THIM Thailand: What It Is and How the New Thai Immigration App Works
THIM – Thailand Immigration Management is the new official application developed by Thailand’s Immigration Bureau to digitalize and simplify entry and stay procedures for foreign nationals in Thailand.
The application is connected to the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, commonly known as the TDAC, and allows travelers to enter the information required for entry into the country before departure, scan their passport, manage their trips, and register any accompanying travelers.
However, it is important to clarify one point from the outset: the TDAC is mandatory, whereas using the THIM app is not. Travelers who do not wish to install the application can continue to complete and obtain their Digital Arrival Card through the Immigration Bureau’s official website.
What is THIM?
THIM stands for Thailand Immigration Management and is the official digital platform of Thailand’s Immigration Bureau.
The project was launched with the aim of bringing together, in a single application, a range of services for tourists, international travelers, and foreign nationals living or staying in Thailand.
In its initial phase, THIM is primarily used to complete and manage the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, the digital form that replaced the traditional paper TM6 arrival card on May 1, 2025.
The application is officially available for Android and iOS devices. Before downloading it, users are advised to check that the listed developer is Thailand’s Immigration Bureau or the Royal Thai Police, and to avoid unofficial applications or services that charge a fee for completing the TDAC.
Are THIM and TDAC the same thing?
No. THIM and the TDAC are two connected tools, but they are not the same thing.
TDAC – Thailand Digital Arrival Card is the entry form that foreign nationals must submit before arriving in Thailand.
THIM, on the other hand, is the application that allows users to complete, submit, and manage the TDAC using a smartphone.
In practice:
- The TDAC is the digital document required to enter Thailand.
- THIM is one of the channels through which it can be completed.
- The TDAC can also be completed without installing THIM by using the Immigration Bureau’s official website.
- THIM is not a visa and does not replace a passport or any required entry visa.
Is the THIM app required?
No, the THIM app is not mandatory.
What is mandatory is the submission of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card by non-Thai nationals entering the country, with a few exceptions, such as transit passengers who do not pass through immigration control.
The TDAC may therefore be submitted:
- through the THIM app
- through the official Thailand Digital Arrival Card website
The Immigration Bureau’s website remains an official and free alternative. Therefore, if the app does not work properly on your device, you can complete the procedure through a web browser without affecting your trip.
When Should You Complete the TDAC Through THIM?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card can be submitted within the three days preceding arrival in Thailand, including the day of arrival.
The relevant date is therefore the date of entry into Thailand, not necessarily the date of departure from your country.
For example, travelers arriving in Thailand on August 10 can submit the TDAC starting on August 8.
The document is valid for a single entry only. For a new trip or a subsequent re-entry into Thailand, a new TDAC must be submitted. Children and infants must also have their own registration, which may be completed by a parent as part of a group submission.
What Can You Do with THIM?
The application was designed to simplify the preparation of travel documents before arrival.
Among the main features that are available or have been announced are:
Passport Scan
THIM allows travelers to use their smartphone camera to scan their passport details and automatically add them to their traveler profile.
After scanning, it is still important to check carefully that your first name, surname, nationality, passport number, and date of birth have been recognized correctly.
Filling Out the Thailand Digital Arrival Card
Through the app, you can enter the information required by TDAC, including:
- personal and passport information
- Date and method of arrival
- flight number or mode of transportation used
- reason for the trip
- Information about your first place to stay in Thailand
- any required health information
- Email address where you would like to receive the confirmation
For a detailed explanation of each field, please refer to our complete guide to completing the TDAC.
Registration of Family Members and Companions
THIM allows multiple travelers to be added to the same application. According to information released by the Thai government, group submissions can be managed for up to ten people.
This feature can be useful for families, couples, or small groups sharing the same trip and accommodation. However, each traveler must still have an individual registration linked to their personal details and passport.
Travel Management
The app allows users to view their registered trips, save selected profile details, and update any editable information before entering the country.
The option to save a profile can speed up the process for frequent travelers to Thailand, although a new TDAC must still be submitted for each entry.
Identity Verification
The update released on July 30, 2026, also introduced an identity verification, or KYC, feature for travelers associated with the arrival card.
The update also allows users to edit the information saved in their profile and link additional travelers to verified profiles. The way these features work, as well as their actual availability, may vary depending on the app version and the device being used.
Notifications and Reminders
THIM can send notifications about deadlines, missing information, and travel updates.
This feature can be particularly useful for avoiding the risk of forgetting to complete the TDAC during the final days before departure.
How to Fill Out the TDAC Using THIM
The procedure may change with future updates, but the general steps are as follows.
1. Download the official app
Search for “THIM – Thai Immigration Bureau” on the App Store or on Google Play Store.
Always check the developer’s name before installing it.
2. Create Your Profile
Enter the required email address and complete the registration process. You may need to verify your identity using a code or link sent to you by email.
3. Scan your passport
Use your smartphone’s camera to scan the page containing your photograph and personal details.
Place the document on a flat surface, avoid glare, and make sure the machine-readable zone at the bottom of the page is fully visible.
