Thailand Arrival Cards: TM6, TDAC, and Current Status

TL;DR

The paper TM6 Arrival/Departure Card was suspended for most arrivals from 1 July 2022 to reduce border-crossing friction. From 1 May 2025, paper TM6 was partially reinstated for foreign air arrivals at major airports, though digital pre-arrival via the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) remains the primary route. Land border crossings, Thai nationals, and re-entry permit holders have separate handling. Status has changed multiple times — verify the current rule before travelling.

TM6 — Historical Background

• Paper Arrival Card (สีน้ำเงิน — blue) required of all foreign arrivals since the 1980s.
• Filled in-flight or at the immigration counter; contained personal details, accommodation, intended length of stay.
• Departure portion retained until exit.

2022 Suspension

From 1 July 2022, the Royal Thai Police (Immigration Bureau) suspended TM6 requirement for most arrivals to streamline post-pandemic border processing. Digital records were captured at the immigration counter.

2025 Reinstatement (Partial)

From 1 May 2025, paper TM6 was reinstated for foreign air arrivals at major airports (Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai). Verify scope before travel — the rule has been revised several times.

TDAC — Thailand Digital Arrival Card

The TDAC is a pre-arrival digital declaration introduced by the Immigration Bureau:

• Complete online within 3 days before arrival (recommended).
• Information: personal, flight, accommodation, contact, declaration of items, health if applicable.
• Issues a QR code shown to immigration officer on arrival.
• Speeds up immigration processing.
• Available in multiple languages.

Who Needs What

Practical Tips

• Complete TDAC within 3 days before arrival — issues at last minute have been reported.
• Save the QR code screenshot in case of connectivity issues at the border.
• For TM6 (where required), have a working pen and accurate accommodation address.
• Mismatched details between TDAC, TM6, visa, and accommodation slow processing.

Common Mistakes

Avoid these traps:

• Assuming TM6 is permanently suspended — the rule has been reinstated.
• Skipping TDAC because TM6 is required — both may apply concurrently.
• Treating TDAC as a visa — it is not; it is a pre-arrival declaration.
• Using third-party "TDAC services" — submit directly through the official Immigration Bureau portal.
• Inaccurate accommodation declaration — affects TM30 (hotel reporting) compliance later.

FAQs

1. Is TDAC mandatory?

Strongly recommended; some categories of arrivals are required. Verify current notification.

2. Is TDAC free?Yes — the official Immigration Bureau TDAC system is free. Third-party services charging for TDAC submission are unnecessary.

3. What if I arrive without TDAC?Complete it on arrival or be processed via the standard immigration counter — slower but not refused entry.

4. Does TDAC replace TM30 (accommodation reporting)?No. TM30 is a separate post-arrival accommodation-host reporting obligation under Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) §38. TDAC is pre-arrival.

5. Are minors and infants included?Each foreign arrival is included regardless of age; one TDAC per person.

Related Reading

• TM30 Accommodation Reporting
• 90-Day Reporting
• Visa Overstay