BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand is developing a new app that could become as essential for foreigners as a bank account: the THIM – Thailand Immigration Management System. Anyone viewing this as merely an enhanced entry form has not grasped its full scope. The immigration authorities plan to consolidate all official procedures for non-Thai nationals within this app, from arrival notifications to visa extensions, and from the 90-day report to residency certificates.
THIM has been in pilot operation since May 2026. Its current capabilities are limited, but its planned functions from October 2026 onwards are highly relevant for expatriates and long-term residents from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This provides an overview of its current status and future intentions.
The Idea Behind It: One App for Everything
The immigration authority openly describes THIM as an intended “super app” for all foreigners in Thailand, covering tourists and long-term residents alike. The goal is to centralize all processes, which currently require either in-person visits to immigration offices or navigation of various web portals, into a single application. Visa extensions, appointment bookings, status updates, and electronic certificates will all be accessible through one interface.
This ambition reflects the scale of the undertaking. Thailand has already demonstrated a strong push for digital systems with the TDAC web portal, which has processed over ten million arrivals since May 2025. THIM represents the next, more extensive step in this direction. However, whether the timeline will be met remains a question.
What the App Can Do Today
During its current pilot phase, THIM’s primary function is the arrival notification. Once a user creates a profile by scanning passport data and completing e-KYC verification, subsequent arrivals only require updating flight numbers and travel dates. The immigration authority states this takes under a minute, compared to approximately three minutes for the initial setup. No QR code needs to be presented, as data synchronizes directly with the immigration system, visible to officers upon passport scan.
This addresses a specific issue left by the TDAC web portal, where users had to re-enter twenty fields for each visit, wait for a QR code via email, and save a screenshot. THIM permanently stores the profile. For frequent travelers entering multiple times a year, this already offers a significant relief. The app is available for free in both app stores, listed under the provider name “Royal Thai Police.”
What is Planned from October 2026
With the official full launch on October 1, 2026, following the current pilot period, Phase 2 will introduce functions crucial for long-term residents. Specifically planned is direct submission of the 90-day report through the app. Those residing in Thailand are familiar with the effort involved, either appearing in person or using the online immigration system which can be unreliable. Section 38 of the Immigration Act mandates the reporting obligation, but the process is slated to become much simpler.
Also announced for Phase 2 are online appointment booking for immigration offices and the pre-submission of documents for extension applications, along with electronic status inquiries. The aim is to allow individuals who currently queue at seven in the morning for a number to manage these tasks from their mobile phones. However, announcements and actual implementation in Thailand can differ significantly, a point to keep in mind.
Visa Extensions and Certificates – The Next Level
The immigration authority’s long-term vision extends far beyond appointment booking and reporting. Plans include direct visa extension applications through the app, complete with document uploads and status tracking, as well as electronic applications for certificates like the Certificate of Stay and processed status change requests. Currently, all these procedures require foreigners to appear in person at the relevant immigration office, often involving lengthy waits.
Specific dates for these advanced functions have not yet been provided by the authority. However, the direction is clear: THIM is intended to become the single digital point of contact for foreigners’ official dealings in Thailand. This would be a considerable relief for retirees who need regular extensions or for anyone requiring certificates for banking or official matters in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Automated Entry Gates for Long-Term Visas
Concurrently, the authority is planning automated entry gates for holders of specific long-term visas, with BOI investors and diplomatic passport holders mentioned as the first groups. Facial recognition will compare a live photo with biometric data stored in the passport chip. Individuals who travel frequently and possess a current biometric travel document may be able to bypass traditional counters entirely.
This will also have an effect on others: those using automated gates will no longer add to the load on regular counters. This means shorter queues for everyone who does not have access to the automated gates. However, this relies on the technology’s stability during peak visitor numbers at Thai airports during high season.
Four Languages, No German
Currently, THIM operates in English, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese. German is not yet included, and there is no official timeline for its introduction. The authority has pledged to add at least 15 more languages by the full launch on October 1, 2026. Until then, basic English will suffice, as fields for passport number, flight number, and accommodation are largely self-explanatory.
Those who perceive language as a barrier can complete input at home before travel stress begins. Anyone who has previously filled out an online check-in will find THIM intuitive. For more complex functions, such as extension applications and certificate requests, a German interface will become significantly more important. Whether it will be available by then remains to be seen.
Beware of Third-Party Websites
The official app is free for registration, arrival notifications, and all current functions. Unofficial websites are already operating online, charging fees for these very services. If you receive an invoice for filling out an entry form, you have landed on such a site. The official version is identifiable in the app store by the developer name “Royal Thai Police” – this is the sole reliable indicator.
Visa consultants and agencies are legitimately permitted to charge fees, but for actual consultation services, not for inputting passport numbers and flight details. Those seeking assistance with more complex procedures like extension applications can find qualified support from accredited consultants. Such assistance is not necessary for the basic use of THIM.
Before October 2026: What Applies Now
Anyone entering Thailand before October 2026 must continue to complete the TDAC via tdac.immigration.go.th, no earlier than 72 hours before arrival, free of charge and mandatory. THIM can be used additionally. Creating a profile now will provide the advantage of having everything pre-stored by the time of the full launch. The biometric travel document must be intact, as THIM reads the chip within the passport.
The legal basis remains unchanged: the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 requires all non-Thai nationals to provide complete and accurate data upon entry. The app is the tool; the obligation persists. What will change is the effort involved. And from October 2026, with the introduction of expat-focused functions, potentially the fundamental relationship with immigration offices.