New entry rules to Thailand in 2025: what you need to know before your trip

New requirements regarding the crossing of the border by foreign citizens came into effect at the beginning of May. The changes also affected the procedure for filling out documents. The entry rules for Thailand in 2025 now require tourists to be better prepared, especially in terms of online forms and new airport procedures. To avoid mistakes and delays, it is important to understand the details in advance.

What has changed: electronic arrival card and digital procedures

Starting from May 1, all foreigners are required to use the Thailand Digital Arrival Card – the so-called electronic arrival card for Thailand. Paper forms are no longer valid. The new TDAC system aims to expedite data processing, enhance security, and automate immigration control.

The entry rules for Thailand in 2025 require that tourists register through the TDAC website at least 72 hours before arrival. This procedure has replaced the traditional white immigration card that was previously filled out manually on the plane or at the passport control zone.

How does the Thailand electronic immigration card work?

TDAC is a centralized digital database where every traveler must enter their data. The system is already operational at international hubs – Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Samui airports. In the future, it will also be implemented at land border checkpoints. The form includes:

• name and surname (as in the passport);
• flight number;
• duration of stay;
• address of residence in Thailand;
• contact information;
• purpose of the visit.

All fields are mandatory. The entry rules for Thailand in 2025 emphasize that if the form is not submitted in advance, the tourist may only be allowed entry after manual verification at the immigration center.

How to fill out the Thailand Digital Arrival Card: step-by-step instructions

Below is the sequence of actions required to correctly complete the new procedure:

• visit the official TDAC website (available in English and Thai);
• select traveler category: tourist, transit, business;
• upload a copy of the passport and a photo;
• enter all personal data, including date of birth and country of origin;
• provide residential address and hotel details;
• receive a QR code for presentation at the airport.

The system is highly automated. Responses to the forms are processed instantly, but in case of errors, manual moderation may be required. Therefore, entry into Thailand in 2025 for foreigners should be planned considering the procedures.

Entry into Thailand from May 1, 2025: who is affected by the changes?

The digitization of border forms applies to all categories of travelers: tourists, transit passengers, business travelers, visa holders, and visa-exempt individuals. It is particularly important to note that entry without a completed TDAC is not possible even during a layover within 24 hours.

Citizens of Russia and CIS countries are also subject to the new regulations. The entry rules for Thailand in 2025 require Russians, at a minimum, to prepare all documents in advance and submit them online, even if the trip is within the visa-exempt period of up to 30 days.

TDAC: what you need to know before your trip?

The TDAC system may seem complex, especially for those who do not speak English. However, the abandonment of paper forms has simplified many processes at the airport. Tourists pass through the electronic corridor, scan the QR code, and proceed to the officer to receive the stamp.

In case of errors, data duplication, or delays in confirmation, travelers can contact the immigration center directly at the airport. However, this may result in time losses. Therefore, it is mandatory to fill out all the necessary information online in advance – a requirement of the new entry rules for Thailand in 2025.

Who is exempt from submitting TDAC?

The border crossing changes do not apply to a limited number of categories. First and foremost, diplomats and consular officials continue to enter under previously approved international agreements.

The changes also do not affect airline crew members as long as they do not leave the airport transit area and do not undergo full entry formalities. In addition to them, exemptions are maintained for Thai citizens – the new requirements do not apply to them by definition. Another exempt group is children under 12 years old traveling with their parents.

For all other individuals, including residence permit holders, Non-Immigrant visa holders, students, those invited for education, and foreign specialists on work contracts, compliance with the new rules becomes mandatory. Regardless of the purpose of the visit and the duration of stay, these categories are now fully subject to the updated immigration regime.

Common Mistakes Tourists Often Complain About

To avoid misunderstandings, it is important to consider the most common mistakes in advance, which can lead to registration refusal or delays at passport control. One typical problem is providing an invalid or non-existent residential address in the form. Discrepancies between the declared arrival date in the documents and the actual flight are also common.

Special attention should be paid to correctly filling out passport details: even a minor typo in the number or name can lead to serious difficulties. Also, do not forget to attach a copy of the return ticket, confirming the intention to leave the country within the specified period.

Avoiding such situations is quite simple: carefully study the entry rules for Thailand in 2025, follow each step sequentially, and double-check all entered data before submitting the form. This approach significantly reduces the risk of delays and unpleasant surprises when crossing the border.

Key Changes in the Entry Rules for Thailand in 2025

To avoid confusion about the innovations, let’s summarize everything in a single list:

• cancellation of the paper immigration card TM.6;
• mandatory electronic arrival card (TDAC);
• online form submission no later than 72 hours before arrival;
• requirement to present a QR code at the airport;
• automation of passport control through data scanning;
• strengthened verification of residential addresses and travel purposes;
• responsibility for the accuracy of all provided information.

These provisions apply to all tourists, including Russians and CIS citizens.

Entry Rules for Thailand in 2025: Summary

The current entry rules for Thailand in 2025 require attention and timely action. In return, tourists receive an accelerated border crossing system, minimal queues, and digital transparency. If you fill out the electronic form online in advance and gather the necessary data, your trip will proceed smoothly and stress-free.