Thailand to introduce online arrival card from May  

Thailand has introduced a new online arrival card which must be filled in by all international visitors travelling to the country from May 1, 2025.

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is a free form, available online from April 28, and replaces the previous paper arrival cards filled in on the flight before entry to the country.

All visitors who do not hold a Thai passport and are entering Thailand by air, land or sea, for leisure or business must complete the form online before they enter the country.

The only exceptions for non-Thai passport holders are those transiting or transferring in Thailand without going through immigration control.

Visitors can apply for the card up to three days before their arrival date in Thailand but can also complete the online form on arrival in Thailand before queuing up to go through immigration if they have a smartphone, tablet or computer and can access Wi-Fi.

The card can be submitted as an individual or as part of a group if travelling as a party. Once completed, visitors will receive a QR code which must be shown, either on a device or printed out, to immigration officers on arrival in Thailand.

The card is not a visa. British and Irish citizens can currently travel to Thailand for 60 days visa free. Thailand extended its visa exemption for UK visitors from 30 days to 60 days last summer.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said the digital arrival card aligned with its ‘Smart Tourism’ initiative and recommended that visitors complete the application form prior to travel.

TAT London director Worapa Ankhasirisap said: "The introduction of Thailand’s new Digital Arrival Card is a huge step forward in enhancing the travel experience for international visitors. This streamlined, paperless system makes the arrival process more efficient allowing travellers to start their journey in Thailand with ease.

“By embracing digital innovation, we are not only improving border procedures but also gathering valuable insights to better understand travel trends and enhance our tourism offerings.” 

The card is found on the official immigration website, where there is a step-by-step guide to fill in an arrival card. Visitors will need their passport details, flight and accommodation details,  names of countries visited within two weeks of arrival to Thailand for health declaration purposes, and an email address.

For a group, additional passengers can be added to an application, following the same steps. On accepting the terms and conditions the QR code will be displayed and sent to the given email address.