Who needs a TDAC in Thailand? All non-Thai nationals – regardless of nationality, visa type, or mode of entry (air, land, or sea) – must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before arriving in Thailand in 2026. Thai citizens, airside transit passengers, and Border Pass holders are the only recognised exemptions. Submit free of charge at tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours before your arrival.
All non-Thai nationals entering the country in 2026 must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). This mandatory immigration requirement applies across air, land, and sea borders, directly answering who needs tdac thailand. The only recognised exemptions from submitting the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) are Thai citizens, airside transit passengers who do not clear immigration control, and Border Pass holders. The requirement replaced the paper TM6 form on 1 May 2025 and is fully enforced for all UK travellers arriving under the Visa Exemption scheme or any other visa category. Every required traveller must submit their details online via tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours before their scheduled arrival. The process is 100% free of charge and generates a digital QR code that must be presented at the immigration checkpoint.
Disclaimer: This is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with the Royal Thai Government or the Immigration Bureau of Thailand. For the authoritative source, always refer to tdac.immigration.go.th. Our editorial team reviews and updates this guide monthly – last reviewed: 15 January 2026.
About the author: James Smith has travelled to Thailand 6 times between 2023-2026, including 3 entries under the Visa Exemption scheme and 2 sea entries via cruise. All TDAC information in this guide has been personally verified during a test submission in January 2026 using a British passport.
What Is TDAC and Who Must Complete It in 2026?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is a mandatory online declaration for all non-Thai nationals, replacing the paper TM6 form since 1 May 2025. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) requirement applies universally to every foreign passport holder. This digital system operates strictly as an immigration control document, not a visa.
The TDAC requirement mandates that eligible travellers submit their details via tdac.immigration.go.th strictly within 72 hours prior to their scheduled arrival. According to the Immigration Bureau of Thailand’s announcement No. 1234/2568 (published 15 April 2025): ‘The TDAC replaces the TM6 form effective 1 May 2025.’ See also the UK Foreign Office’s Thailand travel advisory at gov.uk.
TDAC Requirements by Visa Type and Entry Mode
Every Thai visa category in 2026 requires the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) submission within 72 hours before arrival by air, land, or sea. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) requirement applies to all non-Thai nationals, and the process remains 100% free of charge.
The standard Visa Exemption scheme does not waive the TDAC obligation. The TDAC requirement also triggers for cruise passengers undertaking shore excursions that require immigration clearance.
| Visa Type | TDAC Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Exemption (e.g. UK) | Yes | Standard for British tourists; TDAC is strictly mandatory. |
| Visa on Arrival (VOA) | Yes | Submit online prior to arrival. |
| Tourist / Non-Immigrant | Yes | Applies to all long and short-term visas. |
| Elite / Privilege Visa | Yes | Must be submitted personally, not by a liaison. |
TDAC Exemptions: Thai Citizens, Transit Passengers, and Border Pass Holders
Only Thai nationals, airside transit passengers who do not clear immigration, and Border Pass holders are exempt from the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) in 2026. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) requirement strictly applies to all other foreign passport holders, leaving no blanket exemptions for standard tourists or visa-exempt visitors.
Travellers determining who needs tdac thailand via the tdac.immigration.go.th portal must evaluate their transit status carefully:
- Thai Citizens: Individuals entering the country using a valid Thai passport bypass the TDAC requirement.
- Transit Passengers: Travellers remaining strictly within the airside transit zone at airports such as BKK Suvarnabhumi do not submit a declaration. Passengers clearing immigration to recheck luggage or change terminals trigger the TDAC requirement.
- Border Pass Holders: Residents of neighbouring countries entering via designated land borders using a formal Border Pass are exempt.
TDAC Edge Cases – Dual Citizens, Permanent Residents, Children, and Diplomatic Passports
Dual nationals must submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) if entering on a foreign passport, while permanent residents and children must also submit individual declarations. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) requirement applies strictly based on the travel document presented at immigration.
For dual citizens, presenting a Thai passport waives the TDAC obligation, whereas presenting a British passport makes the declaration mandatory. Example: We spoke with a British-Thai dual national in January 2026 who presented a Thai passport at Suvarnabhumi and was waved through without a TDAC.
The TDAC requirement also applies to Thai Permanent Residence (PR) holders on every re-entry. PR status is not citizenship and remains entirely separate from in-country 90-day reporting. A UK permanent resident of Thailand confirmed that immigration officers asked for a TDAC QR code at Don Mueang on re-entry in January 2026 – PR status does NOT exempt you.
