Thailand e-Arrival Card 2026: step-by-step guide to apply online, fees, deadlines & penalties
You booked your flight to Thailand. You packed your bags. You checked your passport expiry date. But there is one more thing the airline will ask for before they print your boarding pass: your Thailand Arrival Card. Since 2024, Thailand has been rolling out the digital TM6 — the e-Arrival Card — and as of 2026 it is fully mandatory for most foreign travelers arriving by air, land, or sea. No paper card. No scribbling your hotel address on a cramped form mid-flight. It is all online now. Here is exactly how to get it done.
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What is the Thailand Arrival Card (TM6)?
The TM6 is the arrival-departure card that every foreign traveler entering Thailand must submit to Immigration. Before 2024 it was a paper form handed out on the plane. Since the digital transition, it has been replaced by the Thailand e-Arrival Card — an online application you complete before your trip. The system is managed by the Immigration Bureau of Thailand (under the Ministry of Interior). It collects your personal details, passport information, flight details, and intended accommodation in Thailand.
Do I Need to Fill It?
Yes, if you are a foreign national entering Thailand on a:
- Visa exemption (tourism — normally 30 or 45 days depending on nationality)
- Tourist visa (single or multiple entry)
- Transit visa (transiting through Thailand)
- Non-immigrant visa (business, education, retirement, marriage, etc.)
You do NOT need one if:
- You hold a Thai passport
- You hold a valid Thai Residence Permit (Alien Book / Re-entry Permit)
- You are a diplomat or UN official on official duty
Note: the digital TM6 is separate from the Thailand Pass system (which was scrapped in 2022). It is also separate from the TM30 (house registration report for landlords). The e-Arrival Card is purely for entry into Thailand.
Key Facts — At a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | Thailand e-Arrival Card (TM6) |
| Cost | FREE — no government fee for the TM6 itself |
| When to apply | Recommended: 24-72 hours before departure. Maximum: 1 hour before check-in closes (but cutting it this close is risky) |
| Validity | Single use per entry. Each arrival needs a new submission |
| Processing time | Instant (automated system) |
| Language | English and Thai available |
| Entry methods | Air, land border, sea (ferry / cruise) |
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Thailand e-Arrival Card Online
Step 1: Go to the Official Website
Open your browser and go to the official Immigration Bureau website for the TM6 e-Arrival Card. As of 2026, the official URL is normally listed on the Immigration Bureau website (extranet.immigration.go.th — navigate to the e-Arrival Card section). Do NOT use third-party websites that look official but charge you unnecessary fees. The real government website is free.
How to verify it is the real site: the official site ends in .go.th (government domain). If a site ends in .com or .net and asks for a credit card, it is a third-party service charging for something you can do for free.
Step 2: Create an Account (First Time Only)
- Click “Register” or “Sign Up”
- Enter your email address and create a password
- Verify your email (check your inbox — verification link expires in 24 hours)
- Log in with your new credentials
- Tip: save your login details. You will need them again for future trips
Step 3: Select Entry Type
- Choose your mode of entry: Air / Land / Sea
- Select the port of entry (e.g., Suvarnabhumi Airport BKK, Don Mueang DMK, Phuket HKT, Chiang Mai CNX, Aranyaprathet land border, etc.)
