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Thailand’s new THIM app aims to simplify immigration, but it doesn’t replace the TDAC and is still in its pilot phase. Here’s what it does, what’s coming in Phase 2, and whether you should download it now.
The Thailand Immigration just launched a new application called THIM. Within days of the announcement, the same question was flooding every expat group and forum: does this mean I no longer need to do the TDAC? The answer is no.
But the longer version of that answer is worth reading, because THIM is an interesting development and it does change what immigration in Thailand could look like in the next year or two (if it actually works as intended).
Here is what THIM actually is, what it does not replace, and what you as a frequent visitor or long-term resident should realistically expect from it right now.
Key Takeaways
- THIM does not replace the TDAC; completing the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before every entry is still mandatory.
- Your passport details are stored after the first setup, so future arrivals only require updating a few trip-specific details.
- As of June 2026, the app is still in its pilot phase and is not functioning reliably for most users.
- Phase 2, planned for October 2026, should add 90-day reporting, online queue booking, and visa extension features.
- If the 90-day reporting feature works, it would remove the need to visit immigration in person or use the existing online portal.
- Frequent visitors gain the most from setting up a profile early; first-time or infrequent travelers do not need the app yet.
- All current immigration obligations remain in force until Phase 2 officially launches and proves reliable.
- Thailand has a track record of digital immigration launches arriving ahead of full functionality, so manage expectations accordingly.
What Is THIM?
THIM stands for Thailand Immigration Management System. It is a mobile application developed by Thailand’s Immigration Bureau in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Digital Identity Co., and it launched in a pilot phase in May 2026. The full rollout is planned for October 1, 2026.
What Does the THIM Do?
Immigration officials have described THIM as a potential “super app” for foreigners in Thailand. It aims to be a single platform that eventually handles everything from arrival registration to visa extensions to 90-day reporting. Based on the information, here’s what the app can do:
- Fill out TDAC directly within the app
- Do a 90-day report
- Visa extension
- Booking a queue at an immigration office
How the App Actually Works
The core idea behind THIM is practical.
Here is how the setup works:
- You create a traveler profile on first use
- You complete an eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) process, which scans and verifies your passport details
- That information is saved to your profile
- On subsequent trips, you only need to update the trip-specific details: flight number, arrival date, departure date, accommodation address
The Immigration Bureau says first-time users should be able to complete the identity verification process in around two to three minutes. For return visitors whose profile already exists, it drops to under one minute. The target at the immigration counter itself is under 40 seconds per person.
One genuinely useful feature is group and family submissions. One person can submit arrival information for multiple travelers in a single session. If you are arriving with a partner, children, or a travel group, that removes a fair amount of repetitive form-filling.
Good to know: On the technical side, the system runs on AWS cloud infrastructure under what officials describe as a “Sovereign by Design” framework, meaning the data is stored and processed in Thailand under Thai law. For people who have concerns about where their passport information ends up, that is at least a relevant data point.
Does the THIM Replace TDAC?
THIM does not replace the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, known as the TDAC. The TDAC is still mandatory for every foreign national entering Thailand, regardless of visa type or nationality. Downloading THIM does not exempt you from completing a TDAC before your arrival.
This means, if you come to Thailand, you still need to do the TDAC. But the THIM is just another way you can do it.
To put it simply:
- Once the THIM works, you can do the TDAC officially within the app. It’s another option for those who come to Thailand regularly, so you won’t need to fill out repeated information over again.
- You can still do the TDAC via the official portal.
Good to know: while you can file the TDAC easily directly within the app now, it doesn’t work yet as reported by communities. Early App Store reviews confirm this, with several users reporting the app freezes on a loading spinner and never progresses past the launch screen; as of early June 2026, it holds a 2.3 out of 5 rating.
Read more:
- Thailand Visa Guide: All Your Options Explained
- Thailand Re-Entry Permit: What It Is and When You Need One
What THIM Means for Long-Term Expats
For long-term residents, the more interesting part of THIM is what it is supposed to become in Phase 2, expected around October 2026. The planned additions include:
- Online queue reservations at immigration offices (no more showing up at 7am to grab a ticket)
- Visa extension applications through the existing e-Extension system
- Digital document requests
- 90-day residence reporting directly through the app
If the 90-day reporting feature actually launches and works reliably, that alone would be worth celebrating. The current process — showing up in person or navigating the online reporting system, is one of the more tedious recurring obligations of long-term life in Thailand. Moving it into a stable mobile app would be a quality-of-life improvement.
The key word is “if.” THIM is still in its pilot phase as of this writing. The Immigration Bureau has announced these features, but announced and delivered are two different things in the Thai bureaucratic timeline. I have been here long enough to know that enthusiasm for digital modernization often arrives ahead of the actual system.
For example, when Thailand released the online portal for the 90-day notification many years ago, it didn’t work at all except through the Internet Explorer browser, which was already outdated at that time.
Anyway, until Phase 2 officially launches, all existing requirements remain exactly as they were:
- Complete your TDAC before every entry
- Continue 90-day reporting through existing channels when it is due
- Apply for visas and extensions through the standard process
- Maintain valid TM30 notifications if your accommodation requires it
And after the Phase 2 launch, keep fingers crossed to make sure it works as intended.
Read more:
- Thailand Retirement Visa: Requirements, Costs, and the Balance Rule Explained
- Thailand Work Permit Guide
Should You Download THIM Now?
There’s no need to download it as of now (June 8, 2026). The app doesn’t work.
But if it works, it’s a good option for these groups:
- If you visit Thailand more than once a year, setting up a THIM profile is a reasonable use of ten minutes. The one-time eKYC setup means future trips will be faster, and if Phase 2 features roll out on schedule in October 2026, you will already be in the system when 90-day reporting and queue booking become available.
- If you are a first-time visitor or infrequent traveler, THIM is optional for now. Your actual obligation remains completing the TDAC at tdac.immigration.go.th before your flight. Do that first. THIM is a secondary layer.
- For long-term expats managing annual visa renewals, 90-day reporting, and the general administrative overhead of staying legally in Thailand, keep an eye on THIM’s October rollout. If the 90-day reporting feature delivers, it will be worth integrating into your routine. If it does not, the existing systems will still work as they always have.
THIM is a positive development. But the right posture right now is interested but unsurprised if the October rollout slips or the Phase 2 features take longer to arrive than planned.
If you want to test it, download it now on both the App Store and Google Play. At launch it supports English, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese, with plans to expand to 15 languages before the October rollout.
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