display the QR code on your smartphone or tablet, or provide a printed copy.
Teething problems
With less than a month to go before the scheduled launch date, there are still unanswered questions about the new system. As so often with any new rules or regulations in Thailand, there is usually some confusion. I’ve tested out the new site and there are some teething problems and areas where it could/should be simpler.
My main takeaway from all this is, don’t panic. Thailand isn’t the only country in the world where you have to fill out details online before you arrive. Is it ideal? No, but it’s only a minor inconvenience. I think of this as the online version of the old TM6 card and for most travellers, it will be quick and easy to fill out.
