If you’re planning a trip to Thailand this year, get ready for a change at the border. Starting May 1, 2025, in addition to having a valid Thai visa or visa exemption stamp, all travelers must complete an online TM6 immigration form before entering the country to improve tracking of foreigners and safety for tourists. This new digital form, called the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), replaces the old paper version, which was scrapped last year.
At the same time, Thailand has decided to delay the 300-baht tourism tax and the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system. The government wants to make sure the TM6 system works smoothly before adding any new requirements. Here’s what you need to know about these updates to Thailand’s entry requirements in 2025.
What Is the TM6 Form and Why Is It Back?
The TM6 form is a document all foreign visitors must complete before arriving in Thailand. Airlines used to hand out paper forms for you to fill out before landing, but that system ended in April 2024 to pave the way for a digital system.
Now, Thailand is reinstating the form in a digital format. Officials say this will help track tourists more efficiently and strengthen security. Requiring online registration allows authorities to keep a closer record of who enters the country, helping screen criminals and prevent illegal entry. Furthermore, as the new TM6 form can be completed online well before departure, it will help to reduce congestion at Thai airports.
How Will the TDAC Work?
Starting May 1, you must complete the free TM6 form online before your trip. It applies to all foreign travelers, regardless of how they enter (land, sea, air) or what their visa status is.
The TDAC system will be available through several portals, including:
- The Thailand E-Visa system
- The Department of Disease Control’s disease-screening system
- The tourist fee-collection system (TBD)
Each of these systems can process your TDAC application and provide a digital copy of your TM6 form. You will need to present this to the border control officer upon arrival, or you will be denied entry.
Be sure to keep this digital TM6 card saved on your device and on a backup drive, preferably in the cloud. This is because you will need to show it again when you leave, and use it for several other purposes if you plan to stay long-term, such as your 90-day report or Thai visa extension.
Thailand Postpones Tourism Tax and Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
Thailand has been planning to re-introduce a 300-baht tourism tax in 2025, which would have helped build tourism infrastructure and fund tourism insurance. However, officials have decided to put it on hold as they want to focus on making the TM6 system work first before adding any new fees.
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system has also been delayed. The ETA was meant to screen visa-free travelers before they arrived, similar to systems used in Europe and the US. But for now, Thailand is prioritizing the TM6 form and pushing other programs to a later date as they want to ensure that the TDAC system is ready to go when it becomes mandatory in May.
How Travelers Can Prepare for the Launch of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card
If you are flying to Thailand after May 1, 2025, complete the online TM6 form via the TDAC system before boarding. The government says the process will be simple, but since it is a new system, there will likely be some early issues. Therefore, you should do this well in advance of your departure, otherwise, you could get stuck trying to figure it out at the airport in Thailand after a long flight.
The good news is you will not need to pay a tourism tax or apply for an ETA just yet. Those programs could take months or even a year to launch, if they do at all; the Thai government has gone back and forth on these issues already. But if the online TM6 system works well, the government may move forward with other updates. For now, the focus is on making sure travelers can enter without confusion.
Get Expert Guidance on the New Online TM6 Form and Travel to Thailand with Confidence
Hoping to enjoy the Land of Smiles this year but don’t want immigration worries to weigh on your mind? Contact Siam Legal’s Thai Visa Consulting Team and our seasoned experts will put your concerns to rest.
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