Thailand digital arrival card (TDAC) + Entry Requirements
What You Need to Know Before Your Trip
Planning a trip to Thailand? All foreign travelers entering Thailand by air, land, or sea must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) prior to arrival. Replacing the traditional paper TM6 entry form, this online system streamlines border control and makes entering the Land of Smiles faster and smoother.
Here is everything you need to know about completing your arrival form on time and avoiding common travel delays.
What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?
The TDAC is an electronic travel declaration required by the Thai Immigration Bureau. It collects basic contact information, passport details, travel itineraries, and a brief health declaration.
The TDAC is strictly an arrival registration card, not a visa. If your nationality requires a visa or pre-arranged Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), you must still obtain that separately. Furthermore, submitting the TDAC is completely free of charge. Be cautious of third-party scam websites that attempt to charge fees for filing.
Who Needs to Fill It Out?
Registration is required for all non-Thai nationals, regardless of age, visa type, or length of stay. This includes infants and children traveling with family.
The only key exemptions are transit passengers who remain airside without passing through Thai immigration control, as well as border-pass holders entering from neighboring nations.
When Should You Complete It?
You can submit your TDAC within 3 days (72 hours) of your scheduled arrival in Thailand. For example, if you are arriving in Thailand on October 10, you can complete the online form anytime starting October 7. The system will not accept submissions attempted earlier than 72 hours before arrival.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply
1. First, visit the official Thai Immigration Bureau portal at tdac.immigration.go.th. Do not use secondary registration sites, the official site which can be found here: https://tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card
2. Next, choose whether to register as an individual or add family members traveling together under a group submission.
Then, enter your personal information in standard English without accents or special characters. You will need your full name, date of birth, passport number, expiry date, nationality, flight or vehicle number, port of entry, date of arrival, purpose of visit, full address of your first accommodation in Thailand, and any countries visited within the past 14 days.
Finally, review your entries carefully and submit. Once processed, you will receive a digital confirmation containing a unique QR Code via email.
What to Do Upon Arrival
Upon reaching Thai border control, simply display your TDAC QR Code to the immigration officer on your smartphone or tablet.
As a helpful tip, save a screenshot of the QR code or keep a printed copy in your carry-on luggage in case you experience poor mobile reception or network issues at the airport or border crossing.
Thailand Entry Requirements: Essential Checklist for Foreign Visitors
Heading to Thailand soon? Passing through border control smoothly requires having a few essential documents and preparations in order before you arrive. Here is a checklist of the official entry requirements and what immigration officers may ask you to present upon landing.
Passport Validity and Onward Travel Ticket
Your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining from your exact date of entry into Thailand.
Immigration officers may also request proof of onward or return travel. This means showing a confirmed flight or transit ticket leaving Thailand within the permitted stay period allowed by your visa or visa-exemption status.
Proof of Accommodation and TM30 Reporting
You must be able to demonstrate where you will be staying during your visit. Keep a copy of your initial hotel or resort booking confirmation accessible on your mobile phone or printed out.
If you are staying at a private residence, rented condo, or Airbnb, the property owner or host is legally required to submit a TM30 notification form to Thai Immigration to officially register your presence. While filing the TM30 report is your host's responsibility, keeping a copy of your host's contact details, rental agreement, or local address handy is recommended in case officers request verification.
Mandatory Proof of Financial Means (Cash Requirement)
Under Section 12 of the Thai Immigration Act, officers have discretionary power to check whether incoming travelers hold sufficient financial funds to support themselves during their visit.
For travelers entering on a Tourist Visa or Visa Exemption, the standard legal requirement is equivalent to 20,000 Thai Baht per person, or 40,000 Thai Baht per family. For those entering under a Visa on Arrival, the requirement is 10,000 Thai Baht per person, or 20,000 Thai Baht per family.
Officers specifically require this proof in physical cash or traveler's cheques. Digital bank account balances, mobile banking apps, and credit cards are regularly declined if an officer conducts a spot check. The cash does not need to be in local Thai Baht; major foreign currencies equal to the required amount, such as US Dollars, Euros, or British Pounds, are fully accepted.
Preparation Summary
To ensure a seamless arrival, keep your printed or digital copies of your passport, onward flight ticket, accommodation booking, and physical cash together in your carry-on bag so you can easily present them at the counter if requested.
Cash Limits and Customs Declaration Rules
In addition to demonstrating adequate travel funds at immigration, travelers must adhere to Thai Customs regulations regarding the maximum physical cash permitted when entering or departing Thailand.
Bringing Thai Baht into Thailand
There is no legal upper limit on how much physical Thai Baht currency you can bring into Thailand. However, travelers entering on standard tourist status are typically capped at bringing in up to 50,000 Thai Baht in cash without needing a special customs declaration.
Carrying Thai Baht out of Thailand
Strict limits apply when taking Thai Baht out of the country. If you are traveling to countries that border Thailand—namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam, or China's Yunnan province—you can take out up to 2,000,000 Thai Baht, but any amount over 450,000 Baht must be declared to Thai Customs officials upon departure. For travel to any other country worldwide, you are legally permitted to take out a maximum of 50,000 Thai Baht per person without prior authorization from the Bank of Thailand.
Foreign Currency Limits (USD, EUR, GBP, etc.)
There is no limit on how much foreign currency you can bring into or take out of Thailand. However, if the total aggregate value of foreign cash or negotiable monetary instruments you are carrying equals or exceeds 20,000 US Dollars (or the equivalent in other foreign currencies), you are legally required to declare it to a Customs Officer at the Red Channel upon entry or departure. Failing to declare cash above this threshold is a criminal offense under Thai customs law.
Sawadee krab, I hope you enjoy your stay in Thailand, stay safe, chok dee krab....
