The Thailand arrival card, step by step

It’s free, it takes five minutes, and you file it in the three days before you land. Every non-Thai arrival needs one; passengers who never pass immigration don’t.

Since filming: this video was made just before the card went live on 1 May 2025. The live site opens three days before your arrival date, counting that day, and won’t take an earlier one. You can change your arrival date, flight and accommodation afterwards with Update Arrival Card, and one submission covers up to 10 people. The TDAC guide goes field by field.

The first-hour guide covers what happens after you land. This is the form itself.

Who has to fill it in

Foreign nationals entering Thailand by air, land or sea. That covers visa-free visitors, tourist-visa holders and residents returning on retirement, work or student visas. You need a new card for every entry.

When to file

File it in the three days before you land, counting the arrival day; the site won’t accept an earlier date. Late is fine: you can file at the gate if you have to.

Use the official site only

The only official portal is tdac.immigration.go.th, and it charges nothing. If a page asks for payment, close it.

What the form asks for

Have your passport, flight confirmation and first-night address open before you start.

• Passport and personal details. Name, passport number, nationality and date of birth. For dual citizens, the nationality must match the passport you are travelling on.
• Arrival details. Arrival date, the country where you boarded (or where you cross the border), purpose of travel, and your flight number, which is on the boarding pass and in your airline’s confirmation email.
• Accommodation. The full address of your first night only. No need to list the rest of the itinerary.
• Health declaration. The countries you’ve stayed in over the past two weeks. A yellow fever question appears only for some routes.

Immigration may ask for proof of onward travel, so have it ready.

Submit and save

Check your name, passport number, nationality and date of birth twice before you submit; those four can’t be edited. If one is wrong, file a new card. Then preview the card, enter your email address, accept the terms and submit.

A confirmation arrives by email, where you can download or print the card. The card is built for a phone, so print a copy too if your battery tends to run out on long flights.

Save the QR code where it opens offline.