Paperless Entry: What is the TDAC, Why it Replaced the TM6 Form, and How it Works

Understanding Thailand’s Digital-First Approach to Immigration Control

For decades, the little paper TM6 Arrival and Departure Card was a universal fixture of Thai travel. Handed out on planes, fumbled with at immigration, and often lost before departure, it was a source of minor but chronic friction for millions of visitors. As of May 1, 2025, the TM6 is officially retired and replaced by the mandatory Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC).

Trevalo explains what the TDAC is, details the benefits of this paperless transition, and clarifies why this digital declaration is now a mandatory part of every non-Thai traveler’s pre-trip checklist.

🔑 Section 1: The Transition from TM6 to TDAC

The TDAC is simply the digital evolution of the traditional paper arrival card. It collects the exact same necessary data, but in a format that benefits both the traveler and the Thai Immigration Bureau.

1. What Was the TM6 Form?

• The TM6 (To Mo 6) was the official paper arrival/departure card required for all foreign nationals entering and exiting Thailand.
• Data Collected: Passport details, flight number, accommodation address, purpose of visit, and a brief health declaration.
• The Problem: The system relied on manual data entry, leading to long queues, high administrative burden, and frequent errors from illegible handwriting.⁶ The card was temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic to ease congestion, paving the way for the digital solution.

2. What is the TDAC?

• The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is the new, mandatory online version of the TM6.
• Mandatory Status: It must be completed by all non-Thai nationals before arrival, regardless of whether they enter by air, land, or sea.
• Digital Key: Upon successful submission, the traveler receives a QR code (via email and on the confirmation screen) that is scanned at the immigration counter for instant data retrieval.

CRUCIAL DISTINCTION: The TDAC is NOT a visa. It is a mandatory digital declaration required in addition to any required visa or visa exemption (like the 60-day tourist visa or VOA).

🚀 Section 2: Why the TDAC Replaced TM6 Paper Form (Benefits of the Digital System)

The move to the TDAC is part of Thailand’s strategy to modernize its border control systems and enhance the visitor experience.

1. Faster Immigration Clearance

• Benefit: The primary gain for travelers. By submitting all data in advance, the immigration officer only needs to verify the passport and scan the QR code. This greatly reduces manual input time, leading to significantly shorter queues at major entry points like Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK).

2. Enhanced Security and Data Accuracy

• Benefit: The TDAC system digitally validates data against passport systems, reducing errors and ensuring higher data accuracy than paper forms. The Immigration Bureau also integrates this data with its biometric database, allowing authorities to pre-screen travelers and monitor visitor trends more effectively.

3. Environmental and Administrative Efficiency

• Benefit: Eliminates the use of millions of paper forms annually, making the process environmentally friendly. It also frees up airline staff from distributing and collecting the forms, simplifying pre-flight logistics.

4. Flexibility and Error Correction

• Benefit: Unlike the paper form, the online TDAC system allows travelers to update and correct certain submitted details (like accommodation address or flight number) before they travel, removing the stress of having to resubmit or fill out new paperwork upon arrival.

💻 Section 3: How the TDAC Works at the Border

If you arrive in Thailand without a completed TDAC, immigration staff guide you to a self-service kiosk near the immigration hall so you can submit the form using the airport Wi-Fi.

Stage	Process	Traveler Action
Pre-Arrival	Traveler submits passport, flight, accommodation, and health details online.	Submit TDAC within the 72-hour window via the official portal.
Confirmation	Traveler receives an official TDAC confirmation with a unique QR code.	Save the QR code (screenshot and/or email PDF) on your mobile device.
Arrival	Traveler proceeds to the immigration counter (Air, Land, or Sea).	Present your Passport and the TDAC QR Code to the officer.
Clearance	Officer scans the QR code to instantly pull up the data, verifies the passport, and stamps the entry pass.	Clear immigration in seconds.

REMINDER ON FORGETTING: If you arrive in Thailand without a completed TDAC, immigration staff will direct you to a self-service kiosk near the immigration hall, where you can submit the form using the airport Wi-Fi. While this prevents denial of entry, it causes significant delays in your arrival process.