Asia rebuilt its border-control infrastructure between 2023 and 2025. Seven major countries replaced paper arrival cards with mandatory digital pre-arrival forms — each with its own portal, filing window, data fields, and exemption rules. Travelers landing in Bangkok on a Saturday and Manila on the following Monday now navigate two different digital systems, each with different deadlines.

This guide compares all seven Asian digital arrival cards side-by-side. You will learn which card applies to your trip, when to file each one, what happens if you miss the window, and how your onward ticket data slots into every submission. Every section cites official government sources and reflects 2026 enforcement reality.

The 2026 Asia Digital Arrival Card Comparison Table

A digital arrival card is an online pre-arrival declaration that replaces the paper disembarkation card historically handed out on aircraft. Each Asian country built its own system between 2020 and 2025. The matrix below covers all seven currently active in 2026.

Common thread: every Asian digital arrival card asks for your onward flight — flight number, exit airport, departure date. The card does not ask if you have a confirmed paid ticket. A flight reservation with a real PNR satisfies every system.

TDAC — Thailand Digital Arrival Card (Mandatory Since 1 May 2025)

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is an online form every foreign national must submit before arriving in Thailand by air, sea, or land. The Royal Thai Immigration Bureau launched it on 1 May 2025, replacing the paper TM6 disembarkation card after 45 years of paper-based arrival processing.

Who Must File

• All foreign nationals on tourist, business, transit, or work visas
• Visa-exempt 60-day stay countries (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, etc.)
• Visa-on-Arrival travelers and Tourist Visa (TR/METV/DTV) holders
• Land-border arrivals at Friendship Bridge, Sadao, Aranyaprathet, Mae Sai

Exemptions

• Thai citizens (passport holders)
• Airside transit passengers with onward connection under 24 hours
• Diplomatic and official passport holders on government invitation

Common Pitfalls

The form requires the exact accommodation address, not just "hotel". Travelers who write "Bangkok" or "Phuket" get flagged for secondary inspection on arrival. The onward flight section requires flight number, departure date from Thailand, and destination — a MyJet24 dummy ticket provides every field exactly.

Source: TDAC — Royal Thai Immigration Bureau. For deep enforcement detail by airport, see our Thailand onward ticket guide.

eTravel — Philippines Digital Arrival & Departure System

The eTravel system at etravel.gov.ph is the digital arrival and departure card system mandatory in the Philippines since 1 September 2023. Unlike most other Asian systems, eTravel applies to every traveler — including Filipino citizens, OFWs, Balikbayans, and dual citizens. Submission generates a unique QR code scanned at primary immigration.

Who Must File

• All foreign nationals on tourist, business, transit, or work visas
• Visa-free 30-day arrivals (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, etc.)
• Filipino citizens (departure AND arrival require separate submissions)
• Balikbayans, OFWs returning home, and dual citizens

Filing Window

72 hours before arrival OR departure. Each entry and each exit requires a fresh submission. The unique QR code generated must be saved to your phone — primary immigration scans it directly at the counter.

Common Pitfalls

Third-party "eTravel service" sites charging $5–$30 USD are scams. Official submission is and always will be free. For onward travel details, the system requires an international onward destination — intra-Philippines flights (Manila to Cebu, etc.) do not count. For complete BI enforcement detail, see our Philippines onward ticket guide.

India e-Arrival Card (Mandatory Since 1 October 2025)

The India e-Arrival Card launched on 1 October 2025, replacing the traditional paper disembarkation card handed out on aircraft for decades. The Bureau of Immigration (Ministry of Home Affairs) accepts no paper alternative at the immigration counter.

Who Must File

• All foreign nationals entering India on e-Visa, visa-on-arrival, or regular visa
• Tourist, business, medical, conference, and student visa holders
• Visitors arriving by air, sea (cruise), or designated land Integrated Check Posts

Exemptions

• Indian citizens (passport holders)
• OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders — long-term visa equivalent
• PIO (Person of Indian Origin) cardholders — legacy cards remain valid
• Nepalese and Bhutanese nationals — exempt under Treaty of Peace and Friendship

Common Pitfalls

The 72-hour filing window is strict. Filers submitting 96+ hours pre-arrival get an error and must resubmit. The form requires onward flight details — flight number, exit airport, departure date from India. Source: Indian Visa Online — Official Portal and Bureau of Immigration. For airport strictness detail, see our India onward ticket guide.

MDAC — Malaysia Digital Arrival Card

The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is mandatory for foreign nationals entering Malaysia since 1 January 2024. The Department of Immigration Malaysia operates the system at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my. The MDAC replaced the old paper IMM.26 arrival form.

Who Must File

• All foreign nationals entering Malaysia (tourist, business, transit, work)
• Visa-free 90-day stay countries (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, etc.)

Exemptions

• Malaysian citizens
• Singapore citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents
• Brunei nationals
• Diplomatic/official passport holders on government invitation

Filing Window

Up to 3 days before arrival. Filings outside this window expire. The system asks for accommodation address and intended departure airport. Standard tourists declare KL (KUL), Penang (PEN), or Langkawi (LGK) as arrival.

