Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) for US Travelers: Timing & Why It Is Not a Visa
Short answer: The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is an immigration arrival form — it is not a visa. The Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. states that from 1 May 2025, all non-Thai nationals entering by air, land, or sea must complete TDAC online within 3 days prior to arrival, including travelers under visa exemption. Thailand Immigration’s user guide points to https://tdac.immigration.go.th and repeats that TDAC is not a visa. The official portal title states No Fees Required for the government form. You still need the correct entry permission (exemption stamp or visa). Start TDAC / Thailand help on my-evisas.com. Stand: 4 August 2026.
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Short answer
- What it is: digital arrival card / immigration form — not a visa.
- Who: all non-Thai nationals (Embassy + Immigration guide).
- When: within 3 days before arrival.
- Official site: Immigration Bureau TDAC portal (link in Sources).
- Government fee note: portal title — No Fees Required (confirm live; agency assist fees are separate).
- Want filing help: my-evisas.com/visas/thailand.
What TDAC is (not a visa)
TDAC replaces the traditional paper arrival card process with an online form. Completing it does not grant entry permission by itself. The Embassy explicitly says the form is not a visa, but an immigration requirement. Immigration’s guide also states: “the Thailand Digital Arrival Card is not visa.”
Who must file and when
| Source | Rule |
|---|---|
| Embassy (from 1 May 2025) | All non-Thai nationals entering by air, land, or sea must complete TDAC online within 3 days prior to arrival |
| Embassy | Applies regardless of visa type, including Visa Exemption |
| Immigration guide | All non-Thai nationals must complete TDAC online prior to entry; submit 3 days in advance of arrival |
Official TDAC channel
Thailand Immigration’s guide states foreigners can access the Immigration Bureau website at https://tdac.immigration.go.th to submit or update information. That is the government channel name to remember. Assisted filing through my-evisas.com supports form completion help — it does not turn a random third-party page into the Immigration Bureau site.
Fees note
The official portal title reads “Official Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) – No Fees Required.” Confirm on the live form for your trip. If you use assisted filing, any service fee is separate from the government form.
How TDAC relates to exemption and eVisa
| Requirement | Role |
|---|---|
| Visa exemption or eVisa / visa | Entry permission path |
| TDAC | Arrival information form (separate) |
- Short US vacation under exemption → still file TDAC — exemption guide.
- When you need a visa → eVisa path + TDAC — eVisa guide.
FAQ
Is TDAC a visa?
No. Embassy and Immigration both state it is not a visa.
When should I submit TDAC?
Within 3 days prior to arrival (Embassy / Immigration guide).
Is the government TDAC free?
The official portal title states No Fees Required. Confirm on the live form; assisted filing fees (if any) are separate.
Does my-evisas.com file TDAC?
Where offered, my-evisas.com can assist with TDAC form filing (not a visa product) via my-evisas.com/visas/thailand.
How my-evisas.com can help
- Provided: TDAC form filing assistance (≠ visa); Thailand eVisa help when you need a visa → my-evisas.com/visas/thailand.
- Not provided: treating TDAC as a substitute visa; selling visa exemption as a product.
my-evisas.com is a private company, not a government website and not affiliated with the Royal Thai Government or Thai Immigration.
Sources
- Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C. — Visa Information (TDAC) (accessed 2026-08-04)
- Thailand Immigration Bureau — TDAC user guide (accessed 2026-08-04)
- Thailand Immigration Bureau — Official TDAC portal (accessed 2026-08-04)
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. my-evisas.com is a private service provider and not a government authority, embassy, or consulate. Rules and fees can change; confirm details on official channels such as the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. and Thailand Immigration before you travel.
As of: 4 August 2026