Thailand Digital Arrival Card: How Indians Fill It In Before Flying

Updated October 2026 · HappyFares

If Thailand is next on your travel list, there is one online form you need to handle before you land, separate from any visa question. Here is how Indian travellers fill in the TDAC correctly.

What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card and who needs it?

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is an online arrival form that Thailand’s Immigration Bureau introduced to replace the earlier paper TM6 arrival card, with the digital version becoming mandatory for foreign travellers from 1 May 2025. Every non-Thai national entering the country by air, land or sea is expected to complete it, regardless of how long they plan to stay or whether they need a visa.

The form asks for passport details, personal and contact information, your travel itinerary, where you will be staying in Thailand, recently visited countries, and a basic health declaration.

When and how should Indians submit the TDAC?

You can submit the TDAC online at tdac.immigration.go.th within three days before your scheduled arrival in Thailand. Once submitted, the system issues a QR code, which you should keep accessible, either as a screenshot or printout, to show at Thai immigration on arrival. Filling it in from home before you fly, once your travel details are finalised, is generally more comfortable than trying to do it at the airport.

Is the TDAC free, and how do I avoid scam websites?

Yes, the TDAC is completely free on the official government site. Thai authorities have specifically warned travellers about fake lookalike websites that charge a fee, often around a few dollars, to “process” the same form. These are not run by the Thai government and offer no benefit over filing directly and for free at the official site. Always check that the web address you are using is the official immigration portal before entering your passport and travel details anywhere.

Do Indians still need a visa for Thailand in 2026?

Separately from the TDAC, the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi has confirmed that Indian ordinary passport holders get a visa-free entry allowance for tourism and short-term business of up to 30 days, effective from 15 September 2026. If your planned stay is longer than that, you would need to apply for the appropriate Thai e-visa in advance rather than relying on visa-free entry. Visa-free entry and the TDAC are two separate requirements, filing the TDAC does not replace any visa you might need, and having visa-free eligibility does not remove the need to file the TDAC.

What happens if I do not submit the TDAC before landing?

Travellers who arrive without having filed the TDAC in advance may face delays at the immigration counter and are generally directed to complete it on arrival where facilities allow, which eats into time you would rather spend starting your trip. Filing it in the three days before you fly, once your trip is finalised, avoids this altogether.

Common Questions

Is the TDAC the same thing as a Thai visa?

No. The TDAC is an arrival registration form required of nearly all foreign travellers regardless of visa status, while a visa, or visa-free entry eligibility, is a separate question about how long and under what basis you may stay in Thailand.

Can I submit the TDAC before my return ticket is finalised?

The TDAC asks for your travel itinerary and accommodation details, so it is simplest to complete it once your flights and at least your first few nights’ accommodation are confirmed, within the three-day window before arrival.

Does every traveller in my family need their own TDAC?

Each traveller passing through Thai immigration, including children, generally needs their own completed TDAC, since the form records individual passport and travel details.

Can I fill in the TDAC at the airport before boarding?

You can complete it any time within the three days before arrival, including from the airport before your flight, as long as you have internet access and your passport and travel details on hand.

What if I make a mistake while filling in the TDAC?

Check all details carefully before submitting, especially your passport number and arrival date, since the form is tied to that specific trip. If you do notice an error, the official site is the place to check for correction options rather than a third-party site.

Is there a paper option if I cannot access the TDAC online?

The TDAC replaced the paper TM6 arrival card as the standard route for foreign travellers. If you have any doubt about your specific situation, the official Thai immigration site is the authoritative source to check before you fly.

Entry requirements and visa rules change. Verify current TDAC and visa rules at tdac.immigration.go.th and with the Royal Thai Embassy before you travel.