Source: MDAC — Department of Immigration Malaysia. For airline check-in detail, see our Malaysia onward ticket guide.

SG Arrival Card — The Asian Template (Singapore)

The SG Arrival Card at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) portal predates every other Asian digital card. Originally launched 27 March 2020, it became digital-only in 2022 and is the model every other Asian system copies. Submission generates an electronic arrival record that links directly to Singapore Immigration's database.

Who Must File

• All foreign visitors arriving in Singapore
• Visa-exempt 30/90-day arrivals (most Western nationalities)
• Cruise and ferry arrivals from Malaysia (Sebana Cove, Pengerang, Desaru)

Exemptions

• Singapore citizens (passport holders)
• Singapore Permanent Residents (PR)
• Holders of Long-Term Visit Pass, Employment Pass, Student Pass, etc. (already-issued passes)

Critical Edge Case

The SG Arrival Card requires a declared onward flight for short-stay visitors. This is one of the strictest enforcement points in Asia — Singapore Immigration cross-references the card against your boarding-pass scan. Misalignment between the card's onward date and your actual ticket triggers secondary inspection.

Source: SG Arrival Card — Singapore ICA.

"All Indonesia" Arrival Card (Customs + Health)

Indonesia split arrival processing across multiple platforms — Customs Declaration (Bea Cukai), Health Declaration (SatuSehat), and e-Visa (eVOA) — and consolidated all three into the All Indonesia system at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id in 2024. The system is mandatory for foreign tourist arrivals.

Who Must File

• All foreign nationals arriving in Indonesia by air, sea, or land
• Tourist eVOA holders and Visa-on-Arrival travelers
• Visa-exempt arrivals (limited nationalities — ASEAN nationals mainly)

Common Pitfalls

Indonesia bundles customs declaration, health declaration, and arrival card into one workflow. Travelers familiar with TDAC or MDAC sometimes only file the immigration card and skip customs — both are mandatory. The system also collects Bali Tourist Tax (IDR 150,000 / approx. USD 10) at arrival for Bali-specific bookings since 2024.

Source: All Indonesia — Imigrasi Republik Indonesia.

Vietnam — e-Visa System (No Separate Arrival Card)

Vietnam is the regional outlier: it has no separate digital arrival card. Instead, the Vietnam e-Visa system at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn doubles as the digital arrival record. Once approved (3–7 days processing), the printed e-Visa serves as both visa and arrival declaration. Vietnam expanded the e-Visa to 80+ nationalities with 90-day stay validity in August 2023, simplifying the process for most Western travelers.

How It Differs From Other Systems

• Cost: USD 25 per single-entry e-Visa (other arrival cards are free)
• Approval window: 3–7 days processing (longer than 72-hour digital cards)
• Single document: e-Visa printout serves as visa, arrival card, and entry permit
• Onward ticket: Required at application AND airline check-in

For Vietnam-specific enforcement detail, see our Vietnam onward ticket guide.

Master Decision Matrix: Which Card When?

Most travelers will face two or three of these systems on a single Asian itinerary. The matrix below maps the typical multi-country trip combinations and what to file when.

For every multi-country itinerary, your onward ticket from each country is the linchpin data. Each digital arrival card asks for it. MyJet24 generates onward tickets for every Asian destination in 30 seconds — free, no credit card.

How Your Onward Ticket Connects to Every Digital Arrival Card

The single most-asked data field across all seven systems is your onward flight information — flight number, departure date from the country, and exit destination. This is what links the digital arrival card to airline carrier liability and immigration's "intent to leave" assessment.

The fields each system asks for break down identically:

1. Flight number — your departing flight code (e.g., TG911, EK384, 5J919)
2. Departure date — must fall within your authorized stay period
3. Exit airport / destination — international destination, not domestic
4. Booking reference / PNR — some systems (TDAC, SG Arrival Card) optionally accept this

A free MyJet24 onward ticket provides every one of these fields with a real airline PNR. The same document satisfies airline check-in, immigration arrival inspection, and your digital arrival card submission.

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filing

Based on real-world traveler reports from BKK, MNL, DEL, SIN, KUL, and DPS arrivals in 2025–2026, these are the most expensive mistakes — each one routinely causes secondary inspection or denial of boarding.

1. Filing too early. Most cards have a 72-hour or 3-day window. Filing 96+ hours pre-arrival causes the system to reject the submission and you must resubmit closer to the date.
2. Filing too late. Some systems block submissions less than 6 hours before arrival. File when you're confirmed on the flight but still 24–48 hours out.
3. Wrong accommodation address. "Hotel in Bangkok" or "Airbnb in Bali" triggers secondary inspection. Use the full street address and hotel name.
4. Wrong onward flight. An intra-country flight (Manila → Cebu, Bangkok → Phuket) does not satisfy onward travel for foreigners — every system requires an international destination.
5. Missing QR code at immigration. Save the confirmation QR code to your phone. Don't rely on the email — airport WiFi may not work, and a non-functional inbox at immigration is unproductive.
6. Paying a third-party service. Every official portal is free. "$5 fast-track filing" sites are scams. The official portal is always the cheapest path.
7. Filing once for a multi-country trip. Each country needs its own card. The TDAC does not satisfy Singapore. eTravel does not satisfy India. Plan filings for every entry.

