Formalities
TDAC Thailand: How to Fill Out the Free Arrival Card, Step by Step
Five minutes on the official website—for free. The only online step that’s truly required before boarding a flight.
Verified on from the official Thai immigration website and the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris. This page is updated whenever the rules change.
The TDAC, which stands for Thailand Digital Arrival Card, is Thailand’s digital arrival card: a mandatory online form for all foreign travelers effective May 1, 2025, which replaces the old paper card distributed on the plane. It is completely free, must be completed within three days before arrival on the official Thai immigration website, and generates a QR code to be presented at passport control, either on your phone or as a printout.
If a page asks you to pay to access it, leave it: it's a third-party site. The official form takes five minutes to fill out. It isn't available in French, and that's exactly what this page is for.
TDAC at a Glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who should fill it out? | any foreign traveler, including children |
| When? | within 3 days before arrival in Thailand |
| Where? | tdac.immigration.go.th, the official immigration website |
| Price | free, always |
| Required Documents | passport, flight number, address for the first night |
| Upon arrival | QR code on a phone or printed out |
| Error after sending | can be edited via "Update Arrival Card" |
The official website, and only that website
The official website is tdac.immigration.go.th, operated by the Thai Immigration Bureau. The site even includes the phrase “free of charge” in its title because third-party websites—which often rank high in search results and look official—charge a fee for this free service. They do nothing more than fill out the form for you.
The official website is available in English, Japanese, Russian, Chinese, and Korean, but not in French. The following headings show you the corresponding terms.
What to Prepare, and the Terms You Need to Understand
All you need are three things on hand: your passport, your flight number, and the address of your first night's lodging. The main sections of the site:
| On the official website | What that means | What to Wear |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival Card | submit a new arrival card | the button to start your first request |
| Update Arrival Card | Edit a card that has already been sent | in the event of a change in flight or address |
| Full name | full name | exactly as it appears on the passport, in the same order |
| Passport number | passport number | without spaces |
| Nationality | nationality | French |
| Date of Birth | date of birth | Be aware of the Anglo-Saxon field order |
| Flight number | flight number | on your reservation confirmation, for example, TG931 |
| Address in Thailand | local address | Your hotel for the first night is enough |
When to fill it out: the three-day window
The TDAC form can be filled out no earlier than three days before arrival; this rule is posted on the official website itself. Specifically, for a Saturday arrival, the form becomes available to you as early as Wednesday. A good tip: Fill it out at the same time you check in for your flight online, the day before departure, when you have your flight number and the address for your first night’s stay on hand.
Upon arrival
Present the QR code you received at passport control, either on your phone screen or as a printout. Printing it out provides an extra layer of security in case your battery dies after the flight.
You made a mistake after sending it
No need to pay for a new card—and for good reason: everything is free. The official website features an “Update Arrival Card” button that lets you correct a card you’ve already submitted, including changes to your flight or hotel.
You are staying for more than 90 days
The official website states this right on its home page: After staying in the kingdom for more than 90 days, all foreigners must register in writing with the nearest immigration office and then renew this registration every 90 days. For information on the length of stay itself, see the Thailand visa page.
In summary
The TDAC has been mandatory since May 1, 2025; it is free and can be completed in five minutes at tdac.immigration.go.th within three days before arrival. Passport, flight number, and address for your first night’s stay—that’s all you need. Never pay for this process; simply present the QR code upon arrival, and if there’s an error, the “Edit” button on the official website will take care of it. The rest of your pre-departure preparations are covered in the checklist of formalities.
Is TDAC free?
Yes, it's completely free on the official website, tdac.immigration.go.th. Any website that charges for it is an intermediary that offers no added value.
When should you fill out the TDAC form?
Within three days before arriving in Thailand, online. The most convenient time to fill it out is the day before departure, at the same time you check in for your flight.
Where should I fill out the TDAC form?
On tdac.immigration.go.th, the official website of the Thai Immigration Bureau. This is the only legitimate website.
Can you correct a TDAC that has already been submitted?
Yes. The official website has an "Update Arrival Card" button that allows you to modify a card that has already been submitted—for example, after a change in flight or hotel.
Should children have a TDAC?
Yes. The official website states that all foreign passengers must fill out the form, regardless of their age.
Should we print the TDAC?
No, the QR code on your phone's screen is enough. Printing it out is just a backup in case your battery dies.
Does the TDAC replace a visa?
No. It is simply an arrival card, which does not grant any right to stay. Visas and visa exemptions are still subject to the usual rules.