Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) – New Arrival Rules from 1 May 2025
🕒 Approx. Reading Time: 7- 8 minutes
What is the new Thailand Digital Arrival Card? 😕
If you’re heading to Thailand from 1 May 2025, you’ll need to complete the new Thailand Digital Arrival Card, or TDAC. It’s a modern replacement for the old paper-based TM6 form that most of us remember from previous trips.
Thailand is shifting to a digital, paperless system to streamline border processes, reduce paperwork, and improve security. Like many countries, it’s part of a broader move towards more efficient and smart travel systems.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to enter Thailand and what changes apply to vegan travellers – Spoiler: changes apply to everyone 😊

How To Fill Out the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) – 2025 Guide ✍️
It’s quite simple and can be done before you leave from the comfort of your own computer or phone.
Apply online at the official Thai Immigration TDAC portal:
https://tdac.immigration.go.th.
or scan the barcode below

What Information Will You Need to Provide? ℹ

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) must be submitted within 3 days before your arrival, including the day you arrive. Here’s what the form asks for:
- Personal details – Full name, passport number, nationality, phone number, and email
- Trip details – Flight number, purpose of visit, and the address of your first accommodation
- Health declaration – Only required if you’ve visited certain countries affected by yellow fever
🔍 Tip: Just input the first hotel you’re staying at – even if you plan to move around. Hotels you stay at next will register your stay with immigration anyway.
📌 TDAC Quick Checklist:
✓ Submit within 3 days of arrival, including your arrival day
✓ Add your first hotel address – even if you’re moving around
✓ Skip health questions unless arriving from yellow fever countries
✓ Save your confirmation email – screenshot or print
✓ Show it at immigration along with your passport
What Happens When You Arrive to Thailand?

You’ll still go through immigration as usual, but now you’ll also need to show your Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) acknowledgement email. You can display this on your phone or bring a printed copy.
Later on, Thailand may roll out automated gates and QR codes, but for now, the process is as follows:
Queue at immigration (no change there)
Show your passport
Present your TDAC confirmation email
If you didn’t complete it beforehand, don’t worry – kiosks and free Wi-Fi are available at airports to help you fill it out on arrival. Still, it’s much smoother if you do it in advance.
TDAC for Land, Sea, and Air Travellers to Thailand 🌏
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) isn’t just for air travel. Whether you’re arriving by land, sea, or air, you’ll need to complete a new TDAC each time you enter Thailand.
So, if you’re taking a side trip to Cambodia, Malaysia, or Laos and re-entering, or if you’re an expat living in Thailand and returning after a visit home, be sure to fill out a fresh TDAC form.
In Transit? – If you’re in transit only (not officially entering the country), you won’t need to complete one 🙌🏻
📌 Do I need a TDAC?
✓ Yes – every time you re-enter Thailand
X No – if you’re staying airside in transit

Health Questions: Do They Apply to You? 😷
Most travellers won’t need to worry about this. The health section only becomes active if you’ve recently been in a small group of countries affected by yellow fever.
This section will automatically be shown or not depending on your answers. If you’ve visited places that are not on the yellow fever list, like Norway or Japan recently, you won’t see any additional health questions pop up. The online Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system filters based on your answers.
Vegan Travellers: How the New Thailand Entry System Affects You 🌱
When you travel plant-based, there’s always a bit more planning – from downloading the HappyCow app to packing snacks for a long flight.
Sorting your arrival paperwork ahead of time means fewer surprises at immigration and more time to focus on the fun stuff, like that first bowl of vegan tom yum soup or exploring Bangkok’s amazing markets.
If you’re joining a GoVegan Travel Thailand tour, we’ll look after all the food and logistics on the ground, but you’ll still need to handle your Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) form yourself.

Final Thoughts 🤔
To the naysayers, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) might sound like another piece of red tape, but it’s a small and welcome upgrade. The old form was easy to lose or misread (maybe that’s just me and my spider handwriting).
At the end of the day, it takes just a few minutes to complete, can be done at home and can save you a lot of time and hassle trying to borrow a pen on the plane (again, maybe just me).
And for vegan travellers? Anything that can save time and hassle at the airport so we have a little extra time to inspect the food labels at the convenience store and find a vegan friendly restaurant can only be a bonus!
Honestly, if you’ve never travelled to Thailand before, then you’ll probably be happy with the new system, especially as it it progresses and becomes more familiar to everyone. For those who have travelled here before, it should come as a welcome upgrade. I for one used to dislike the old paper TM6, as it easily got lost.
Leave a comment:
Are you planning a trip to Thailand this year? Were you aware of the upcoming changes?
If you’re reading this later, have you already used the TDAC system? Share your experience in the comments – we’d love to know how it went.
If things still feel a bit confusing take a look at the official guide from the Thai Immigration below
Common Questions Answered ⁉🙋🏻♂️
Q: “Does everyone in my travel group need to submit a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?”
A: Yes, each individual traveller needs to submit their own TDAC form.
Q: “What if I don’t have a smartphone?”
A: You can use a computer or one of the airport kiosks on arrival. But doing it beforehand is quicker and less stressful.
Q: “Do I need a QR code?”
A: Not at the time of writing. Just your confirmation email is enough, but we suspect that QR codes will be introduced at some point.
Q: “What happens if I forget?”
A: There will be kiosks at the airport, but it’s much easier to do it before your flight.
Q: “What if I make a mistake on my ?”
A: You can re-submit a corrected version before your flight. Just revisit the You can re-submit a corrected version before your flight. Make sure the final version is the one you show to immigration., linked above. Make sure the final version is the one you show to immigration.
Q: “Do I need to fill out the TDAC if I already have a visa?”
A: Yes, all foreign travellers, regardless of visa type, must complete the TDAC before entering Thailand.
Q: “I live in Thailand on a retirement, marriage or work visa – what do I put as my country of residence?”
A: If you live here long-term, you should now be able to select Thailand. That option wasn’t available at first, but it’s reportedly fixed. If there’s still an issue, just list your country of origin and explain to the immigration officer.
Need more information on whether Thailand really is a good destination for vegan travellers. Click the link below:
Vegan Travel in Thailand: Is the Land of Smiles Really Vegan-Friendly?.