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Thailand TDAC scams: the digital arrival card is free

Last checked: 19 October 2026 · Scam warnings by scheme

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is free. Thailand's tourism ministry says registration is “completely free of charge” and can only be done at https://tdac.immigration.go.th 1. All foreign nationals entering Thailand by air, land or sea must complete it before arrival, and you can register within 3 days before you arrive 2. In March 2026 the Immigration Bureau said at least 10% of foreign arrivals had used fraudulent TDAC websites 3. Any site asking for payment is not the Thai government.
Official site
tdac.immigration.go.th 1
Fee
Free 1
When to file
Within 3 days before arrival 2
Who must file
All foreign nationals, by air, land or sea, from 1 May 2025 2
Scale of the problem
At least 10% of arrivals used fake sites, March 2026 3
Thai cyber police hotline
1441 1

The official address and fee

The TDAC replaced the paper arrival card. From 1 May 2025 all foreign nationals entering Thailand must complete it online before arrival 2.

The only place to file is the Immigration Bureau site at tdac.immigration.go.th. It costs nothing 1. The UK government's travel advice links to the same address 2.

The TDAC is not a visa. It is an arrival form. You still need a visa or a visa exemption if your nationality requires one.

What Thai officials say

On 17 October 2025 the Ministry of Tourism and Sports said fake websites claiming to register the TDAC were charging foreign tourists a fee. It said: “The websites requesting payment are not official Thai government sites, but scams exploiting the influx of travelers to Thailand for illegal gain” 1.

The ministry urged people “not to trust any website or page claiming to act as an agent or requesting payment for TDAC registration” 1.

On 29 March 2026 the Immigration Bureau's deputy commissioner and spokesperson, Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron Rimpadee, said some travellers had registered through fake platforms. Khaosod English reported that at least 10% of foreign arrivals had used fraudulent TDAC websites 3.

How the overcharge works

The scam sites copy the look of the official form and add a payment step. The tourism ministry said the sites claim to be registration channels and charge a fee 1.

The Immigration Bureau said some fake sites ask for information under the pretext of an e-visa application 3. Your passport details then sit with an unknown company.

The scale is large. If at least 10% of foreign arrivals used fake sites, as the Immigration Bureau said in March 2026, the problem reaches far beyond a few careless travellers 3.

How the official process looks

You fill in the form on tdac.immigration.go.th. You can reach the same portal from the Immigration Bureau's main site, www.immigration.go.th 3.

The Immigration Bureau says confirmation comes by email 3. Registration is free, so there is no payment page at any step 1.

The tourism ministry said it would work with security and cyber agencies to track down and prosecute the people behind fake sites 1.

What to do

  • Type tdac.immigration.go.th yourself. Do not click ads or links in messages 1.
  • Never pay for a TDAC. Registration is free 1.
  • Register no more than 3 days before you arrive 2.
  • Keep evidence of any scam site: the address, screenshots and messages. Report it to the Thai Cyber Police Hotline 1441 or the Online Complaint Center 1212 OCC 1.
  • Call your card issuer about any payment 4.

Common questions

Does the Thailand Digital Arrival Card cost money?

No. The tourism ministry says TDAC registration is completely free 1.

What is the official TDAC website?

tdac.immigration.go.th, run by the Immigration Bureau 1.

How early can I fill in the TDAC?

Within 3 days before you arrive 2.

I paid a TDAC website. Is my card valid?

Check with the official system. The Immigration Bureau says fake platforms are not linked to the government 3. If you have no confirmation from the official site, file again there for free.

Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.

Sources

  1. Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Sports: Tourism Ministry warns of fake TDAC websites charging fees (17 October 2025)
  2. UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Thailand entry requirements (updated 12 October 2026)
  3. Khaosod English: 10% of foreign arrivals used fake TDAC sites, immigration warns (29 March 2026)
  4. US Federal Trade Commission: What To Do if You Were Scammed (updated 21 August 2026)

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