Thailand is a top-rated tourist destination for Dubai and UAE residents. The tropical beauty offers a soothing break from the dry, desert climate of the United Arab Emirates. Thailand with its more than 1000 picturesque islands, breathtaking beaches, ancient temples, vibrant cities, delicious cuisine, numerous adventurous activities, and unique cultural experiences give you a peak into a different way of life. It is quite obvious to be excited about visiting this paradise by booking tickets, applying for a visa, and making itineraries. But wait! Have you got your Thailand Digital Arrival Card? This is a mandatory requirement for entering Thailand. Here is everything you need to know about Thailand Digital Arrival Card for Dubai and UAE residents.
What is Thailand Digital Arrival Card?
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Earlier, visitors in Thailand would have to fill a form after arriving at the Thailand port of entry to receive a paper arrival card sanctioning their entry into the country. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) replaces this paper arrival card. As the name suggests, the entire process is done online before you even take off from Dubai or the UAE. Since May 2025, Thailand has made Thailand Digital Arrival Card mandatory for all passengers entering the country, thus putting a complete end to the paper arrival card. Every foreigner arriving by air, land, or sea in Thailand needs to have this digital card to earn entry into the country.
Benefits of Thailand Digital Arrival Card
- TDAC reduces paper work and makes the immigration process quicker and easier, thus reducing the waiting time at immigration queues.
- The main benefit of TDAC is that it strengthens the national security of Thailand, making it possible to identify potential threats quickly.
- With the TDAC, it is also possible for the Thailand authorities to monitor the risks of possible disease outbreaks and health risks.
- With no involvement of paper, TDAC makes the immigration process sustainable or eco-friendly.
Who Needs Thailand Digital Arrival Card?
Every foreign national entering Thailand needs to get this arrival card. An important thing to remember is that the Thailand Digital Arrival Card does not replace the Thailand visa. Even a person who has a valid Thailand visitor visa needs to have the arrival card. Similarly, a person exempt from Thailand visa also needs this card. For instance, the citizens of a few countries like UAE, USA, UK, etc., are eligible for visa free stay for a short period of time. Even in this case, these tourists or visitors need to get a Thailand Digital Arrival Card.
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Documents and Information You will Need
While applying for a Thailand Digital Arrival Card for Dubai and UAE residents, you need to fill a form that requires you to provide some personal and travel information.
Passport Details: The form asks you some important details of your passport like passport number, date of issue, and date of expiry.
Personal Details: Next comes your personal details like full name, nationality, date of birth, and gender.
Travel Details: Here you will have to provide the details of your travel plans like name of the airlines, flight number, and expected dates for arrival and departure.
Address in Thailand: You need to provide the address of the place you would be staying at. For instance, if you are staying at a hotel, you have to provide the name of the hotel and its address. Alternatively, if you are staying at a family member/friend’s house, his/her full home address has to be mentioned in the form.
Health Declaration: In this section, you need to mention the names of all the countries you have visited in the last 14 days. You may also have to provide your vaccination records.
How to Apply for TDAC Online?
Image credit: https://tdac.immigration.go.th/
Here is the step-by-step guide on how you can apply for Thailand Digital Arrival Card online.
Step 1: The first step is to login to the official website of Thailand that handles all the visa and immigration related processes.
Step 2: Here you will get two options: application for individual and group. You need to select the one that is appropriate for you.
Step 3: The next step is to fill all the details mentioned above. If you are traveling in a group, you have to fill in the details of all the travelers. There would be sections labelled Traveler 1, Traveler 2, Traveler 3, and so on.
Step 4: Once you are have filled all the fields, it is time for you to review the entire thing to rule out any factual or spelling errors.
Step 5: When you are sure about all the information you have entered, the next step is hit on the submit button. You will receive a QR code in your email. You need to save and print the QR code and keep it with your passport and visa.
How to Present TDAC at the Thailand Airport Immigration?
Once you reach Thailand Airport, you would be directed towards the immigration counters. Here, you have to submit your passport along with the printout that has the QR code. The officer will scan the code and verify all the details, before fixing the entry stamp on your passport.
Common Mistakes Regarding TDAC and How to Fix them
Here are some common mistakes that people make when applying for TDAC form:
- There is a mismatch in your name on the TDAC and your passport. It is important to ensure that the spelling and format of your full names are the same.
- You have added the wrong flight details in the TDAC form. Double check the flight numbers and dates before submission.
- Some of the fields in the TDAC are missing. It is important to fill all the fields with correct information. Do not leave blank spaces.
- You apply for the TDAC way too late. This submission should be done at least 72 hours before traveling to Thailand. Do not wait to reach the airport to do this. If you are too late to submit the application, you may not receive the QR code on time, thus causing delay or denial at the Thailand port of entry.
- A very common mistake that you must avoid is relying on third party websites to submit the form. Always apply for TDAC through the official Thailand immigration website.
Conclusion
The TDAC or Thailand Digital Arrival Card is one of the latest Thailand visa rules, updated in May 2025. It is important to follow this rule if you want to gain entry into the country. So, amidst all the preparations for your Thailand holiday, do not forget to get your TDAC.
