You've sent your Thailand Digital Arrival Card, and then you notice a typo in the hotel address. Or your flight is moved to the next morning. Neither is a reason to worry. Most details on the card can be changed before you travel, and for the few that can't, the answer is a new card. This guide explains which is which, and what to have with you when you land.
Most details can be updated
The TDAC site has a page called Update Arrival Card. The TDAC user guide says your information can be updated any time before you travel. That covers the details most likely to change:
- your arrival date
- your flight or vehicle number
- where you'll stay
- most other details on the card
You can submit or update the official TDAC yourself at tdac.immigration.go.th.
How to find your card
To open your card on the update page, you'll need three things:
- your TH Digital Arrival Card number, from the e-mail or PDF you received
- your date of birth
- your nationality
Once your card is open, change what needs changing, and read your answers through again before you save.
Use the same channel you used to submit
The Thai Immigration Bureau's order on the arrival card says a card is edited through the channel it was submitted through. If you used the website, update it on the website. If you used the Immigration Bureau's app, update it in the app.
What can't be changed
Some details identify you, and they can't be edited. The TDAC FAQ lists your full name, passport number, nationality and date of birth. The Immigration Bureau's order and Thai embassies give the same list.
One small caution: the current TDAC user guide lists only the name, nationality and date of birth, and an earlier release note mentions editing of the passport number. Government sources differ on that one field. If your passport number is wrong and the update page doesn't let you change it, submit a new card.
Submitting a new card instead
If one of those details is wrong, fill in the form again with the right details. The FAQ says the system considers only the most recent submission valid, so the new card is the one that counts.
The usual rule still applies: a new card can be sent from three days before your arrival date. Our guide to the 3-day window explains how to count it.
Common changes, and what to do
| What changed | What to do |
|---|---|
| Flight time or flight number | Update the card |
| Arrival date | Update the card, or submit a new one |
| Hotel or address | Update the card |
| A typo in your name | Submit a new card |
| Wrong nationality or date of birth | Submit a new card |
| A new passport | Submit a new card with the new passport's details |
If you get a new passport
Because the passport number can't be changed with an update, if you renew or replace your passport before the trip, submit a new card with the new passport's number, and travel with that passport.
If your trip is postponed
Each card is valid for one entry on the arrival date it gives. If your trip moves, update the arrival date, or submit a new card for the new date once its window opens. The FAQ says that when your flight or hotel changes, you can update the card or submit a new one before you enter Thailand.
What to keep with you on arrival
When you reach the immigration checkpoint, have these to hand:
- Your passport, the same one you entered on the card.
- Your TDAC. The QR code is in the e-mail and the PDF. You can show it on your phone; the FAQ says printing isn't required, and suggests a printed copy only if you won't have a device with you. A screenshot saved to your phone helps if you won't have a signal.
- Your visa, if your nationality needs one. The TDAC is not a visa.
The e-mail with your card may also say whether you can use the automated border control gates or should go to an immigration counter. If you never received the QR code, the FAQ's advice is to speak to an immigration officer at the checkpoint.
A few habits that help
- Check the preview page against your passport before you submit. It takes a minute and saves a second card.
- Keep the confirmation e-mail. Its card number is how you find your card later.
- Update the card as soon as plans change, rather than at the airport.
Where calmvisa fits
calmvisa is an independent service, not affiliated with the Thai government. We fill in the Thai form for you and give you the card number and the PDF; Thailand e-mails you a copy too. If you need to change something later, use the Update Arrival Card page on the Thai site with the card number we give you. The questions on our Thailand arrival card page cover this and more.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change my arrival date after submitting?
Yes. Use Update Arrival Card with your card number, date of birth and nationality, or submit a new card. Only the most recent submission counts.
I misspelled my name. What should I do?
Submit a new card with your name exactly as in your passport. Names can't be changed with an update, and the new card replaces the old one.
Do I need to cancel my old card?
The government's sources don't describe a cancellation step. When you submit again, the system treats the most recent card as the valid one.
Do I need to print my TDAC?
No. Showing the QR code on your phone is enough. Print a copy if you won't have a phone or tablet with you.