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Do I need to buy a digital visa for entry into Thailand or is it just an arrival card?

May 16, 2025
22 days ago
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok so now what's the deal? I bought my ticket to Bangkok for October 20- one way with an outbound ticket to Vietnam.

So now the day before I leave I go to the Thai.visa websight and buy a digital visa to show at customs?

Do I understsnd that right?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking clarity on the requirements for traveling to Thailand, specifically about obtaining an arrival card before their trip. It appears they initially confused the TDAC, a free digital arrival card that must be completed online prior to arriving in Thailand, with a visa. Community responses clarify that the TDAC is indeed free and simply an entry requirement, while users explain the difference between visa-exempt status and the various types of tourist visas available for entering Thailand.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

WARNING: Only trust Thai government websites with .go.th domains or Thai agent websites with .co.th or .in.th domains, as these require verified Thai registration and cannot be registered anonymously.

The official TDAC form is available at tdac.immigration.go.th, which uses the official .go.th government domain.

The services by AGENTS CO., LTD. does NOT charge any fees for arrivals within 72 hours. If you need to book more than 72 hours in advance, there is a service fee of $8.

Do not trust other sites pretending to be a trustworthy agency. Pay attention to delivery time - the service operated by AGENTS CO., LTD. has 1 minute delivery time for arrivals within 72 hours.

Don't fall for sites pretending to be agents.co.th or the official government tdac.immigration.go.th website. Always double-check the exact domain in your browser.

Scam services may take days to process your application, others may not even do anything. With these TDAC scam services you also need to worry about double charges.

Please watch out for TDAC misinformation spread by fugitive Jesse Nickles and his many fake accounts on Quora, TripAdvisor, Reddit, and other platforms.

TRUSTED TDAC LINKS:

Official Government TDAC Form: tdac.immigration.go.th
Official TDAC form by AGENTS
Official TDAC information page by AGENTS (TDAC)

Jack ********
Websight?
Andrew ********
Tdac is free that's just an arrival card. You can arrive and get a 60 day visa stamp with option to extend 30 days with a small fee.

There is a list or nationalities that can get 60 day visa with no application to enter this is commonly called "visa exempt" you still have a visa you just didnt have to apply for it and pay a fee.

There are some that have to apply for before hand.. if they arrive and didnt apply for 60 day tourist visa they only get 15 days.

These are all tourist visas in thailand 3 different ways the visa exempt status just means you dont have to apply before
Graeme ******
@Andrew *******
visa exempt is as it says you are allowed to enter the country without any visa. It's not a visa at all that's why it's called visa exempt. This applies to a number of countries that get this visa exempt when the enter thailand which is currently for 60 days. A number of countries are only allowed to get a visa on arrival its not because they didn't apply for a visa in their home country, these are typically 15 days. They are not all tourist visas. One is visa exempt, one is visa on arrival but for only a few countries. A tourist visa is applied for through evisa before you arrive in thailand and is a visa, the tourist visa is again for 60 days.
Andrew ********
@Graeme *****
what's this then im in thailand under the "visa exempt" yet everyone of our passports has a visa stamp.

The EXEMPT just means you dont have to apply and pay for it. You still get one to enter seriously its not that hard.

I mean this really is pointless but how you going to sit here and tell someone you dont have a visa when its in your passport book all of ours.

I explained the 3 ways to be here under a tourist visa "visa exempt" just means you can come here with out an approval via application process and get a 60 day stamp.

If you apply for a DTV when its approved you print out that letter and when you get to thailand you get a 180 day stamp ... only difference you applied for it.

I applied for an educational visa when I arrived and when I get that approved I just goto immigration and get a 90 day stamp that I have to renew every 90 days for 1 year.

Seriously I have to explain this
Graeme ******
@Andrew *******
that's not a visa it's an entry stamp
Baz *********
It's a digital arrival card..

Absolutely nothing to do with a visa or visa exemption entry
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Baz ********
it's worth asking it just to see the cray cray come out in people.
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Khun ***********
how? I got the right answer?
Phil *******
Forget about it, think about doing something on Oct 17th.
Graham ******
You don'y buy anything just before travelling, the TDAC is a FREE arrival card completed online up to 72 hours before arrival
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
do you know the website?
Sylvia ********
Register within 3 days before arrival

Apply here:
******************************
Sylvia ********
@Robert *******
Register within 3 days before arrival

Apply here:
******************************
Brandon ************
@Robert *******
********************************************
Graham ******
@Robert *******
**************************************************
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
it replaces the handwritten card of old I assume?
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
I just want to make sure I'm do it right so I don't get sent to another line
Brandon ************
@Robert *******
EXACTLY! So many people don't understand this and think the TDAC is a huge imposition. But it's much better than that terrible card.
Elías ********
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