UAE residents planning to visit Thailand now have a Thailand visa update and some added security concerns to take note of.
The Royal Thai Embassy has issued updated guidance on the Digital Travel Arrival Card (TDAC), required for foreign nationals entering Thailand. This comes in the wake of multiple foreign embassies, including the UK and US, advising caution over security risks near the Thailand–Cambodia border.
Introduced on May 1 in lieu of the physical arrival card, the TDAC is a mandatory online pre-arrival form. You can check out the step-by-step instructions, updated process and the TDAC form on the Thai Immigration Bureau’s official portal.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of your next Thailand visit:
- Must be completed within 72 hours before arrival in Thailand
- Required for all travellers, including visa-exempt nationals
- Can be submitted individually or in groups (families/businesses)
- An electronic confirmation slip must be shown upon arrival
While the Thai government has not formally issued a domestic advisory, travellers ought to be cautious of landmines, armed clashes, and unresolved military disputes.
Apart from this Thailand visa update, travellers are advised to stay alert in urban areas, including Bangkok, Phuket, and other popular destinations, due to an ongoing risk of terrorism.
Thailand Visa Update for UAE Travellers Heading to Thailand
- Submit your TDAC form online before flying
- Prepare to show digital confirmation at Thai immigration
- Reconsider trips to the Thai-Cambodia border region
- Stay vigilant in crowded areas due to terrorism risks
- Monitor embassy alerts regularly during your stay
And if you’re flying via Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport, here are some of the airport lounges you can check out ahead of your flight. Safe travels!