Entry Requirements
If you hold a passport from UAE, you must submit a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before entering the Kingdom of Thailand. The TDAC replaced the paper-based TM6 form and is now required for all international arrivals — regardless of your visa status or purpose of travel.
As a Emirati citizen, you are eligible for visa exempt (30 days) entry. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry. The TDAC collects your personal details, travel information, and accommodation address in Thailand.
⚠️ Common Issue for Emirati Passport Holders
Passport expiry rules — this is the most common reason for TDAC rejections from Emirati travelers. Our system automatically detects and corrects these issues before submission, ensuring your arrival card is accepted without delays at immigration.
How to Apply
- 1Have your UAE passport ready with at least 6 months validity from your planned entry date.
- 2Complete the online form on TDAC.info with your personal details, travel itinerary, and accommodation address in Thailand.
- 3Our team reviews your submission for errors and you receive your approved QR code via email before your departure.
- 4Present your QR code at Thai immigration upon arrival — no paper forms needed, skip the queues.
Visa Status
Emirati citizens: Visa Exempt (30 Days). No visa application required for tourist stays within the allowed period.
Visa Duration for Emirati Citizens
Emirati passport holders can stay in Thailand for 30 days from 15 Sep 2026 (60 days if you enter by 14 Sep 2026) under the current visa exemption. Extensions are available at local Immigration offices.
Flights to Thailand from UAE
- Dubai (DXB) → Bangkok
- Abu Dhabi (AUH) → Bangkok
Common TDAC Mistakes by Emirati Travelers
- Arabic name transliteration must match passport MRZ exactly
- UAE passport numbers are 9 digits
- Ensure passport validity of 6+ months
Auto Gates at Suvarnabhumi: UAE Is on the Announced List
Thailand's Immigration Bureau approved in principle on 17 August 2026 that UAE passports will be added to the automated arrival gates at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, with the change phased in ahead of the November-April high season. It is not fully live yet: until the signage at your terminal says otherwise, treat the manned counter as your default.
What has to be true before a gate will take you
- At least two previous entries to Thailand. The gate matches a live face scan against biometrics already on file, so first-time visitors still clear immigration at a manned counter.
- A renewed passport resets it. New passport, new biometric capture - the first arrival after a renewal goes back through the counter.
- The arrival card is still mandatory. Auto gates do not replace the Thailand Digital Arrival Card. The gate reads your passport chip and looks up the TDAC filed under that passport number.
- Any mismatch sends you to the manual queue. A name spelling, passport number or date of birth that does not match the filed TDAC will not clear the gate.
The fast lane is only as fast as the arrival card behind it: the details on your TDAC have to match the passport in your hand, character for character.
Royal Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi
For visa enquiries beyond the visa exemption period, contact the Royal Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
Visit Embassy WebsiteThe 90-Second Version
What Immigration Checks on Emirati Passports
- Passport validity. The rule that catches Emirati travellers: six months from entry, measured against the passport, not the Emirates ID. Check children's passports especially — they are issued for shorter terms.
- First-night address. Asked of Gulf families routinely; the TDAC requires it too. Villa bookings need the full address, not just the island.
- Return or onward ticket. Expected; a Phuket departure on an open-jaw ticket is fine.
- Medication. Carry prescriptions for any controlled medicines; Thai customs treats codeine and some sleep aids as controlled.
Your Name on the TDAC
Staying Longer Than 30 days
Practical Notes for Emirati Travellers
- Cards. UAE-issued Visa and Mastercard work everywhere cards are taken; Apple Pay is accepted in Bangkok malls. Cash is still needed for taxis and markets — every Thai ATM charges a flat 220 THB on foreign cards.
- Halal and prayer. Prayer rooms at Suvarnabhumi before and after immigration; halal dining is concentrated around Sukhumvit Soi 3–5 in Bangkok and widely available in Phuket.
- Season. UAE summer holidays coincide with Thailand's rainy season; Samui and the Gulf-of-Thailand islands are drier than Phuket from June to October.
- Help in Thailand. The UAE Embassy is in Bangkok; the Royal Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate in Dubai handle visas for stays beyond the exemption.
Filling Out the TDAC with a UAE Passport
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