Step-by-Step Guide to TDAC Thailand 2026

TDAC is Thailand’s digital arrival card that must be filled out online before entry. For Swedish travelers, it is important to understand that TDAC is not a visa, but a separate entry requirement used by Thai authorities. If you are traveling to Thailand in 2026, you should check whether you need to submit the form before departure, fill in the information exactly as it appears in your passport, and save the confirmation digitally. Here, I will go through when TDAC is required, how to fill out the form step by step, and what common mistakes can cause problems during check-in or border control.

What is TDAC in Thailand and Why Do You Need to Fill It Out?

TDAC stands for Thailand Digital Arrival Card. It is the digital version of the previously paper-based arrival card that travelers used to fill out on the plane or upon arrival. The purpose is to provide Thai immigration authorities with basic information about the traveler before entry.

It is important to distinguish between the following:

TDAC is not a visa
TDAC does not grant the right to stay longer than your permitted stay
TDAC does not replace any visa requirements or other entry permits

If you are a Swedish traveler entering Thailand visa-free or with a visa, you may still need to fill out TDAC if the system is active for your entry channel and your trip falls under the requirement. Therefore, you should always check both visa regulations and arrival forms before departure.

For an overview of entry regulations and permits that may affect Swedish travelers, see our guide on Thailand ETA 2026 , what it means for Swedish travelers and our collection page on visas to Thailand.

When is TDAC Required for Thailand 2026?

TDAC is required when Thai authorities have made the digital arrival card mandatory for travelers in your category. Exact application dates and details may be adjusted by the authorities, so the safest source is always the official information from Thailand Immigration or related authority pages.

The official sources you should check before traveling are primarily:

Thailand Immigration Bureau: https://www.immigration.go.th/
Tourism Authority of Thailand: https://www.tourismthailand.org/
Thai Airways or your airline’s travel information, if they publish current boarding requirements

In practice, you should assume the following:

If Thailand requires a digital arrival card for your entry, the form must be filled out before departure
You should not wait until the last minute, as misspellings, technical issues, or missing address details can create stress during check-in
If you are transiting without passing through immigration, different rules often apply than for regular entry

Who Must Fill Out TDAC?

Normally, digital arrival cards in Thailand cover almost all foreign travelers who actually pass through immigration control and enter the country. Swedish tourists, business travelers, individuals with longer stays, and in some cases even travelers with visas usually need to register their information if the system is mandatory.

You should particularly check the requirements if you:

are entering with a Swedish passport
are entering with another passport and Swedish residence permit
arrive by air but continue domestically immediately after immigration
are entering overland from countries like Malaysia, Laos, or Cambodia
are traveling with children who have their own passports

A common misconception is that a booking or an e-visa automatically transfers your information to immigration. This usually does not happen. TDAC must be filled out separately if the system requires it.

When Should You Fill Out TDAC Before Traveling?

You should fill out TDAC as soon as the system allows registration and when you have all travel information ready. If the authorities specify a particular time frame before arrival, you should follow it exactly. Such systems often open a few days before arrival, but rules can change.

The most important thing is to have the following ready before you start:

a passport valid for travel
flight number or other arrival information
address of your first accommodation in Thailand
contact information
date of entry

Do not wait until you are at Arlanda or Landvetter. If the airline checks that the arrival form is filled out, you may encounter problems already at boarding.

How to Fill Out TDAC Thailand Step by Step

The practical setup varies slightly depending on how Thailand designs the portal, but the information generally follows the same logic. Below is the process that Swedish travelers typically need to go through.

Step 1: Go to the Official TDAC Portal

Only use the official link published by Thai authorities. Do not search for the first payment page via ad results. There are often commercial intermediaries that charge service fees for forms that are fundamentally government-based.

Always start from:

https://www.immigration.go.th/

If a separate TDAC portal is used, it should normally be linked from there.

Step 2: Choose New Application or Registration

You will normally have the option to create a new registration and in some cases also the ability to update previous information. Ensure that you fill in details for the correct traveler, especially if you are registering family members.

Step 3: Fill in Personal Information Exactly as in the Passport

Here, many make their first mistake. Write:

first name exactly as in the machine-readable passport line or biodata page
last name exactly as in the passport
passport number without extra spaces
nationality as per the passport
date of birth in the correct format
gender if the field requires it

Do not use Swedish special characters if the system does not accept them. If your name in the passport’s machine-readable zone is displayed without Å, Ä, or Ö, you should follow the passport information as closely as the system allows.

Step 4: Provide Travel Information to Thailand

You usually need to provide:

arrival date
flight number or means of transport
departure location or last country before entry
purpose of travel, such as tourism or business

Double-check the flight number carefully. It is easy to accidentally write the booking number instead of the flight number. Flight numbers look like TG961 or SK973, while booking references often consist of six characters in a completely different combination.

Step 5: Provide Address in Thailand

This is one of the most common sources of errors. Authorities usually want to know your first accommodation address in Thailand, not a general plan for the entire trip.

Fill in:

hotel name, apartment, or host address
city or province
postal code if required
phone number for the accommodation if the field exists

If you plan to travel around and do not yet know all the details, it is usually sufficient to provide the address of the first night or first destination, unless the system explicitly requests something else.

Step 6: Fill in Contact Information

Typically requested are:

email address
mobile number
sometimes home address in Sweden

Use an email address that you can actually access on the travel day. The confirmation or QR code is often sent there. Double-check the spelling before proceeding.

Step 7: Review Information Before Submitting

Read everything once more. Particularly important fields to check are:

passport number
name order
arrival date
flight number
accommodation address
email address

A single digit error in the passport number can be enough for you to need to redo the registration.

