Thailand to Require Digital Arrival Card for Foreign Visitors Starting May 1

Foreign travelers heading to Thailand will soon need to ditch the pen and paper. Starting May 1, 2025, all international visitors will be required to complete a digital arrival card, officially replacing the long-used TM6 paper form, according to Thailand’s Immigration Bureau and reports from LoyaltyLobby.

The move is part of Thailand’s broader effort to modernize immigration processes and improve efficiency at entry points like Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) airports.

How It Works

Travelers will be expected to fill out the digital arrival form before boarding their flight to Thailand. Details will be submitted via a dedicated online portal, which is expected to launch in April, and will require basic personal information, passport data, and travel plans.

Upon successful completion, travelers will receive a QR code or confirmation that must be presented to immigration officers on arrival.

Thailand has previously trialed this system at selected airports with some success. The new requirement will go nationwide from May onward, impacting all international arrivals—tourists, business travelers, and even returning residents without Thai passports.

Why the Change?

The new e-arrival system is designed to cut down wait times, reduce paperwork, and improve security by centralizing data collection. Thailand’s immigration officials say it will also help streamline visa-on-arrival and border control procedures.

The TM6 paper form was previously suspended in 2022 for air travelers during the COVID recovery phase, and authorities have since debated whether to eliminate or digitize it. This new system marks a permanent digital pivot.

What Travelers Are Saying

Some travelers have welcomed the change, praising the convenience of pre-filling arrival information. Others, especially tech-averse or last-minute bookers, worry about glitches or internet access issues during the process.

Social media buzz has also highlighted confusion around where and how to access the digital form—especially as the official website hasn't yet launched. Thailand’s government says more guidance will be provided in April.

What This Means for Airline Staff and Standby Travelers

For airline employees and standby pass riders, this change introduces a critical new step in the pre-boarding process. Because the digital form is required before departure, gate agents may need to verify completion of the form alongside other entry requirements like visas or onward tickets.

Passriders should also be aware: if you're cleared for a flight last-minute, you’ll still need to have the digital arrival form completed before boarding—or risk being denied entry at immigration. Keep your passport details saved and internet ready so you can complete the form on the fly.

Long-Term Outlook

Thailand joins a growing list of countries shifting toward digital border entry systems, similar to Australia’s ETA, the EU’s upcoming ETIAS, and Canada’s ArriveCAN. As more nations modernize their immigration processes, travelers—and the airline staff who move them—will need to stay sharp and digitally literate.

Airlines operating into Thailand may also need to update boarding checklists and train crews on the new documentation protocols to avoid issues during passenger processing.

What do you think of Thailand’s switch to digital arrival cards? Is it a welcome upgrade—or another layer of pre-trip stress?