Pro Tip: Generate Your Onward Ticket Before Filing the Arrival Card

Time-saving sequence: (1) Generate your onward ticket on MyJet24 — 30 seconds. (2) Copy the flight number, date, and exit airport. (3) File the digital arrival card with the exact data from your dummy ticket. Total time: under 5 minutes per country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Asian digital arrival cards mandatory or optional?

Mandatory in all seven countries discussed. Thailand (TDAC since 1 May 2025), Philippines (eTravel since 1 September 2023), India (e-Arrival Card since 1 October 2025), Malaysia (MDAC since 1 January 2024), Singapore (SG Arrival Card since 2020), Indonesia (All Indonesia since 2024) all require digital submission with no paper alternative. Foreign nationals without a valid digital arrival card submission face secondary inspection at primary immigration.

Do I need an onward ticket to file a digital arrival card?

Yes — every system asks for onward flight information including flight number, departure date from the country, and exit destination. A flight reservation (dummy ticket) with a real PNR satisfies the requirement. You do not need a confirmed paid ticket. A free MyJet24 onward ticket provides every required data field.

Can I file the digital arrival card for someone else?

Yes. Family members (parents for children, spouses, etc.) routinely file on each other's behalf. The submitter just needs the traveler's passport number, full name, date of birth, flight details, and accommodation address. Most systems allow group submissions of 4–6 travelers in one session.

What happens if I forget to file the digital arrival card?

You will be redirected to a kiosk at the airport to file before being allowed to enter the country. This adds 15–30 minutes to your immigration wait. Some Asian airports (Singapore Changi, Bangkok BKK, Manila NAIA T3) have dedicated kiosks; others require manual filing at a service desk. Filing on arrival is allowed but inconvenient.

Are paid "digital arrival card filing services" worth it?

No. Every official portal is free, and filing yourself takes 5–10 minutes. Third-party sites charging $5–$30 USD are scams — they fill out the same free form and pocket the fee. Always use the official government portal listed in each section above.

Do OCI cardholders need to file the India e-Arrival Card?

No. OCI cardholders, PIO cardholders, Indian citizens, and Nepal/Bhutan nationals (under the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship) are exempt from the India e-Arrival Card requirement. They proceed directly to immigration without any digital pre-filing.

Do Singapore PR holders need the SG Arrival Card?

No. Singapore citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents, and holders of Long-Term Visit Pass, Employment Pass, Student Pass, and similar already-issued passes are exempt from the SG Arrival Card. The card applies only to short-stay visitors.

How early can I file the digital arrival card?

Most systems open the filing window 72 hours (3 days) before arrival. TDAC and India e-Arrival Card both use 72 hours. MDAC and SG Arrival Card use 3 days. eTravel Philippines allows 72 hours before arrival or departure. Filing earlier than the window causes rejection; you must resubmit within the allowed period.

Is the digital arrival card the same as a visa?

No. A digital arrival card is a pre-arrival declaration — it does not authorize entry. A visa (or visa-exemption status) authorizes you to enter the country. The digital card simply digitizes the old paper disembarkation card that historically accompanied your passport. You need both: a valid visa (or visa-exempt nationality), and a filed digital arrival card.

Can I file the digital arrival card on the plane?

Only if the aircraft has working WiFi during the flight and you have not yet missed the filing window. Most travelers file from the hotel or transit airport before boarding the final leg. Don't rely on in-flight WiFi — many airlines have intermittent or no signal during cruise. File before departure to your final Asian destination.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Asia's digital arrival card revolution is permanent. Every major Asian destination — Thailand, Philippines, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam — now requires online pre-arrival filing. The systems differ in filing windows, exemption rules, and data fields, but they share a common requirement: your onward flight details.

Generate your free dummy onward ticket on MyJet24 — 30 seconds, no credit card, no registration. The PDF includes a real airline PNR, accepted at every Asian digital arrival card submission and at airline check-in counters worldwide. Generate one ticket per country in your itinerary, copy the flight number and exit date into each arrival card filing, and your pre-arrival paperwork is complete.

Helpful next reads:

• Can Airlines Deny Boarding Without Proof of Onward Travel? — carrier liability mechanics
• How Long Is a Dummy Ticket Valid? — PNR expiry timing strategy
• Proof of Onward Travel Thailand 2026 — BKK/DMK/HKT-specific enforcement
• India Onward Ticket Page — e-Arrival Card + 14-nationality matrix
• Thailand Onward Ticket Page — TDAC + 9-airport strictness matrix
• Philippines Onward Ticket Page — eTravel + Cebu Pacific (5J) enforcement

Last updated: May 13, 2026 — reflects TDAC enforcement after 12 months, India e-Arrival Card 6-month review, and all Asian portal updates through Q2 2026.