Step 8: Submit the Form and Save the Confirmation

Once the application is submitted, you will normally receive a confirmation on the screen and sometimes via email. This may consist of:

a reference number
a PDF
a QR code
a registration certificate via email

Always save the confirmation in two ways:

as a screenshot on your mobile
as a PDF or printout

It is not guaranteed that you will have stable internet when you land in Thailand.

What Does TDAC Cost?

If Thailand uses TDAC as a government form, it is normally the registration with the authority that applies according to official terms. Any costs that travelers encounter often come from private agent services, not from the state.

It is therefore important to distinguish between:

official registration via the authority’s portal
voluntary assistance via private visa or travel services for a fee

Always check whether the page you are using is official or commercial before you pay anything.

If you want help figuring out what documents are required for your trip to Thailand, you can read more on our Thailand page or request assistance via the order page.

Common Mistakes When Swedes Fill Out TDAC

Most problems with TDAC are not technical but stem from small errors in the form. Here are the most common mistakes I see.

Mistake 1: Confusing TDAC with Visa or ETA

TDAC is just an arrival card. If you also need a visa or other permit, it must be arranged separately. Many believe that a filled-out form is sufficient for entry, but that is not how it works.

Mistake 2: Entering Incorrect Passport Number

This happens more often than one might think, especially when filling out from a mobile device. Always compare character by character with the passport’s biodata page.

Mistake 3: Entering Booking Number Instead of Flight Number

The airline’s booking reference is not the same as the flight number. Check the boarding document or ticket carefully.

Mistake 4: Using Incorrect Hotel Address

Some people only write “Bangkok” or the name of the area. This is often too vague. Write the actual name and address of the first accommodation as far as the system requires.

Mistake 5: Waiting Too Long

If you fill out the information just before boarding, there is no margin if the system is down or if you discover an error. Do it in good time.

Mistake 6: Not Saving Confirmation Offline

An email confirmation is not very helpful if you cannot access the internet upon arrival. Always have a screenshot or printout.

Do Children Also Need Their Own TDAC Registration?

If the child has their own passport and is actually entering Thailand as an individual traveler, the child normally needs to be registered according to the rules that apply to the system. In some portals, an adult can add co-travelers or fill in multiple people in the same flow, but each traveler must still have correct individual information.

Check particularly:

that the child’s name matches exactly with the passport
that the correct passport number is provided for each family member
that you save confirmation for all persons in the party

What Happens If You Make a Mistake in TDAC?

If you discover an error before departure, you should first see if the system allows changes or new registration. Many digital forms offer either an “edit” function or require you to submit a new application.

If no edit function exists:

go back to the official portal
check if a new registration is allowed
use the same passport information but correct the errors
save the latest confirmation

If you are already on your way to the airport and discover a minor error, try to correct it immediately. If the error concerns passport number, name, or arrival date, do not ignore it.

How to Present TDAC Upon Entry?

In most cases, it is sufficient to show the confirmation digitally on your mobile. However, since battery, roaming, and wifi can cause issues, I always recommend also having a paper copy or PDF saved locally.

You may be asked to show TDAC:

at check-in with the airline
at the boarding gate
at immigration in Thailand

Keep the documents easily accessible along with your passport, return or onward ticket, and hotel booking if the airline or border police ask.

Official Sources to Check Current TDAC Rules

Since Thai entry regulations can be updated at short notice, you should always verify the latest situation through authorities and established sources. Here are the key links:

Thailand Immigration Bureau: https://www.immigration.go.th/
Tourism Authority of Thailand: https://www.tourismthailand.org/
Royal Thai Embassy Stockholm: https://stockholm.thaiembassy.org/
IATA Travel Centre via airlines or travel agencies for boarding requirements

If you are unsure whether you also need a visa, read our guide on visas to Thailand. If you want help with documents before your trip, you can proceed to the order page.

Checklist Before You Fly to Thailand

Go through this list the night before departure:

the passport is valid and undamaged
you have checked whether TDAC is required for your trip
TDAC is filled out with correct passport information
the confirmation is saved as a screenshot and PDF
you have the address of your first accommodation
you have a return or onward ticket if the airline asks
you have checked whether you need a visa or other entry permit

This takes five minutes but can save a lot of time at check-in.

Frequently Asked Questions / FAQ

Is TDAC the Same as a Visa for Thailand?

No. TDAC is a digital arrival card, not a visa. You may still need a visa or other permit depending on how long you plan to stay and the purpose of your trip.

Do Swedish Citizens Need to Fill Out TDAC?

Yes, if Thailand has made TDAC mandatory for your type of entry. Swedish citizens are normally subject to the same arrival card rules as other foreign travelers when the system is used. Always check the current situation via Thailand Immigration.

When Should I Fill Out TDAC?

You should fill it out within the time frame specified by Thai authorities and preferably well in advance of departure. Do not wait until the airport if you can avoid it.

Does TDAC Cost Money?

The government form should be checked via an official source. If you see a fee, it may be a private agent or assistance service. Always read the terms carefully before paying.

Can I Change TDAC After Submitting It?

It depends on how the portal is set up. Some systems allow changes, while others require you to submit a new registration. Check this directly in the official portal if you discover an error.

Conclusion: How to Avoid Problems with TDAC to Thailand

The most important thing for Swedish travelers is to treat TDAC as a separate, mandatory entry step when Thailand requires it. Fill out the form via the official portal, copy the information exactly from your passport, use the correct flight number, and save the confirmation offline. This will reduce the risk of problems both at boarding in Sweden and at immigration in Thailand.

If you also need to figure out whether you need a visa or other document assistance before your trip, start with visas to Thailand or go directly to the order page.

Step-by-Step Guide to TDAC Thailand 2026 for Swedish Travelers