Read Our Latest Blogs

How to Apply for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card

1. Prepare your travel information: Have your passport ready along with your flight (or land border crossing) details and accommodation booking confirmation. You will need to enter your passport number, arrival date, and hotel address in Thailand.
2. Visit the official TDAC website: Go to the Thailand Immigration Bureau’s official TDAC site (tdac.immigration.go.th) and select “Arrival Card.” Fill in your personal details – name, nationality, passport number, date of birth, gender, and contact information. Only the fields marked with a red asterisk are required.
3. Enter your travel details: On the next page, provide information about your trip. This includes your mode of travel (e.g. airplane flight number or vehicle), the arrival date, and the address of your accommodation in Thailand. (Note: departure details are optional but you should have your onward travel plans ready, as you may be asked for proof of a return ticket upon arrival.)
4. Complete the health declaration: The TDAC form will ask for a simple health/travel declaration. List any countries you have visited in the past two weeks. If you have been in a country with health warnings (e.g. yellow fever), you may need to show vaccination proof on arrival.
5. Submit and save your TDAC confirmation: Once all sections are filled, submit the form. You will receive an email confirmation of your TDAC registration. Save this confirmation on your phone or print a copy. You will need to present it to Thai immigration officials when entering the country. (Each traveler must complete a TDAC, but the system allows adding family members under “Add Other Travelers” if you’re traveling together.)

Importance of the Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

1. Enhanced security and health screening: The TDAC’s health declaration helps Thai authorities track visitor travel history and manage disease risks before arrival, improving public health monitoring. It also lets immigration verify traveler identities in advance, strengthening border security.
2. Faster immigration processing: With data pre-entered into the system, arriving passengers can clear immigration more quickly. There’s no more pen-and-paper forms to fill out on the plane or at the gate, reducing queues and errors. Thailand’s government notes that the TDAC will “streamline immigration procedures” as part of modernizing border control.
3. Free and user-friendly: Completing the TDAC is completely free – there is no application fee. The system supports multiple languages and can be accessed on any internet-connected device (smartphone, tablet, or laptop). You can apply up to 72 hours before travel (e.g. 3 days in advance) to ensure the confirmation is ready.
4. Convenient for group travel: If you’re traveling with family or friends, you can handle multiple TDACs together. The system lets you “Add Other Travelers” and submit their cards in one session.

Eligibility and Entry Requirements

1. TDAC Eligibility: All non-Thai nationals entering Thailand (by air, land, or sea) must submit a Thailand Digital Arrival Card. The only exceptions are travelers who transit through Thailand without clearing immigration or those using a special border pass for nearby countries. In practice, this means every tourist and visa-holder needs the TDAC.
2. Submission deadline: The TDAC must be submitted no more than 3 days (72 hours) before your arrival date. You can even complete it on the same day you travel, but applying a few days early is recommended to avoid any last-minute issues.
3. Thailand Visa for Nepalese Citizens: Nepalese passport holders are not eligible for visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival in Thailand. (Only Nepali officials with official passports are exempt.) This means Nepalese travelers must obtain a Thai visa before departing Nepal. Typically, visitors apply for a Thai Tourist Visa (TR) good for a 60–90 day stay (single-entry or multiple-entry). The visa application process is separate from the TDAC, but you’ll need the visa in your passport to board a flight to Thailand.
4. Visa Application Process: Thailand uses an online e-Visa system for visa applications. Residents of Australia (for example, including Nepalese nationals living in Australia) apply for a Thai tourist visa at the official portal (thaievisa.go.th) launched in March 2024. Similarly, from Kathmandu the Royal Thai Embassy now requires Nepali applicants to use the same e-Visa platform. In all cases, pay attention to the required documents listed for your visa application.
5. Required Documents: When applying for a Thai tourist visa, you will typically need a valid passport (at least 6 months validity from your entry date), a completed visa application form, and one or two recent passport-size photos. You must also submit evidence of travel plans and support, such as a confirmed return flight itinerary and hotel booking or invitation letter. Proof of sufficient funds is usually required – for example, Thai embassies often ask for a bank statement showing a deposit (e.g. around THB 200,000 for a multiple-entry visa). Additional documents (like employment or income proof) may be requested. Be sure to check the specific requirements of the Thai embassy or consulate where you apply.

Thailand Visa Support Services

Navigating the TDAC and visa process can be complex, especially with new rules. Visa Centre AU offers comprehensive Thailand visa support services to help travelers meet all entry requirements. Our experts can assist Nepalese and other applicants by:

1. Guiding your TDAC application: We help ensure your Thailand Digital Arrival Card is filled out correctly and submitted on time, avoiding delays at the airport.
2. Preparing your visa application: We advise on the correct Thai visa type (typically a Tourist TR visa for short visits) and our expert team will apply your visa hassle free. You do not need to worry about your visa and you can plan your trip.
3. Document verification: We review your visa application packet (passport, photos, itinerary, bank statements, etc.) to make sure nothing is missing or incorrect before submission.
4. Latest entry rules: We keep updated on Thailand entry requirements (e.g. the TDAC rule for 2025) so you’ll have the current information for your trip.

By working with Visa Centre AU’s Thailand visa support team, Nepalese nationals and other travelers can be confident they have met Thailand’s 2025 entry requirements. For example, you’ll have peace of mind knowing both your visa and Digital Arrival Card are in order, so you can focus on enjoying Thailand’s sights and culture.

Sources: Official Thai immigration announcements and Royal Thai consulate and embassy guidelines.