Latest news on Thailand Digital Arrival Card

By Barry Kenyon

May 2, 2025

Same day border hoppers – those obtaining extra time in Thailand by crossing briefly into Cambodia or another neighbouring country – do have to fill in the online TDAC form whilst waiting an hour or two before returning here. Those travelling with an agency may find the TDAC form is filled in by accompanying staff, but those travelling alone will need to deal alone with the new bureaucracy.

Most of those undertaking border runs are Destination Thailand Visa holders seeking another six months’ sojourn, visa-exempt foreigners looking for a further 60 days and some multiple entry non-immigrant visa holders who must leave Thailand after three months stay. Immigration officers at land entry points say that the rules and regulations for border hops are under review by a governmental working party examining visa exempt regulations and their many repercussions. For now, there are no national changes.

In other developments, foreign visitors at Thai airports who have not filled in the TDAC in advance may find computer desks and helpful officers on duty to assist the forgetful and the computer illiterate. The foreign affairs ministry has stated again that the TDAC has to be filled in 72 hours or less (not more) prior to arrival in Thailand. In general, inauguration day on May 1 went smoothly at airports and land and sea entry points, although some passengers believed they must print the confirmatory email to give to the immigration officer on arrival. In fact, it is OK simply to show him or her the email on your mobile phone.

Foreign visitors are reminded by the Thai cyber police about fake websites which charge a processing fee for completing TDAC before absconding with people’s biometric information and credit or debit card details. Investigations are underway and at least one fake site has been blocked already. The legitimate TDAC service is presently free but must be repeated before every entry to Thailand. It’s [members only]

[members only]

Hi, can someone tell me what is the new rules regarding border hopping? How many land crossings are allowed per year? Thanks

I am a US citizen who’s dating a Thai citizen and we are trying to get her a US visa but it does not look good. I may be coming back to Thailand and stay with her for a while while we figure things out. It seems like some have said that if you come and go from Thailand every 60 days for a border bounce the immigration people will eventually take notice. Will I have a problem coming and going with no visa if I do the 30 or 45 day initial and then the 30 day extension then bounce and repeat? Will they eventually hassle me if I do it too many times? Thanks

How many times am I able to visa jump? I have gotten one visa extension in Bangkok and then one visa jump to Cambodia. Am I able to do one more?

An "everything else" question - I'm coming to Thailand in August (from NZ), meeting the family from the UK - 7 days Bangkok, 3 days Chiang Mai, 2 weeks Phuket for the nephews and then they return to the UK. I have another 9 days before I return to NZ. The advice you might be to help me with is - do I go to another country for a week (so am in Thailand less than 30 days visa exempt, come back 2nd visa exempt to get flight back to NZ) or ideas what to do/where to go in Thailand for 9 days (I'd get a visitors visa as over 30 days). Thanks in advance. Mike. :)

Is it still the case that if I enter on a 30 day "Permission to Enter"...then get a 30 day extension locally (Ko Phangan Immigration)...will I be able to exit Thailand to a neighboring country such as Malaysia...and get another 30 day Permission to Enter.

I have done this once before...but pre-Covid.

I don't know if any of these are considered "Visas".

I will be arriving next week and just considering options.

Yes I know I could have applied for a 60 day Visa here in USA and probably extended that for 30 days.

Thank you

Hi! So I plan on moving to Thailand soon and am curious about how the whole visa thing works? Do you apply for a 60 day visa then keep extending it? I know you have to hop the boarder every few months but is there a limit on how many times you can do that? Or what is the best option or loophole you guys have used? I plan on staying for a year or maybe more. Thanks! 😊

I've done searches but can't seem to find anything recent that answers this question.

If I leave from Chiang Mai and get a visa on arrival from Mae Sai (I've had two METV's so far), do I get a 30 day visa on arrival or 15 day? There is so much conflicting information because it looks like it changed to 15 and then went back to 30 but I want to reconfirm.

Hi, I just have a quick question regarding land crossings. I used to work legally in Thailand and had a non-b visa with a valid work permit. That was all cancelled when I stopped working since I wanted to move to Chiang Mai for a few months on tourist visas, so I only have 1 SETV tourist visa in my passport from this year, and 1 from 2016 before I was working.

In 2018, I have entered Thailand once by air (Krabi airport, on a 30 day exemption, which I extended) and once by land (Nong Khai, on a 60 day SETV, which I extended). My current extension is good until September 25th. Am I correct in thinking I can just do a border hop at Maesai/Taichilek (same day) on the 24th or 25th, come back into Thailand on a 30 day exemption, then extend that come October ~24th? I plan to fly home end of November. The date will vary based on this but I will be buying the ticket in a few weeks.

If I just do a border bounce, do I have to show proof of funds / onward ticket / lease agreement?

Sorry for the long post! I just want to make sure I can do this, and I don't need to do another visa run to Vientiane or somewhere else. Thanks!!! :)

I arrived last year in November with a thirty day exempt then got an extension. Did a border hop in January at Mae Sai and got another 30 days. Got an extension in Ranong last month with no problems. I am planning to do another border hop for another 30 day exempt in Ranong this time. I just want to be sure that it will be okay and confirm that I am allowed two border hops per CALENDAR year. I do realize it is up to the discretion of the official, but wonder if anyone has had issues with doing three in a row like this. Thanks in advance!