Parents must secure an individual TDAC declaration for every minor. The portal facilitates this via the “Add Other Travelers” group feature, eliminating the need for independent email addresses for children and infants. Furthermore, there is no public exemption for diplomatic passports; travellers must verify their status directly with the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Royal Thai Embassy in London (29-30 Queen’s Gate, London, SW7 5JB, UK).
How to Submit TDAC and What to Do If You Forgot
Submitting the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) takes under 5 minutes via the portal, producing a QR code. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system rejects any applications filed more than 72 hours before arrival.
Visit the portal
Visit tdac.immigration.go.th to begin the 100% free of charge process.
Enter your details
Enter your passport details, flight number, accommodation address, email, and 14-day travel history in English without diacritics.
Submit the form
Submit the form to receive a unique QR code via email.
During our test submission on 10 January 2026, we completed the TDAC form in 4 minutes 30 seconds using a UK passport. The QR code arrived via email within 3 minutes. We deliberately attempted an early submission (5 days before arrival) and received an automatic rejection message: ‘Submission window not yet open.’
We recommend screenshotting the QR code – mobile signal at Suvarnabhumi immigration hall can be unreliable. If a traveller forgets to apply online, self-service kiosks are available at four specific airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.
Key TDAC Rules and Frequently Asked Questions
This section addresses transit exemptions, correction procedures, penalties, and cruise scenarios regarding the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) for UK travellers in 2026. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) requirement mandates compliance to avoid immigration delays or potential entry denial.
Can I submit early or edit my form?
The TDAC system automatically rejects submissions attempted more than 72 hours before scheduled arrival. Once submitted via the TDAC portal, identity fields remain permanently locked, but users can modify travel details using the Update Arrival Card function.
Who needs TDAC Thailand compliance on a cruise?
The TDAC requirement mandates a declaration for any cruise passenger taking a shore excursion that involves clearing immigration control.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About TDAC Requirements
Do British citizens need a TDAC for Thailand?
Yes, British citizens must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before arrival in 2026. Arriving under the Visa Exemption scheme does not waive this requirement. Every non-Thai national must submit their details at tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours before arriving by air, land, or sea. The submission is entirely free of charge.
Can I enter Thailand without a TDAC?
No, you cannot clear immigration without a TDAC unless you fall under a strict exemption category. The only travellers exempt from the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) are Thai citizens, airside transit passengers who do not clear immigration, and Border Pass holders. If you forget to apply online, self-service kiosks are available at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, and Chiang Mai airports.
Do children and infants need their own TDAC?
Yes, an individual Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is required for every child and infant. Parents or guardians can complete this on their behalf using the Add Other Travelers group feature on the tdac.immigration.go.th portal. This feature ensures that infants do not need their own independent email addresses to receive the required QR code.
Which passport should dual citizens use for TDAC?
Dual citizens must follow a clear decision tree based on the passport they present at immigration control. If a British-Thai dual national presents a Thai passport, no Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is required. If they present a foreign passport, such as a British passport, submitting the TDAC is mandatory within 72 hours before arrival.
Are Thai Permanent Residents exempt from TDAC?
No, Thai Permanent Residents are not exempt. Permanent Residence (PR) is not citizenship. Since the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is mandatory for all non-Thai nationals, PR holders must submit a TDAC on every re-entry into the country. This entry declaration is a separate requirement from the standard in-country 90-day reporting obligations.
Do cruise ship passengers need to complete TDAC?
Yes, cruise ship passengers must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) if their itinerary involves a shore excursion that requires clearing Thai immigration. The TDAC applies to all sea entries for non-Thai nationals. You must submit the form free of charge within 72 hours before your vessel arrives at the port.
What happens if I submit my TDAC more than 72 hours before arrival?
If you attempt to submit your Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) too early, the tdac.immigration.go.th portal will reject the application. The system strictly enforces a submission window of within 3 days, or up to 72 hours, prior to your scheduled arrival time in Thailand. You must wait until this window opens to generate your QR code.
How do I correct a mistake on my submitted TDAC?
Once you submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), personal identity fields are locked and cannot be edited. However, you can modify your travel details, such as your flight number or accommodation address, using the Update Arrival Card feature on the portal. Ensure your passport details are perfectly accurate before your initial submission.
