Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) and Customs for Phuket Arrivals

What it is

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) replaced the paper arrival card from 1 May 2025. It is a free online form for non-Thai nationals entering by air, land or sea, and children need one too. A new card is required for each entry.

When and how

You can submit within three days (72 hours) before arrival, including the arrival date, and the system will not accept earlier dates. You will need your passport, flight and accommodation details. After submitting you receive an email with a QR code to save on your phone or print. Use only the official immigration site, because the card is free and look-alike paid sites exist. Some airlines check the card before boarding.

Customs and entry

At the airport you pass the green channel with nothing to declare or the red channel if over the duty-free limits. Immigration may ask for proof of onward travel. Visa-exempt stay rules have changed recently, with one source reporting a 30-day exemption for dozens of countries from September 2026. Always check the current rules for your passport. See the visa hub and the airport guide.

Checklist

• Submit the TDAC within the window and save the email.
• Check passport validity.
• Know your accommodation address.
• See the TM30 guide for reporting once you settle.
• Arrange transfers. See the getting around guide.