Starting May 1, 2025, Thailand will launch the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), an online immigration system designed to replace the traditional TM6 paper form. This new digital system aims to enhance efficiency, reduce processing times, and simplify entry procedures for international travelers.
From TM6 to TDAC: A Digital Transformation
The TM6 form was a longstanding requirement for foreigners entering and exiting Thailand. It collected essential traveler details such as name, passport information, and local address. Historically, passengers received the form onboard their flight or at immigration checkpoints and filled it out before arrival and departure.
However, in July 2022, Thailand temporarily suspended the TM6 form requirement for air arrivals to ease airport congestion. This suspension was later extended to land and sea entry points, supporting Thailand’s efforts to boost tourism by reducing bureaucratic hurdles. By October 2024, the government confirmed the extension of this suspension until April 30, 2025, while developing a more modern, digital alternative: the TDAC system.
How TDAC Will Work
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is designed to streamline immigration procedures by allowing travelers to submit their information online before arriving in the country. The system integrates with key government agencies, including:
- Department of Consular Affairs: Links with the E-Visa system for seamless visa processing.
- Department of Disease Control: Ensures smooth health screenings and compliance with medical regulations.
- * Ministry of Tourism and Sports: Connects with Thailand’s tourist fee-collection system for better visitor management.
* Thailand is expected to re-implement a tourist tax in 2025. The tax will be 300 Thai baht (THB) for air travelers and 150 THB for travelers entering by land or sea.
Authorities have confirmed that informational resources about the TDAC system will be available in five languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Japanese, ensuring global accessibility for its primary tourism markets.
TDAC Vs ETA
You may remember my post late last year on the proposed Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme and be wondering if the TDAC is being proposed as a replacement of integration of the ETA. The answer as of now is no.
At this stage, Thailand has confirmed that TDAC will launch on May 1, 2025, while ETA is still in development with no finalized start date.
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) and the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) are separate systems, though they both aim to streamline the entry process for travelers. Below is a table detailing the difference.
| Feature | TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) | ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Replaces the TM6 arrival/departure card for all foreign travelers | Allows visa-exempt travelers to apply for entry authorization online before traveling |
| Who Needs It? | All foreign travelers, regardless of visa status | Only applies to visa-exempt travelers who previously didn’t need a visa |
| Launch Date | May 1, 2025 | Expected in 2025, but no official start date confirmed yet |
| How It Works | Travelers submit arrival information online before travel to speed up immigration | Eligible travelers apply for ETA to confirm entry approval |
| Main Benefit | Reduces paperwork and shortens processing times at immigration checkpoints | Introduces a pre-approval process for visa-exempt travelers, improving border security |
How TDAC and ETA Might Work Together
- A traveler from a visa-exempt country (e.g., the UK, Germany, the US) first applies for an ETA online.
- Once ETA is approved, they also complete TDAC before their trip.
- At immigration, officials verify both the ETA and TDAC details.
Proposed Benefits of the TDAC System
For Travelers:
- Pre-registration convenience: Submit details online before departure, reducing hassle of filling out on the plane or upon arrival/departure.
- Faster immigration clearance: Shorter wait times at airports and border checkpoints (questionable, given that the TM6 hardly took a moment to look at).
- Enhanced security: More accurate and verified personal data.
For Thailand:
- Improved efficiency: A streamlined immigration system for handling large tourist volumes.
- Boost to tourism: Enhances Thailand’s reputation as a modern and traveler-friendly destination.
- Economic growth: A more efficient entry system encourages tourism and business travel.
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Further details on the registration process and usage of the TDAC system will be announced by Thai authorities closer to the launch date. I will update this article, as and when I learn more.
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