Thailand’s New Digital Arrival Card 2025: A Must-Know for B2B Travel Professionals

As of May 1, 2025, Thailand has launched its Digital Arrival Card, a major immigration reform aimed at enhancing entry screening, speeding up airport processing, and reducing manual paperwork. At the same time, Thai authorities are reviewing the visa-free entry program for select countries due to increasing abuse by travellers overstaying or working illegally.

For B2B travel professionals, these changes signal a pivotal moment to upgrade client advisory and support services—especially for travellers heading to one of India’s favourite short-haul destinations.

🌏 Thailand’s Current Visa-Free Program: A Quick Recap

Thailand currently offers visa-free entry to citizens of 93 countries, including India, for short-term tourism and business travel.

Key Details:

• Duration: 60-day stay, extendable by 30 days

• No pre-approval required for eligible nationalities

• Common users: backpackers, wellness tourists, digital nomads, family vacationers

However, this open access has also created unintended loopholes, now under review.

⚠️ Rising Concerns: Visa Abuse, Overstays & Illegal Work

Thailand’s Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Tourism ministries have launched a joint review of the visa-free policy after mounting evidence of misuse.

📉 Common Issues Reported:

• Tourists overstaying visa-free periods

• Foreigners running unauthorised tour operations, hostels, or restaurants

• Repeat entries to bypass long-term visa requirements

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has made it clear that reforms are coming, and stricter enforcement is expected by mid-2025.

🆕 Thailand’s Digital Arrival Card: What Travel Agents Should Know

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card, mandatory from May 1, 2025, replaces the paper TM6 form. It must be filled out online before boarding, either through the Thai immigration portal or mobile app.

🔑 Features:

• Linked to the traveller’s passport and visa records

• Faster immigration at airports

• Pre-validation of visitor purpose, contact, and itinerary

• Compatible with future e-Visa systems

For B2B travel consultants, pre-filling or assisting clients with this card is now a valuable service, especially for first-time travellers or tech-inexperienced groups.

🧭 How B2B Travel Agents Can Prepare & Protect Clients

With immigration tightening and digital processes in place, B2B agents must become compliance partners, not just booking agents.

🧾 Key Services to Offer:

• Pre-screening Travel Intent

  • Flag clients with potential long stays or unclear itineraries

  • Advise on stricter enforcement of work prohibitions
    

• Duration & Entry Alerts

  • Set reminders for 60-day and 30-day extension timelines

  • Educate on the risks of re-entry misuse or suspicious activity tagging

• Digital Arrival Card Filing Support

  • Create how-to guides, offer PDF checklists, or form-filling as part of the travel package
    

• Itinerary and Accommodation Compliance

  • Match booking dates with card entries

  • Include return tickets and confirmed hotels for smooth border approval.