Step 4: Fill in Personal Details
- Full name: as it appears on your passport (exactly — including middle names)
- Date of birth: DD/MM/YYYY format
- Nationality: select from the dropdown list
- Passport number: exactly as on your passport
- Passport expiry date: must be at least 6 months from your arrival date in Thailand (this is a standard requirement)
- Country of residence: your home country, not your nationality if different
Step 5: Enter Travel Details
- Flight / vessel / vehicle number: e.g., TG633 (Thai Airways), or bus number if arriving by land
- Date and time of arrival: found on your ticket. Enter in the format requested
- Previous departure city: the city you are flying from (e.g., Singapore, London, Dubai)
Step 6: Enter Accommodation in Thailand
- First night address: your hotel, guesthouse, friend house, or hostel name and address
- If you have not booked accommodation yet, enter a general address like the city/area you plan to stay in (the system may not accept blank fields)
- Having a confirmed booking is ideal but not mandatory — just enter a reasonable address
Step 7: Health Declaration
- Standard questions: Do you have a fever? Have you been in contact with someone with a contagious disease? (Standard customs/immigration questions. Answer honestly)
Step 8: Review and Submit
- Double-check all fields — a typo in your passport number means the system will flag you at immigration and you will be sent to the manual counter
- Submit the form
- A confirmation QR code is generated. Save this. Take a screenshot. Save it on your phone and keep a printed copy in your carry-on
Step 9: At the Airport — Present Your QR Code
- At check-in, some airlines will ask to see your e-Arrival Card confirmation before issuing a boarding pass
- Upon arrival in Thailand: join the immigration queue. When you reach the officer, show your QR code (on phone or printed). The officer scans it. You are through
- If you have a biometric passport (e-passport), you may be able to use the Auto Channel / E-Gate — scan your passport and QR code at the machine, and walk through
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What Happens If I Don’t Fill It?
You will be denied boarding by the airline. Thai immigration regulations require airlines to verify that every passenger has submitted their TM6 before departure. Airlines that carry passengers without a valid TM6 risk fines. In practice: if you arrive at Suvarnabhumi without a TM6, there is a manual counter where you can fill it in on the spot using a kiosk (tablet provided). However, this adds 15-30 minutes to your wait. For land borders: you can fill it at the border crossing, but queues are longer. Do not risk it — fill it online before you leave for the airport.
When Should I Apply?
| Timing | Verdict |
|---|---|
| 7-30 days before | Too early. The system may expire or change before your arrival. Do not apply this early |
| 24-72 hours before | Perfect window. The system is active, your flight details are locked, and you have a full 3 days to correct any errors |
| 3-24 hours before | OK but cutting it close. If there is a system glitch or your internet goes down, you are scrambling |
| Less than 1 hour before | High risk. Do this only if you have no choice. Use the airport kiosk instead |
Is There a Fee?
The Thailand e-Arrival Card (TM6) is completely free when submitted through the official government website. There is no fee for the form itself. If you see a website charging 500-1,500 THB to process your TM6, it is a third-party service. Some travelers use them for convenience (if they find the government site confusing), but you 100% can do it yourself for free.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Consequence | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Passport number typo | Flagged at immigration, sent to manual counter | Double-check before submitting |
| Name does not match passport | Same — manual counter | Enter exactly as on passport |
| Using a fake/fake-looking website | Wasted money or data theft | Only use .go.th official site |
| Waiting until airport | Stress, queue at kiosk, possible missed flight | Do it 24-72 hours before |
| Not saving QR code | Cannot access after submission | Screenshot + email to yourself + print copy |
FAQ — Quick Answers
Q: Can I edit my TM6 after submitting?
A: No. You must submit a new one. The old one is invalidated.
Q: What if my flight changes?
A: Submit a new e-Arrival Card with the updated flight details.
Q: Do children need one?
A: Yes — every foreign traveler needs their own TM6, including infants and children. Parents or guardians fill it on their behalf.
Q: Is the paper TM6 still accepted?
A: As of 2026, paper TM6 forms are nearly phased out. Some land borders may still have them, but air travelers arriving at major airports must use the digital version.
Q: Can I use the same TM6 for multiple entries?
A: No. Single-use per entry. Each arrival requires a new submission.
Q: What do I need to bring to immigration?
A: Your passport + the QR code (phone or printed). If you have a visa sticker, that is in your passport already.
Conclusion
The Thailand e-Arrival Card (TM6) is a straightforward digital form that takes 10 minutes to complete and costs nothing. Fill it 24-72 hours before your flight, check your passport number three times before clicking submit, save the QR code on your phone and in your inbox, and you are ready to walk through Thai immigration without a hitch. The one thing that can ruin an arrival is laziness — do not leave it until the airport. Ten minutes now saves thirty minutes in a queue later. Safe travels.