Thailand to launch digital arrival card for foreign visitors

Starting May 1, 2025, all foreign travellers to Thailand, regardless of visa status or length of stay, must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before being allowed entry into the country.

Thailand’s immigration authorities have replaced the old paper entry requirement in favor of a digital one.

The TDAC is a new digital travel requirement that is designed to help immigration authorities track foreign citizens who enter Thailand. It is intended to prevent criminal elements from entering the country and provide better security for visitors and citizens alike. It also includes a health declaration to help prevent the spread of communicable diseases from abroad, according to Thailand Foreign Affairs Ministry.

TDAC registration must be completed prior to arrival. Travelers will receive an electronic confirmation upon completing the online registration, which must be presented to a border agent.

This is mandatory for all foreigners entering the country by air, land or sea routes. Also, every member of a family traveling together must complete a TDAC, although the online system allows for joint applications to make the process smoother.

The forms can be accessed on the Thai Immigration Bureau’s website.

Travelers may submit the online forms up to three days before their scheduled arrival date and they can be submitted individually or as a group, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Required details include passport information, personal and travel details, accommodation in Thailand, and a basic health declaration. It’s modeled on the digital arrival card requirements in many other countries.

The arrival cards will be synced with Thai immigration bureau’s biometric database, which will allow for screening of criminal backgrounds of visitors.

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