Thailand to ease immigration service with new digital app

Developed through a partnership between Amazon Web Services (AWS), Digital Identity Co Ltd, and the Thai Immigration Bureau, the Thailand Immigration Management System (THIM) will become the country’s first fully integrated web and mobile immigration platform.

The THIM app is scheduled to officially launch on October 1 and aims to streamline processes for the over 30 million international visitors Thailand welcomes annually.

Thai immigration officials envision THIM evolving into a “super app” for foreigners, helping reduce paperwork for expatriates, long-stay travellers, and business visitors while supporting future automated airport clearance systems.

Thailand immigration already introduced the web-based Thailand Digital Arrival Card, which processed more than 10 million travellers. However, repeat visitors often complained about having to complete the same 20 data fields for every trip.

Under the new THIM system, travellers create a profile once and only need to update limited information for future visits, such as flight details and departure dates. Officials estimate the process will reduce arrival form completion time to around three minutes.

The app is already available for pilot downloads and uses an electronic know-your-customer (e-KYC) verification process that matches user information with passport data.

Travelers will no longer need to present QR codes at immigration checkpoints. Instead, immigration officers will access the traveller’s submitted information directly when scanning passports.

Initially, THIM supports English, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese, with plans to expand to 15 languages.

The Immigration Bureau also plans to broaden the platform’s functionality to include appointment scheduling, electronic visa extensions, online document submissions, immigration status changes, and digital certification services.

For expatriates and long-stay visa holders, THIM could eventually support mandatory 90-day reporting and electronic document requests, reducing the need for in-person visits to immigration offices. Officials are also exploring automated airport processing using facial recognition technology linked to passport chip data.

Authorities say they also plan to collaborate with private-sector partners to offer tourist perks, exclusive promotions, and benefits through the app.

According to Amazon Web Services local management, all personal data collected through THIM will remain stored in Thailand under Thai legal jurisdiction through its “sovereignty by design” framework.