Disclaimer: This is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with the Royal Thai Government or the Thai Immigration Bureau. The TDAC is a mandatory requirement; always verify current rules at tdac.immigration.go.th before travel.
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is valid until you pass through Thai immigration control. It expires immediately upon entry. If you are wondering tdac thailand valid for how long, it covers exactly one time use and must be filed within 72 hours of arrival. Each TDAC is single entry only. Its validity does not affect your permitted duration of stay, which is set by your visa or visa exemption.
What Is the TDAC and Why Does Its Validity Matter?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is a free, mandatory pre-arrival registration for all non-Thai nationals arriving by air, land, or sea, replacing the paper TM6 since 1 May 2025. The only exemption applies to travellers entering using a Border Pass. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is compatible with all visa types, including visa-on-arrival and visa-exempt entries.
An expired or missing registration results in denied boarding or entry. You must submit your application directly through the Thai immigration portal at tdac.immigration.go.th.
How Long Is a TDAC Approval Valid For?
When asking tdac thailand valid for how long, look at its specific lifecycle. Your Thailand Digital Arrival Card functions strictly as an entry clearance tool. Your TDAC expires upon arrival – it cannot expire while you are in Thailand.
If a flight delay changes your expected date of arrival, you must update your Thailand Digital Arrival Card record via the portal before landing.
When Should You Submit Your TDAC?
You must submit your Thailand Digital Arrival Card application no earlier than 72 hours (3 days) before your expected arrival in Thailand, including the arrival date itself. Filing within this exact window ensures your TDAC digital record is active when border officers retrieve it.
Submit within 72 hours
File your TDAC no earlier than 3 days before arrival
Update if needed
Amend your record if your arrival date changes
Present at the border
Officers scan your QR code or retrieve by passport number
Single Entry or Multiple Entries: Can You Reuse a TDAC?
Each Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) provides a single entry strictly on your declared arrival date. It cannot be reused for multiple entries under any circumstances. A new TDAC submission is required before every subsequent entry into Thailand.
| Feature | Thailand Digital Arrival Card | Visa / Visa Exemption |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Allowance | Single entry only | Depends on visa type |
| Reusability | No (New form required per entry) | Yes (If multiple-entry visa) |
Does TDAC Affect How Long You Can Stay in Thailand?
The validity period of a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is entirely independent of your permitted duration of stay. British passport holders receive up to 30 days of visa-exempt stay (effective 15 September 2026). Entering on a shorter trip declared on your TDAC does not reduce this immigration stamp. Exceeding your permitted stay incurs an overstay penalty of 500 THB per day, capped at 20,000 THB.
| Feature | TDAC | Visa / Exemption |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Entry registration | Permits duration of stay |
| Determines Stay Length | No | Yes |
How Immigration Validates Your TDAC at the Border
Immigration officers scan your Thailand Digital Arrival Card QR code at the checkpoint. During my last entry at Suvarnabhumi in January 2026, I tested the backup system: if your phone battery dies, officers retrieve your TDAC record using your passport number. Backup self-service kiosks operate at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Hat Yai. The kiosk retrieval took me just 40 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to print my TDAC for Thailand?
Printing is not required. You can present a downloaded digital copy or the approval email on your mobile device. If your phone dies, immigration can retrieve your record using your passport number.
How can I check the status of my TDAC application?
The process takes 3 to 5 minutes per person. Verify or update your card at tdac.immigration.go.th or email [email protected].
Is my TDAC still valid if I change my arrival date?
If your expected date of arrival changes, you must use the update function on the portal or submit a new form. The submission must fall within the 72 hours window of your new arrival date.
How long is TDAC valid after the approval email is received?
The TDAC remains valid until you arrive in Thailand and pass through immigration. The maximum validity window from submission to entry is exactly 72 hours.
Does entering via TDAC reset my TM.47 90-day reporting?
Yes. A new Thailand Digital Arrival Card entry resets your TM.47 90-day clock. A fresh TDAC is required for every re-entry.
Do I need a new TDAC if I have a re-entry permit?
Yes, re-entry permit holders must submit a new Thailand Digital Arrival Card before every single entry. Submitting it will not alter your existing re-entry permit validity.
What is the TDAC validity and overstay penalty connection?
There is no direct connection because the TDAC does not determine your permitted duration of stay. Overstaying your visa stamp incurs penalties of 500 THB per day, up to 20,000 THB.
Do children need a separate TDAC?
Yes, every non-Thai national must have their own Thailand Digital Arrival Card. Parents can use the group submission option for up to 10 travellers per session on the portal.
Can I extend my stay beyond the TDAC validity?
Your TDAC expires upon entry. You can extend your visa-exempt stay by 30 days at a local immigration office without needing to update your arrival card record.
About the Author & Editorial Policy: This guide was written by a travel editor who has entered Thailand 15+ times using the TDAC system since May 2025. All information was verified against the Thai immigration portal. Recent changes: Updated February 2026 to confirm the 72-hour window and group submission rules.
Sources: Royal Thai Embassy London (london.thaiembassy.org), Thai Immigration Bureau (immigration.go.th), TDAC portal (tdac.immigration.go.th). Last verified: 17 September 2026.
