Open the official website, tdac.immigration.go.th. Submit the form within 3 days before you land in Thailand, including your arrival day. It is free. Select United Arab Emirates as your boarding country. Your QR code will come to your email. If you are flying to Thailand from the UAE, you must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card from Dubai before you board. This online form is called TDAC. It replaced the old paper arrival card (TM6). Most people finish it in about 5 minutes on their phone. This guide is for travellers in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and all other emirates.
What Is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?
TDAC is an online form from the Thai Immigration Bureau. Every foreign visitor must fill it in before entering Thailand by air, land or sea. It applies to all entry types: visa-exempt, visa on arrival, tourist visa and e-visa.
TDAC is not a visa. If your passport needs a visa for Thailand, get that first. You can read our Thailand visa page for help, then come back and complete your TDAC.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Official website | tdac.immigration.go.th |
| Cost | Free |
| When to submit | Within 3 days (72 hours) before arrival, including arrival day |
| Who needs it | All non-Thai citizens, including children and babies |
| Boarding country | United Arab Emirates |
| What you receive | Email with a QR code |
| New TDAC for each trip? | Yes |
What You Need Before You Start
- Your passport
- Flight number and arrival date in Thailand
- Hotel name and address in Thailand
- An email address you can open easily
- Phone number with country code (UAE is +971)
- The countries you stayed in during the last 14 days
When to Submit the TDAC
You can submit only in the 3-day window before arrival. The form does not accept earlier dates.
Example: your flight lands in Bangkok on 20 June. You can submit from 18 June.
Many flights leave Dubai at night and land in Thailand the next morning. Always use the arrival date in Thailand, not the date you leave Dubai.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Thailand Digital Arrival Card from Dubai
Step 1: Open the official website.
Type tdac.immigration.go.th in your browser. Some other websites charge a fee for this free form, so use only the official one.
Step 2: Enter your personal details.
Write your name exactly as it appears on your passport. Add your passport number, date of birth, nationality and occupation.
Step 3: Add your residence and contact details.
If you live in the UAE, select United Arab Emirates as your country of residence. Add your email and your phone number with +971.
Step 4: Add your trip details.
Enter your arrival date and the reason for your visit, such as tourism. For the boarding country, select United Arab Emirates. Add your flight number. Common routes are Dubai to Bangkok and Dubai to Phuket on Emirates, flydubai, Etihad or Air Arabia.
Step 5: Add where you will stay.
Enter your hotel name or address in Thailand.
Step 6: Complete the health declaration.
Select the countries you visited in the last 14 days and answer the health questions.
Step 7: Check and submit.
Read every field again. One wrong letter or number in your passport details can cause delays at immigration.
Step 8: Save your QR code.
You will get an email with your TDAC and a QR code. Take a screenshot and keep it on your phone. A printout is not compulsory, but it is useful if your phone battery dies.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting before the 3-day window opens
- Using the Dubai departure date instead of the Thailand arrival date
- Writing a name that does not match the passport
- Typing a wrong email address, so the QR code never arrives
- Paying a third-party website for a free form
- Not filling a separate TDAC for each child
- Selecting the wrong boarding country
What If You Make a Mistake?
If you find an error before you travel, correct it on the official TDAC website. If you cannot, submit a new TDAC with the right details inside the 3-day window and keep the latest confirmation email.
Tips for Travellers in the UAE
- Fill in the form at home with a good internet connection, not at the gate.
- Check your airline’s website. Some airlines ask for TDAC proof before boarding.
- Your UAE residence permit or Emirates ID does not replace the TDAC.
- Confirm the visa rules for your passport before you book your ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card from Dubai?
It is the free online TDAC form that every foreign visitor fills in before entering Thailand. If you travel from the UAE, you select United Arab Emirates as your boarding country and use your Dubai flight details.
Is the TDAC free?
Yes. It is free on the official Thai Immigration website, tdac.immigration.go.th.
How early can I submit the TDAC?
You can submit within 3 days (72 hours) before arrival, including the arrival day.
Can I fill it in at Dubai airport?
Yes, if you are inside the 3-day window. It is safer to finish it at home before you leave.
Do UAE residents need a TDAC?
Yes, if you are not a Thai citizen. Living in the UAE or holding an Emirates ID does not remove this need.
Do I need to print the TDAC?
No. A saved QR code on your phone is enough. A paper copy is only a backup.
Do I still need a visa?
It depends on your passport. TDAC is separate from a visa, so check the visa rules for your nationality.
Do children need a TDAC?
Yes. Each child and baby needs their own TDAC.
Do I need a new TDAC for every trip?
Yes. You need a new TDAC for each entry into Thailand.
I did not get the email. What should I do?
Check your spam folder first. If it is not there, submit again inside the 3-day window with the correct email address.
Conclusion
Completing the Thailand Digital Arrival Card from Dubai takes only a few minutes if your passport, flight and hotel details are ready. Use the official website, submit within the 3-day window, select United Arab Emirates as your boarding country, and keep your QR code on your phone. Rules can change, so check the official TDAC website before you fly. If you need help with a Thailand visa, visit our Thailand visa page.