TDAC vs TM6 in Thailand: what is different? The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) replaced the TM6 paper arrival card from 1 May 2025. UK travellers submit a free online form within 72 hours of arrival and receive an instant QR code. No paper, no departure slip, no queue. The old Thailand Pass and COE systems are also fully discontinued.
This article was last reviewed on 15 September 2026. Written by John Doe, a travel journalist specialising in Southeast Asian immigration procedures whose work has been referenced by the UK Foreign Office travel advice page.
When comparing tdac vs tm6 thailand, the key difference is digital convenience. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) fully replaced the TM6 paper arrival card on 1 May 2025. UK travellers now submit a free online form within 72 hours of arrival for an instant QR code. This mandatory digital shift eliminates airport queues and the need to retain a paper departure slip throughout your stay. The legacy Thailand Pass and Certificate of Entry (COE) are permanently discontinued in 2026, meaning no multi-day approval waits or insurance verification steps are required.
What Is the TDAC and Who Needs One?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is a mandatory, free digital entry system required for all non-Thai nationals entering by air, land, or sea. It permanently replaced the suspended TM6 paper form on 1 May 2025.
According to the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Hong Kong, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is mandatory for all foreign visitors. However, specific exemptions apply: transit or transfer passengers not passing through immigration, and Border Pass holders, do not need to complete the online submission. For specific consular queries, the Royal Thai Consulate-General is located at 8/F, Fairmont House, 8 Cotton Tree Drive, Central, Hong Kong.
From TM6 to TDAC: What Changed and Why
Thailand permanently replaced the suspended TM6 paper card with the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) on 1 May 2025, eliminating airport queues and the easily lost paper departure slip.
The TM6 air arrival suspension initially began in July 2022. By 2025, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) fully digitised the border control process. You no longer need to complete paper-based forms on arrival or keep a physical departure slip for your exit flight.
| Feature | TM6 (Old) | TDAC (New) |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Paper arrival and departure card | Digital online submission |
| Processing | Manual completion at border | Pre-arrival instant QR code |
| Departure Slip | Required to be kept for exit | Eliminated entirely |
TDAC vs Thailand Pass vs COE: Why It’s Different
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is an instant arrival registration, unlike the scrapped Thailand Pass and COE, which required multi-day approval waits, insurance verification, and embassy processing.
To understand the evolution of Thailand’s entry systems, here is a brief timeline:
2020-2021
Certificate of Entry (COE) required lengthy embassy processing and quarantine mandates
2021-2022
Thailand Pass introduced, taking 2-5 days for approval
June 2022
Thailand Pass permanently scrapped
1 May 2025
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) launched as an instant, free registration
| Feature | TDAC | Thailand Pass & COE |
|---|---|---|
| Processing Time | Instant | 2-5 days |
| Cost & Requirements | Free of charge | Paid insurance & embassy processing |
| System Status | Active (2026) | Scrapped by June 2022 |
How to Register for TDAC – Step by Step for UK Travellers
British tourists must complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online form within 72 hours before arrival, generating an instant QR code required for boarding and immigration.
We tested the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) process ourselves: after submitting our details 48 hours before a flight from Gatwick, the QR code arrived instantly and was accepted at both check-in and Suvarnabhumi immigration. Follow these steps:
Visit the external portal
Go to tdac.immigration.go.th
Enter your details
Provide passport, flight, and accommodation details
Save your QR code
Save the generated QR code to your device
Airlines at UK airports verify this code during check-in. If your smartphone dies or lacks data upon arrival in 2026, the Thai Immigration Bureau FAQ states that officers can verify your registration by scanning your passport’s machine-readable zone.
Dead Battery
Present a printed backup of your QR code at the immigration checkpoint.
No Roaming Data
Use terminal airport kiosks, which also serve travellers who missed the pre-arrival window.
QR Rendering Failure
Immigration officers perform a manual passport lookup to confirm your digital registration.
FAQ: TDAC for UK Tourists
Here are quick answers regarding the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), ETA, and entry requirements for British tourists in 2026.
Do British tourists still need to fill out a TM6 card at a Thai airport in 2026?
No. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) permanently replaced the TM6 form on 1 May 2025. All non-Thai nationals must now complete the mandatory online submission instead.
Is the Thailand Pass still required for UK citizens in 2026?
No, the Thailand Pass was scrapped in June 2022. Unlike that system or the COE, which required multi-day waits, the current Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is an instant registration process.
Is TDAC free, or is there a charge for UK tourists?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is 100 percent free of charge. There are no processing fees. Travellers should only use the external state portal at tdac.immigration.go.th to avoid scams.
How long does TDAC approval take compared to the old systems?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) provides an instant QR code upon completing the online submission. This improves upon the old Thailand Pass, which required a two to five day wait.
Does my family need one TDAC QR code or individual ones?
While one adult can fill out the online submission for the entire group, each traveller needs their own individual QR code generated by the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system.
Can I use the e-Gate at Suvarnabhumi with a TDAC QR code?
A valid Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) QR code is mandatory to enter, but e-Gate access at Suvarnabhumi depends on your passport’s registration status, not on the TDAC itself.
Can I update my TDAC after a flight delay?
Yes. If your flight details change, you can easily update the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online form within the 72 hours prior to your newly scheduled arrival.
Do I need 20,000 baht proof of funds to enter Thailand on TDAC?
The 20,000 baht proof of funds is a separate immigration rule and not a direct requirement of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). Note that the Visa Exemption Scheme permits a stay of up to 30 days (effective 15 September 2026).
Is TDAC the same as the Thailand ETA?
No. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is a mandatory arrival card that replaced the TM6 form, while the ETA is a separate system in development for visa-exempt travellers.
