Thailand has dropped the old paper TM6 card and replaced it with the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, or TDAC. That change sounds simple, but many travelers still search for “Thailand ETA” and end up confused before they even pack.
As of March 2026, the main pre-arrival form most foreign visitors need is the TDAC, not a separate ETA. It’s free, online, and now part of the normal entry process for non-Thai travelers arriving by air, land, or sea. In this guide, you’ll learn who needs it, what details to gather, when to submit it, and how to complete the form step by step without last-minute stress.
Who must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before entering Thailand
If you’re not a Thai citizen, you need a TDAC before entering Thailand. That rule applies whether you arrive by plane, cross a land border, or come in by sea. It also covers tourists, business travelers, people entering under visa exemption, visa holders, students, retirees, and long-term residents.
Thai citizens don’t need the form. Also, travelers who stay completely airside in transit and do not pass through immigration generally don’t need it.
The TDAC is free. It does not replace your visa, your visa exemption, or any other entry rule. If your nationality needs a visa, you still need that visa. If you’re visa-exempt, the TDAC still applies because it’s an arrival registration, not permission to stay.
Thailand’s tourism authority has also published an official TDAC guideline , which matches the current rule that all non-Thai nationals must file before entry.
The difference between the TDAC, a visa, and the old Thailand ETA search term
This is where many travelers mix things up, so here’s the short version first.
| Item | What it is | What it does |
|---|---|---|
|
TDAC
|
Free online arrival form | Registers your trip before entry |
|
Visa
|
Entry permission for some travelers | Allows travel based on visa rules |
|
TM6
|
Old paper arrival card | Replaced by the TDAC |
|
“Thailand ETA”
|
Common search term | Often used loosely, but not the main active arrival form for most travelers in 2026 |
The takeaway is simple. The TDAC is the form you submit before arrival. It replaced the paper TM6. Meanwhile, a visa is a separate immigration requirement, and the term “Thailand ETA” often shows up in search results even when travelers really mean the TDAC.
What you need before you start the online TDAC form
A little prep makes the form feel easy. Think of it like laying out your clothes before an early flight. Two minutes of prep can save 20 minutes of fumbling.
Have these details ready in Englishbefore you begin:
- Passport and personal details: Full name, nationality, passport number, date of birth, passport expiry date
- Contact details: Email address and phone number
- Trip details: Arrival date, departure date if known, country of departure, travel mode, and flight number or vehicle number
- Thailand stay details: Hotel name, full address, city or province
- Trip purpose and health info: Tourism, business, family visit, plus countries visited in the last 14 days and any required yellow fever information if it applies
In most cases, you do notneed to pay a fee, upload a photo, or attach files. The form usually takes only a few minutes if your details are ready. Some versions of the form may offer passport scan help, but you should still check every field by hand.
Use only the official Thailand Digital Arrival Card website
Use only the official TDAC website . That’s the free government form.
Lookalike sites can appear in search results and ask for payment for something that costs nothing. If a site wants a service fee for the TDAC itself, back out. Before entering passport details, check that you’re on the government domain and not a copycat page.
If a site charges you just to submit the TDAC, you’re on the wrong website.
How to register for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, step by step
The process is simple once you know the order. Here is the cleanest way to do it.
- Wait until the right window opens.The TDAC can be submitted only within 72 hours of arrival, including the arrival day. If you try too early, the system may reject the form.
- Open the official form and choose the right option.If you’re filing for one person, choose the individual option. If you’re traveling with family or a small group, the system may let one person submit for everyone, up to 10 travelers on one submission.
- Select your travel mode.Choose air, land, or sea. This matters because the form asks for different travel details depending on how you enter Thailand.
- Enter your personal information.Type your full name exactly as shown in your passport. Match the passport number, nationality, date of birth, and expiry date with no shortcuts, no nicknames, and no missing middle names if the passport includes them.
- Add your contact details.Use an email address you can open during your trip. Most travelers receive their confirmation quickly by email, so this step matters more than it seems. Add a phone number you actually use.
- Fill in your arrival details.Enter your arrival date, country of departure, and flight number or vehicle number. If you’re flying, double-check the flight code. A small typo can slow things down later.
- Add your Thailand address.For most visitors, this means the first hotel or accommodation address. If you’re staying in more than one place, list the first place you’ll sleep after arrival.
- Choose the purpose of your trip.Select tourism, business, visiting family, or the option that best matches your reason for travel. Keep it honest and simple.
- Complete the health declaration.You’ll usually need to list countries visited in the past 14 days. If you are arriving from a yellow fever risk area, have that vaccine proof ready in case officers ask for it.
- Review every field before submitting.This is the moment to slow down. Key identity details may not be easy to change later. Thailand’s switch from the paper card to the digital system, explained in this TM6 to TDAC update , removed paper hassle, but it also means typos matter more.
- Submit and save your confirmation.In many cases, the confirmation email arrives quickly. Save it on your phone, then take a screenshot or download the PDF as a backup. If your inbox is slow, check spam or junk.
Most travelers finish the form in about 5 to 10 minutes. It’s not hard, but it’s not a form you want to rush through in an airport line with weak Wi-Fi.
When to submit your TDAC so you do not run into delays
The timing rule is easy once you see it as a three-day window.
If you arrive in Thailand on January 14, you can submit starting on January 11. If you try on January 10, you’re too early. Because the system is built around fresh travel data, earlier submissions may be blocked.
The best move is to complete it two to three days before departurewhen your plans are firm. That gives you time to fix mistakes, find the confirmation email, and avoid doing it under pressure. Don’t leave it until you’re standing at immigration or rushing to board.
What to show at immigration after you submit the form
After submission, you’ll usually show your TDAC confirmation on your phone. In many cases, that includes a QR-style confirmation or linked document sent by email. A printed copy is optional, but it’s smart to keep one if you like paper backups.
You’ll still need your passport, and you may also need other entry documents, such as a visa, proof of onward travel, or proof of funds if an officer asks. A helpful step-by-step TDAC guide can give you an extra visual check before you fly.
Keep the TDAC confirmation until you leave Thailand. Even if immigration only checks it once, it’s better to have it close by during the trip.
Common TDAC mistakes that can slow down your entry
Most problems come from a few simple mistakes.
The first is submitting too early. Travelers often see “before arrival” and assume they can do it weeks ahead. The TDAC doesn’t work that way. The second is passport typos. One wrong number can turn a quick entry into a long chat at the counter.
Another common problem is using the wrong Thailand address. Don’t guess your hotel details from memory. Pull the exact address from your booking or ask the property to send it. Also, don’t assume you can edit everything later. Some details, especially identity fields, may be locked after submission. If that happens, you may need to start over with a new form.
A solid TDAC complete guide can help if you want another source to compare against before you submit.
Quick tips for a smooth arrival in Thailand
A few small habits make a big difference:
- Save a screenshotof your confirmation in case your email won’t load
- Check your spam folderif the confirmation doesn’t appear right away
- Ask your hotel for the full addressbefore you start the form
- Keep proof of onward travel handyif your entry type may require it
- Store your passport and TDAC confirmation togetherso you can reach both quickly at immigration
These are simple steps, but they work like spare batteries in a flashlight. You may not need them, yet you’ll be glad they’re there if something goes wrong.
Thailand’s entry process is much easier once you know what the TDAC is and when to file it. The form is free, required for non-Thai travelers, and best completed within 72 hours before arrival through the official site. If you gather your passport, travel, and hotel details first, the whole process is usually quick. File it early in the allowed window, save your confirmation, and you’ll give yourself a calmer start when you land in Thailand.
