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Is the online visa exemption form a waste of time if I'm arriving in Thailand before May 1st?

Apr 23, 2025
24 days ago
Sally *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm flying to Thailand today from UK, I was advised by travel agent to complete the online visa exemption form/landing info, the sent the link in their travel info which I did with some difficulty (country of origin is required in 3 different places on the form and the UK is not easy to find on the list as it's GB on one, United kingdom in another, very confusing.. anyway all done on Sunday.. but now I'm seeing this isn't even a thing until May 1st, so was that just a waste of my time?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user expresses concern about having completed the online visa exemption form (TDAC) for Thailand, only to learn it is not necessary until May 1st. Community members clarify that the form is only needed for arrivals starting May 1st and therefore, the user's efforts were unnecessary but not entirely wasted as they gained experience. Suggestions include checking the Thai embassy's official site for accurate travel information and considering a new travel agent.
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 tdac.in.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 (https://tdac.agents.co.th)
Official TDAC information page by AGENTS (https://tdac.in.th)

Nigel ******
Yes, get a new travel agent
SJ *******
First world problem
Helen *****************
Not to worry, you need nothing until May 1st after which it is a simple on line ENTRY QUESTIONER.. it is just a check for immigration. If you are worried just go through the E gate after you fill in on line and have entered once
Steve ****
You’re lucky.

Initial runs had more flavours for Britain
Stephen *********
Yes
Ronny *****
Time for a new agent
Henrik *****
Always check the Thai Embassy website for that kind of information, there you will get the right information.
Steve **********
Travel Agent was just being cautious. At least they are informing customers about TDAC. Hasn't cost you anything but time.
Peter **********
most confising thing is Country of Residence

If you live in thalland, thailand isnt included on the drop down menu
Bent *************
Not until May 1st.

You should pick another travel agent, haha!
Neil ********
Yes
Mark ******
You need a new agent
Jesper *******
The arrival card starts 1st of May u can only filled the form 72hrs-0hrs before arrival.....it takes 5mins to fill the form I don't understand what time wasting u talking about just take it as learning something new a lot of countries already start using arrival cards
Jo **********
@Jesper ******
we don’t yet how long the form takes because it’s not been active yet.
Jesper *******
@Jo *********
you will know if you have traveled to countries already using arrival cards..
Jo **********
@Jesper ******
other countries are not Thailand. Singapore has a phone app and can be done in 2 minutes. We will see.
Jesper *******
@Jo *********
oh singaore yes been there and I only use a link to do the arrival card it's insane to download a app just to do arrival card...downloading the app probably take longer time den filling up the form
Jo **********
@Jesper ******
just did the new for the U.K. that was tough but it’s once for two years and need to pay
Jo **********
@Jesper ******
i need to enter Singapore once a month. With the app it remembers all your personal information you click twice and its done
Jesper *******
@Jo *********
that's good
Elías ********
Today is not May 1st... so, no use.
Todd *********
yes, total waste of time. Ironic, considering that is what we pay travel agents to avoid
Wannikea *********
It's for arrivals starting May 1st onwards. The site will be live on April 28th to accommodate those May 1st arrivals
Andy **********
@Wannikea ********
obviously it's live now given the op has submitted it.
Wannikea *********
@Andy *********
it's live yes, but effectively inoperable/incompatible since it only allows a 3 day window in advance.
Will ************
@Andy *********
it was live 3 weeks ago
Martin *********
It's called Thailand
Todd *********
@Martin ********
In this case, it's called the UK. FAR worse
Martin *********
@Todd ********
yes via a thai government website
Anna *********
Yup 😀
Richie *******
Yep
Stuart ******
Waste of time. But immigration likes making travellers suffer..and that isn't even including the extra visits to immigration police offices.

They know what they are doing. We don't and still we feed the state coffers
Lynnette *******
@Stuart *****
how on earth would you suffer by filling in a form? Try entering UK or USA as a Thai. . That's real immigration suffering.
Paul ********
Due diligence pays off 😎
Sally *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul *******
and I knew it already but I still completed the form cos I was told to..😆😆
Paul ********
@Sally ******
😄😄
Tom ********
Go crazy in all the bars and clubs on arrival and never look back! 🍺 🚬
Martin ********
I’m afraid so 😒
Mark ********
And this shows why some people should not travel....
Bruce **********
Have a great trip.
Bruce **********
@Mark *******
helpful answer.
Diana *******
@Mark *******
meanness is not helpful. This person is trying to get information and once you hadn’t traveled either.
Michael ********
Yep waste of time, sack the travel agent
Julie ********
Enjoy your holiday.
Lynnette *******
It's not a visa or exemption form. It's just details of your arrival info that starts for arrivals after May 1st.
Phil ******
@Sally ******
no such thing. Your entering Thailand by being stamped in Visa Exempt for 60-days
Luc ************
Travel agent doesn't know his/her job🙄🤷‍♂️
Nongnuch ********
you should throw your travel agent into the bin. Complete waste of time, as the filling out of the TDAC online digital arrival card starts from May 1st. and doesn't relate to you. Just fr....g check into your flight without a visa. If your plan stay in Thailand longer than 60 days and your return flight is after these 60 days you will get stamped in upon entry, you might need n onward travel proof for the airline
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