Thailand Arrival Card Online: How to Complete TDAC 2025

Timeline: May 1, 2025 · Required for: all non-Thai nationals · Window: within 3 days before arrival · Official platform: tdac.immigration.go.th (free) · Entry modes: air, land, and sea

Timeline: May 1, 2025 — TDAC mandatory for all foreign nationals (U.S. Embassy Bangkok) · Ongoing — submission required within 3 days before arrival (official TDAC FAQ) · Ongoing — cash rule legally required but not always checked (Royal Thai Consulate-General Hong Kong)

Is there an online arrival card for Thailand?

Yes. The only official place to submit the TDAC is the Thailand Immigration Bureau’s own portal, tdac.immigration.go.th. The same portal hosts the official TDAC manual and the official FAQ section if you get stuck.

If you have searched for “Thailand arrival card online,” you know the internet is full of third-party services that charge fees. None of those are the government channel. The official form asks for passport details, flight information, accommodation address, a health declaration, and a valid email address for the confirmation QR code.

According to Travel Classroom (a travel guidance site), fields without a red asterisk can be left blank if they do not apply, so you will not be penalized for skipping optional questions.

The pattern: every paid “arrival card” service is a workaround for a form the government already lets you file directly.

Is an arrival card still required in Thailand?

Yes, for every non-Thai national. The TDAC is mandatory for all foreigners entering by air, land, or sea, and it replaces the old paper arrival card. Thai nationals are outside the requirement.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill the TDAC

1. Go to tdac.immigration.go.th — the official portal managed by the Thai Immigration Bureau.
2. Select your language (English is available) and click on the “Apply” or “Fill in” button.
3. Enter your passport details, full name, date of birth, nationality, and travel document number exactly as printed.
4. Provide your flight or vessel details — airline, flight number, and expected arrival time — and your accommodation contact details.
5. Complete the health declaration section, which asks about recent symptoms or contact with sick travelers.
6. Provide a valid email address, tick the terms of agreement, and submit.

After submission, you will receive a confirmation with a QR code by email, which you should keep both on your phone and on paper. If your flight or arrival details change after submission, some guides suggest an update flow exists, though not every traveler has confirmed this. TIsland Travel (a travel information service) notes that you can generate or retrieve your QR code via email if you lose it, but the system does not always send a second copy, so save the first email carefully.

The takeaway: the form is short, but the QR code is your only export; save the email before you close the browser.

When should I fill the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

The official requirement says you must submit the TDAC within 3 days of your arrival. If you submit earlier, the system may reject your application — so set a reminder exactly 72 hours before departure, not when you first book your flight.

What to watch: the “within 3 days” window is based on your arrival date, not your departure date. A traveler who books weeks ahead should not treat the booking confirmation as the moment to file.

The catch: submitting too early is a more common mistake than submitting too late, because the official portal does not always clarify the rejection reason.

How much does TDAC cost?

The official TDAC costs nothing. The Thailand Immigration Bureau does not charge an administrative fee, and the form asks only for passport, travel, accommodation, health declaration, and email details.

The implication: “free” is not a promotional hook; it is the only legal price for the form.

Do I really need 20,000 baht to enter Thailand?

One of the most misunderstood parts of entering Thailand is the proof-of-funds rule. The official requirement is 20,000 THB per person, or 40,000 THB per family, in cash or equivalent foreign currency. This rule is legally required but often not checked at immigration, according to multiple travel sources. However, “not always checked” is not the same as “never checked,” and being without the money can earn you a denial of entry.

The cash requirement applies to foreign nationals entering by any means — air, land, or sea — and you can prove it with any major currency, not just Thai baht. If you bring US dollars, euros, or your home currency, the officer will calculate an equivalent value. There is no fee to show this money, and no registration; you simply carry it with you and present it if asked.

Why the Confusion? Missing Context on Proof of Funds

Most travel forums and airport stories mention the rule in passing, but rarely explain how to prove it. The official requirement — 20,000 THB per person, or 40,000 THB for families — is rarely checked for tourists on short stays, but immigration has the legal right to request it. The U.S. Embassy in Thailand explicitly advises travelers to verify the cash threshold before departure, and the Royal Thai Consulate-General Hong Kong publishes the same figures.

In an advisory cited by Visa Verge (a travel advisory tracking site), travelers were told to carry complete travel documents and, in some cases, show 20,000 THB in cash at immigration. Experts point out that the requirement applies in two ways: you must have the actual money on your person, not just in a bank account, and the “family” definition applies to spouses and children traveling together. If you are a solo backpacker with a 15,000 THB balance in a Thai bank, that will not satisfy the officer. Carry the cash or a currency exchange receipt, and treat the rule as a hard requirement even if you expect leniency.

How much cash to bring to Thailand for 2 weeks?

There is no official daily spending minimum for tourists; the 20,000 THB requirement is a proof-of-funds rule, not a spending target. For a two-week stay, carry enough for accommodation, food, and transport, plus the 20,000 THB equivalent in cash or a mix of cash and cards if you want to avoid relying on ATMs.

The pattern: the legal question at immigration is access to funds, not your total budget.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Most travelers who encounter problems with the TDAC make a simple error: they use a third-party website that charges a fee. The official government platform is free, and the submission process takes under ten minutes. A second common mistake is submitting too early — the form is only valid within 3 days of arrival, so plan accordingly.

Another frequent issue is the health declaration section. It is part of the TDAC, and some travelers skip it accidentally, leading to an incomplete form. The form includes a section asking about recent symptoms, exposure to sick individuals, and any fever within the last 14 days. Answer honestly, because health data is used for disease surveillance, not for denial unless you show active symptoms.

What to Watch When Filling Out the Form

• Passport number must match exactly — a typo can invalidate the form.
• Email address is mandatory for receiving the confirmation and QR code.
• Some travel guides suggest leaving non-required fields blank if they are not relevant — this is fine.
• You can update flight details if your itinerary changes, but not every system generates a new QR code automatically.
• Save the email with the QR code — there is no “re-send” button on the official portal.

The catch: the official portal does not have a “resend QR code” option in all browsers, so keep your confirmation email safe — it is the only export you get.

What People Are Saying

The TDAC requirement is a simple shift from the old paper card; the form takes minutes, but the cash rule is a separate step that travelers should verify before departure.

— U.S. Embassy in Thailand (official diplomatic mission)

Fields without a red asterisk can be left blank if not applicable; you still need a valid email and consent to terms before final submission.

— Travel Classroom (travel guidance resource)

Some travelers report that the TDAC generates a QR code by email, which you can save to your phone or print as a backup.

— TIsland Travel (travel information blog)

Why this matters: the consensus across official and secondary sources is that the TDAC is a simple, free form, while the cash rule remains separate and inconsistently enforced. Preparation, not luck, is what gets you through immigration.

Frequently Asked Questions

The FAQ answers confirm the practical split: the online form is free and fixed, while the cash rule stays discretionary in enforcement but mandatory on paper.

Related Reading

For more context on traveling to Thailand, consider the Eastern & Oriental Express Guide: Cost, Route, Dress Code, which covers luxury rail travel in the region, or if you are staying in Bangkok, the Lyf Sukhumvit 8 Bangkok: Reviews, Location, Check-Out article offers practical accommodation tips for digital nomads and tourists.

For most travelers, the practical takeaway is simple: use the official TDAC portal, submit within three days, and carry funds equal to 20,000 THB per person so a routine check does not end the trip.