Traveling with children is stressful enough without worrying about immigration paperwork. A common misconception is that infants or young children "don’t count" for entry forms because they don’t have their own money or jobs. This is false.
Critical Rule
In 2026, Thailand’s digital border system requires every individual human being to be documented with a TDAC, regardless of age. If your baby has a passport, your baby needs a TDAC.
1. Does My Baby Need a TDAC?
Yes. Every passport holder entering Thailand needs a unique Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) QR code.
- The Rule: If they have a passport, they need a TDAC.
- The common mistake: Parents fill out forms for themselves but forget the infant.
- The result: You clear the e-gates, but your child is blocked. You must then leave the line and fill out a new form manually while managing luggage and a tired toddler.
Pro Tip for Parents
File your children’s TDACs at the same time as yours — ideally 3+ days before departure. Airport WiFi with a screaming baby is not the time to be filling out immigration forms.
2. Visa Rules for Children
- Visa Exemption: If you are from a 60-day exemption country (UK, USA, Australia, etc.), your children get the same exemption. They do not need a separate visa application, but they do need their own passport entry stamp.
- Visa on Arrival: If you are from a VOA country (e.g., India, China), children generally pay the same 2,000 THB fee, though this can vary by specific bilateral agreements. Budget accordingly for a family of four.
3. The "Proof of Funds" Exception for Families
Thailand strictly requires tourists to carry cash (20,000 THB per person). However, for families, this rule is capped — and it’s actually more lenient than most travelers think:
- Individual: 20,000 THB (approx. $600 USD).
- Family: 40,000 THB total (approx. $1,200 USD) for the whole group, regardless of family size.
Important Note
You do not need to show 20,000 THB per child. Just show that the parents have sufficient funds for the whole family. One parent carrying 40,000 THB covers everyone.
4. How to File for a Family (The Easy Way)
The official government portal requires you to start a fresh application for every single person. This means re-typing your hotel address, flight number, and arrival date 3, 4, or 5 times. With a toddler on your lap, this is a nightmare.
The Solution: Use "Group Application"
Our service is designed specifically for families:
- Select "Number of Passengers" (up to 6) in our form.
- Enter the flight & hotel info once.
- We automatically replicate the shared travel data for your spouse and kids.
- You get all QR codes sent to one email address — no juggling multiple inboxes.
Our Service
Forms to fill: 1 (group)
Time: ~5 minutes total
QR codes: All sent to 1 email
Government Portal
Forms to fill: 1 per person
Time: ~15 min per person
QR codes: Separate accounts needed
5. Fast Track Lanes for Families
At Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Phuket (HKT), look for the "Priority Lane" (often marked for monks, elderly, and disabled travelers).
- Infants/Strollers: Families with young children are often allowed to use the Priority Lane, skipping the massive main queue. This is unofficial but widely practiced.
- Pre-requisite: You must have your documents (passports + TDAC QR codes for every family member) ready to scan. If you are fumbling with forms on your phone, they will send you to the back of the regular line.
Phuket Tip
Phuket International Airport (HKT) has a smaller immigration hall than BKK. During peak season (November–March), wait times can exceed 90 minutes. Having all TDAC QR codes pre-printed is strongly recommended for families.
My child is under 1 year old. Do they really need a TDAC?
Can I use one email for all family members' TDACs?
What if my child doesn't have a passport yet?
Don’t fill out 4 separate forms on a tiny phone screen.
Use our Family Group Application to file for everyone in minutes. We verify all passport numbers before submission.
Apply for Your Family Now