4. Check the collected data
Please check carefully:
- first and last name
- passport number
- nationality
- date of birth
- document expiration date
The information must match the details shown in the passport exactly.
5. Create a new trip
Enter the details of your arrival in Thailand, your means of transport, the purpose of your stay, and your chosen accommodation.
Keep the following handy:
- passport
- arrival flight number
- expected date of admission
- Name and address of the first place of residence
- Information on leaving the country, when requested
- valid email address
6. Add accompanying persons
If you are traveling with family or friends, you can add them to the same application. The relevant passport details will be required for each traveler.
7. Review and submit
Before submitting, carefully review all the information. An error in the passport number, name, or date of birth may cause problems during the verification process.
Once the procedure is complete, save the confirmation and the corresponding code on your phone.
What to Show Upon Arrival in Thailand
After the TDAC is submitted, a digital confirmation linked to the traveler’s details is generated.
It is recommended that:
- save a copy to your smartphone
- take a screenshot of the code
- Save the document you received via email
- Print a hard copy as a backup solution
Although the information is transmitted electronically to the Immigration Bureau, keeping the confirmation readily available can help speed up any checks.
What to Do If THIM Isn’t Working
THIM is a relatively new platform, and some features are still being updated and improved.
If you experience problems with passport scanning, registration, the camera, or data submission, there is no need to keep trying to use the app.
You can access the official Thailand Digital Arrival Card website directly and complete the procedure through your web browser.
The most prudent solution is:
- Make sure you have the latest version of THIM
- Check the permissions granted to the camera
- Try closing and reopening the app
- Use a stable internet connection
- Go to the official TDAC website if the problem persists
The Immigration Bureau identifies the TDAC portal as the official channel for submitting the digital arrival card. The procedure is free of charge.
Be wary of unofficial websites and apps
There is no fee for completing the Thailand Digital Arrival Card.
Therefore, attention should be paid to:
- Websites that mimic the Immigration Bureau’s design
- Services that charge a fee to file the TDAC
- apps with names similar to THIM
- messages or emails requesting payment
- links received through unverified social media platforms or chat apps
Use only the official app or the Immigration Bureau’s website.
What services will be available in the future?
The THIM project is not limited to the Digital Arrival Card alone.
The Thai government has announced plans to develop the application into a more comprehensive platform, through which foreign nationals will gradually be able to access additional immigration services, such as:
- appointment scheduling
- submission of requests
- Submission of Documents
- status check on cases
- access to services for foreign nationals staying in Thailand under different visa categories
Full implementation had been scheduled for August 2026. Since no single date has been announced for the activation of all features, it is reasonable to expect a gradual rollout through subsequent app updates.
Is THIM really worth it?
For those who prefer using a smartphone, THIM can make completing the Thailand Digital Arrival Card more convenient, particularly thanks to passport scanning, trip management, and the option to add multiple travelers.
It can be particularly useful for:
- families and small groups
- frequent travelers
- people who prefer to keep all their information in the app
- foreign nationals who may need to access other immigration services in the future
Travelers making a single trip who prefer not to create an account can simply continue using the official TDAC website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does THIM replace TDAC?
No. THIM allows users to complete and manage the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, but the TDAC remains the digital document required for entry into Thailand.
Do I have to install THIM?
No. You can complete the TDAC directly through the Immigration Bureau’s official website.
Is THIM free?
The official app is free to download, and there is no fee for submitting the TDAC.
Do I need to submit a new TDAC every time I enter Thailand?
Yes. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is valid for a single entry and for the declared date of arrival.
Is a TDAC required during a simple transit?
It is not required if the passenger remains in the international transit area and does not pass through immigration control. However, it becomes necessary if the passenger formally enters Thailand, even during a layover.
In conclusion
THIM represents another step forward in the digitalization of Thailand’s Immigration Bureau.
The app allows users to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, scan their passport, manage their trips, register accompanying travelers, and receive notifications. In the future, it is also expected to become a single access point for simplifying a wide range of immigration-related services.
For now, the most important thing to remember is simple: the TDAC is mandatory, while the THIM app is optional.
Those who prefer to use the app can download it from the official app stores. Anyone who encounters problems or does not wish to install it can continue to submit the Digital Arrival Card through the Immigration Bureau’s website.
For a complete list of the required information and detailed instructions on how to fill out each section of the TDAC correctly, see our full guide here:
Thailand Digital Arrival Card: Instructions and Step-by-Step Guide
I tried using the new app, but when I attempted to create a profile, I had trouble scanning my passport, so after the third attempt I gave up.
The good thing is that the app can also be used as a guest, without creating a permanent profile. However, after seeing how it works, I decided to complete the TDAC through the website as usual. When the THIM app becomes mandatory—if it ever does—I will give it another try. For now, even though I travel to Thailand several times a year, it is not particularly useful to me.
We will return to the subject when the reduction of the visa-exemption period from 60 to 30 days is approved. If there are any new developments, I will update you from Bangkok in a few days.
Have a great holiday, fellow travelers!
