This guide is information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules change, so confirm on the official government site before you travel.
Travelling from Pakistan to Thailand involves two separate steps that people often mix up: a visa, and the Thailand Digital Arrival Card. Many general guides skip the visa step because most tourists they write for do not need one. If you hold a Pakistani passport, read this in order.
Two steps, two different websites
- The visa. Pakistani passport holders should plan on needing a Thai visa. The Royal Thai Embassy in Islamabad says Thai visa applications are made online at the Thai e-Visa system, thaievisa.go.th, with no need to visit in person and no need for an agent.
- The TDAC. After you have your visa and bookings, submit the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival, counting the arrival day. Every traveller needs one, including infants and children.
The TDAC is not a visa and a visa is not a TDAC. Having one never replaces the other.
Applying for the Thai e-visa from Pakistan
The embassy's FAQ for Pakistan describes the main points:
- Create an account on the official e-visa site. One account can hold your application and those of family members, up to 10 at a time.
- Applicants in Pakistan must upload proof of their current location, such as a rental agreement or utility bill. Applications without valid proof are rejected.
- Do not upload fake documents. The embassy flags this as an important warning.
- If anyone asks for extra money or offers illegal visa services, the embassy asks you to report it to the consular section at consular.isb.go.th.
A third-party site reports roughly 14 working days of processing at Islamabad. Treat that as a guide only and apply well before you book non-refundable tickets.
Why you will see conflicting answers online
While checking sources we found travel sites saying Pakistani passports can enter Thailand visa-free, and others calling the TDAC optional. Both claims conflict with the embassy's e-visa FAQ and with the official TDAC site, which states the card is required for all non-Thai nationals and free. When a site shows no date, no official link and no sources, do not rely on it.
What to carry at the airport
- Passport valid for your whole stay (many countries ask for at least 6 months; confirm for Thailand).
- Your approved e-visa, saved on the phone and printed.
- The TDAC confirmation or QR code, saved as a screenshot.
- Return or onward ticket, and your first hotel address.
- Evidence of funds, in case you are asked. Check the embassy page for the current amount.
If you are worried about being stopped before boarding in Pakistan, read our guide on being offloaded at the airport. For a transit-only trip through Thailand, sources disagree on whether a visa is needed, so ask your airline and the embassy in writing.
Questions and answers
Do Pakistani citizens need a visa for Thailand?
Plan on yes. The Royal Thai Embassy in Islamabad directs Pakistan-based applicants to the Thai e-Visa system. Confirm your case on the official site before you book.
Do I still need the TDAC if I have a visa?
Yes. The TDAC is required for all non-Thai nationals entering Thailand, and it is separate from your visa.
Is the TDAC free for Pakistani travellers?
Yes. The official TDAC site states there are no fees. The visa has its own fee, set by the embassy.
When should I submit the TDAC?
Within 3 days before arrival, counting the arrival day. Do the visa first, since it takes longer.
Where do I report an agent who asks for extra money?
The Royal Thai Embassy in Islamabad asks people to report illegal visa services or requests for extra money to its consular section.
More answers on this topic
- Thailand Arrival Card (TDAC): Official Link & Entry Rules
- Made a Mistake on Your TDAC? How to Edit It
- Forgot to Fill the TDAC Before Your Flight? What To Do
- TDAC for Family or Group: One Form or Separate Forms?
- Arrival Card Scam Websites: How to Spot the Fake Ones
- Arrival Card vs Visa: What Is the Difference?
- Offloaded at a Pakistan airport: rights and complaint steps
- All travel questions
Sources
Facts were read in these sources on 2026-11-01. Where a source is a news report or travel guide and not the official site, we say "reported". Always confirm on the official portal.Published Nov 1, 2026 · Updated Nov 1, 2026 · How we check facts