Thailand Digital Arrival Card for Indian Citizens

For Indian Citizens, this requirement has replaced the old paper TM6 form, and getting it right matters just as much as booking your flight. This guide walks you through what the TDAC actually is, how it differs from your Thai visa or visa-exemption status, and exactly how to file it correctly.

Did you know? Indian Citizens kept their visa-free status in Thailand's September 2026 shake-up, but the terms got stricter on two fronts at once: the stay dropped from 60 to 30 days, and the exemption now covers tourism only — business visits no longer qualify. — Thailand Immigration Changes to Visa Exemption Scheme — Vialto Partners

This is an independent guide, not an official government website. Below, you'll find everything Indian citizens need to know about the Digital Arrival Card · TDAC, plus how we can help you get it right.

What Is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?

The TDAC is an online arrival card and health declaration required for all foreign nationals entering Thailand by air, land, or sea. It replaced the paper TM6 form on 1 May 2025, adding new fields for travel-plan details and health information that weren't part of the old paper process.

Filing is completely free and only takes about 5–10 minutes once you have your documents ready. The only official channel is tdac.immigration.go.th — no other website or app is authorized to submit a TDAC on your behalf.

TDAC vs. Thai Visa/Visa Exemption — Why Indian Citizens Confuse Them

It's an easy mix-up: Indian Citizens planning a trip to Thailand often assume that having a valid visa (or qualifying for visa-free entry) means they've covered their entry requirements. They haven't.

The TDAC is a separate, mandatory declaration — not a visa, and not a substitute for one. Whether you're traveling on a tourist visa, a long-term visa, or entering visa-free as an Indian passport holder, you still need to file a TDAC before you arrive. One document doesn't replace the other; both are required.

Do Indian Citizens Need a Visa to Enter Thailand?

Indian Citizens can enter Thailand visa-free for up to 30 days, as of the reform that took effect September 15, 2026 — before that date, Indian passport holders had 60 days visa-free. The 30-day stay can be extended once, for up to another 30 days, at the discretion of a Thai immigration officer, usually for a fee of around 1,900 THB at a local immigration office.

One change worth knowing about: the exemption is now explicitly limited to tourism. Under the older rules, visa-exempt entry also covered incidental business activity like meetings or site visits; that's no longer the case, so Indian Citizens traveling for business purposes should check whether they now need a different visa category. Indian Citizens entering by land are also subject to the new cap of two land-border crossings per calendar year.

Visa-free status removes the need for a visa; it doesn't remove anything else on this list. Indian Citizens still need to file the TDAC like every other traveler.

Who Must Complete the TDAC

There are no exceptions based on nationality or visa type. If you're a non-Thai national arriving in Thailand, you need a TDAC — full stop. This includes:

• Tourists and business travelers
• Visa-exempt travelers
• Visa-on-arrival travelers
• Long-term visa holders and returning expats
• Every individual traveler, including infants and children (filed by a parent or guardian)

Note that a new TDAC is required for every entry — even if you're leaving and re-entering Thailand on a multiple-entry visa.

When to Submit: the 3-Day Window Explained

The TDAC system only accepts submissions within 72 hours (3 days) before your arrival, including the day you land. Submit too early, and the system won't process your entry.

For example, if you're arriving on March 1, your submission window opens on February 26. We recommend filing 1–2 days ahead rather than waiting until the last minute — airport Wi-Fi and last-minute errors can slow you down. If you don't file in advance, kiosks are available at entry points, but expect wait times of 30–60 minutes during high season.

Information and Documents Indian passport holders Need

Before you start, gather the following:

Passport and personal information Passport number, full name exactly as printed, date of birth, nationality, occupation, and contact number. You can scan your passport's machine-readable zone (MRZ) to auto-fill these fields — just double-check for scanning errors afterward.

Travel details Arrival date, mode of transport, flight or vehicle number, and country of embarkation.

Accommodation information Your first-night address in Thailand — hotel name and city is usually enough, or a full province/district/postal code breakdown.

Health declaration Countries you've visited in the last 14 days. Extra questions only appear if your travel history or nationality triggers a public-health flag. Yellow fever vaccination proof is required only if you're arriving from a risk country.

All entries must be in English, using uppercase letters that match your passport's MRZ transliteration — no accented characters or nicknames.

How to Fill Out the TDAC — Step by Step

Step 1: Access the Official System

Go to tdac.immigration.go.th — the only official site for filing. Confirm the domain before entering any personal information; scam sites charging fees have circulated since the TDAC launched.

Step 2: Personal Information

Enter your passport and personal details manually, or upload/scan your passport's MRZ to auto-fill the form. Review every field carefully, even after auto-fill.

Step 3: Travel & Accommodation Details

Add your arrival date, flight or transport details, and your first-night accommodation address in Thailand.

Step 4: Health Declaration

List countries visited in the past 14 days. If nothing triggers a flag, this section takes just a moment to complete.

Step 5: Review & Submit

Preview all your entered information before submitting. Pay close attention here — your name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth cannot be edited once submitted.

Step 6: Download and Save Your TDAC

After submission, you'll receive a confirmation with a QR code by email within minutes. Save the PDF to your phone (a printed copy isn't required, but it's a good backup) and keep it until you leave Thailand.

Common Mistakes Indian Citizens Make When Filing

• Submitting too early. The system rejects entries outside the 3-day window.
• Typos in name or passport number. These fields can't be edited afterward — you'll need to file an entirely new TDAC.
• Trusting MRZ auto-scan without double-checking. Always review auto-filled fields for accuracy.
• Using lowercase letters or accented characters. Stick to uppercase Latin transliteration as shown in your passport's MRZ.
• Assuming TDAC replaces your visa requirement. It doesn't — both are independently required.
• Filing through unofficial websites or apps. Only tdac.immigration.go.th is authorized; there is no official mobile app.
• Assuming visa-exempt entry still covers business trips. As of September 15, 2026, Thailand's visa exemption for Indian Citizens is limited to tourism — business activity, even incidental, may require a different visa category now.

What Happens at Thai Immigration on Arrival

At the immigration counter, you'll present your passport along with your TDAC confirmation — shown on your phone or printed, either works. Immigration officers may also check for a valid visa (if required for Indian passport holders), proof of onward travel, and occasionally proof of funds. Keep your TDAC confirmation accessible even after you clear immigration; it may be requested again during your stay for visa extensions or reporting requirements.

How TravelDeclaration.com Can Help Indian Citizens

You're always welcome to complete the Digital Arrival Card · TDAC yourself directly through the official channel. Where we come in is everything around the process: reviewing your entries for the mistakes covered above, coordinating multiple passports and travelers in one household, and making sure nothing gets missed before you're standing at the gate.

We know there are other assisted-filing services out there — what we're focused on is being the most accurate and transparent one, not the only one.

More Thailand Digital Arrival Card Guides by Nationality

• Thailand Digital Arrival Card for Chinese Citizens
• Thailand Digital Arrival Card for Malaysian Citizens
• Thailand Digital Arrival Card for Russian Citizens
• Thailand Digital Arrival Card for South Korean Citizens

FAQ for Indian Citizens

Sources & Further Reading

• Thailand Immigration Changes to Visa Exemption Scheme — Vialto Partners