Every foreign visitor to Thailand now has to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, or TDAC, before they arrive — it's a mandatory entry step, separate from any visa question. The good news is it's quick, online, and completely free on the official government site. The bad news is that look-alike sites try to charge you for it, and a few simple mistakes can cause hassle at immigration. Here's exactly how to do it right.
Important: entry procedures change. Always complete the TDAC on the official Thai government portal and verify the current process before you travel, since the details can be updated.
What is the TDAC?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is an online immigration form that replaced the old paper TM6 arrival card. It collects your basic travel and personal details — passport information, flight details, and where you're staying — before you arrive, speeding up the immigration process. It applies to all foreign nationals entering Thailand by air, land, or sea, regardless of whether you need a visa. So even though Americans enter visa-free for tourism, you still must complete the TDAC.
When to complete it
You file the TDAC within 72 hours (three days) before your arrival in Thailand — not earlier. So the day before your flight is the natural time to do it. Don't leave it until you're standing in the airport, where you'll be relying on patchy WiFi and rushing; complete it calmly at home or your hotel the day before you fly. If you're entering Thailand more than once on a trip (say, a side trip to a neighboring country and back), you'll need to file a fresh TDAC for each entry.
How to fill it out, step by step
The process is straightforward and takes about ten minutes:
1. Go to the official site. Use only the official Thai immigration TDAC portal. Double-check the web address — see the warning about fake sites below.
2. Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport: full name, nationality, passport number, and date of birth.
3. Add your travel details: your arrival date, flight number, and the purpose of your visit (tourism, for a normal vacation).
4. Provide your accommodation — the name and address of your first hotel or where you'll be staying.
5. Submit and save the confirmation. You'll receive a confirmation (often a QR code or reference); save it to your phone and ideally print or screenshot it as backup.
Avoid the fake fee sites
This is the most important warning: the official TDAC is completely free. A number of third-party websites are designed to look official and will charge you a "service fee" to file it for you. They often rank high in search results and use official-sounding names. Don't use them. Make sure you're on the genuine Thai government immigration site before entering any details — both to avoid the unnecessary fee and to protect your personal information.
Common mistakes to avoid
Filing too early: the system only accepts submissions within 72 hours of arrival, so an attempt a week ahead won't work. Typos in passport details: mismatches between your TDAC and your passport can cause delays — enter everything exactly as printed. Forgetting accommodation details: have your first hotel's name and address ready. Not saving the confirmation: keep the QR code or reference accessible offline in case airport WiFi fails. And assuming you don't need it because you're visa-exempt — you do.
The bottom line
The TDAC is a simple, free, ten-minute online form you complete within three days before flying to Thailand. Use only the official government site, enter your details exactly as they appear on your passport, save the confirmation, and you're set. It's an easy step as long as you avoid the fee-charging imitation sites and don't leave it to the last minute. It costs nothing, so a currency converter isn't needed here — but for the rest of your trip budgeting, one helps:
FAQ
Is the TDAC mandatory for Americans?
Yes. All foreign visitors, including visa-exempt American tourists, must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before arriving by air, land, or sea.
How much does the TDAC cost?
Nothing — it's free on the official Thai government site. Avoid third-party websites that charge a "service fee"; they're unofficial and unnecessary.
When should I fill out the TDAC?
Within 72 hours (three days) before you arrive in Thailand. The day before your flight is ideal — do it at home rather than relying on airport WiFi.
What do I need to complete the TDAC?
Your passport details, flight information, arrival date, purpose of visit, and the name and address of your first accommodation. Save the confirmation QR code or reference afterward.
