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A Quick-Fire Guide to the TM30 Form: Reporting Your Stay

The TM30 form is an immigration requirement. The law governing this form aims to ensure transparency in the accommodation details of foreigners staying in Thailand.

It must be completed by the landlord of a property to report the stay of guests within 24 hours of their arrival.

You won't need to worry about this requirement if you are simply coming on holiday to stay in a hotel. Generally this is only relevant to the following people:

  • Those staying with a Thai friend
  • Those staying in any type of unlicensed (as a hotel) property
  • Those who own a home in Thailand (and reside there)
  • Those who co-own a home in Thailand (and reside there)

Why Does the TM30 Form Exist?

The form is designed to report non-Thai nationals staying in the country, be it a short-term or long-term residence.

The rules apply to any Thai national housing a foreign national in the Kingdom, but also applies to a foreigner who owns or co-owns a home in Thailand – even if they are the sole occupant.

If you stay in a condo or apartment block, the owner is required to register you.

The TM30 aims to provide effective monitoring, so foreign criminals are less likely to choose Thailand as a place to hide out. The TM30 takes immigration tracking beyond the airport or land border and to the residence of each individual.

The form is also used as a means of providing information on tourism. The number of foreigners staying in the country is tracked, as well as the most popular locations picked by foreign travelers.

The data collected can also be used to identify foreigners who work illegally in the country, as well as those who have overstayed their visas.

While some might feel the rule is an invasion of privacy, it is there to protect the country – despite its lack of proper enforcement over the years.

TM30 Law & Application

The law governing the TM30 form was introduced a long time ago alongside the Hotel Act of 2005, but has since expanded beyond hotels to cover landlords owning properties or units that are not classified as hotels.

This was necessary to include condo rentals and other unlicensed businesses that put up guests, such as those found on the likes of AirBnB. It also covers Thai individuals and families who host foreign nationals.

To reiterate: anyone who offers accommodation needs to comply with the law by reporting any foreign national staying on the property. The report must be completed not only by hotels and serviced apartments but also by landlords of private properties.

It is the landlord’s responsibility to submit the TM30, but if the landlord doesn't then the guest should raise the issue, as it is a legal requirement.

In 10 years I've never been asked for a TM30, but since stories of fines started popping up a couple of years ago, I now ensure that wherever I am stay the owner has reported my residence – except for hotels, of course.

The reason I do this is because I don't want a fine when they see my lack of registration on the computer during a visa renewal.

tm30-form-thailand

This is the TM30 form. You can fill one out at immigration or report online.

Who Needs to Be Registered?

If you're staying in a hotel or other business licensed to receive guests then that business will report your stay for you. Indeed, tourists won't even know this reporting has happened.

However, if you are on a long-stay visa and plan on extending (a retirement extension, for example), immigration requires you to have submitted a TM30 within 24 hours of arrival, whether on your behalf by a landlord or yourself as a property owner. So do make sure it is done.

The TM30 is divided into two separate forms. The second form allows the landlord to register multiple people. So if you are staying as part of a group at non-licensed accommodation, your landlord can report you all on the same form.

Some of you might wonder: should I still report myself if I have a yellow house book (tabien baan) or co-own the property I’ll be staying in?

The answer is yes. Even if you own or co-own the house, you must complete the form within 24 hours of arriving at the property – be it online or at immigration.

If you are staying in a friend’s house, your friend still needs to submit the TM30 form. The same applies to any foreigner who is married to a Thai and carries a Thai visa.

Short Stays Away from Home

You might be wondering whether you need to report your residence every time you leave home for a short break and return just a few days later.

This depends on whether or not you return within the period of stay specified on the last TM30 you submitted.

If you return within the period specified on the TM30 then you don't need to submit a new one. If you return after the period specific on the TM30 then you do need to submit a new form.

So if you go to stay with a friend for a few days, you won't need to report when you return home, if, for example, your most recent TM30 specifies that you will be staying in your home property for a further 3 months.

The same rule applies to your landlord, if you are staying in a rented property.

In this instance, your friend is still required to report your stay, as a hotel would. This is because, in accordance with Section 37 (2) of the Thailand Immigration Act of 1979, your latest place of residence must be reported and logged in the immigration database.

Whether or not people actually comply with this rule is a separate issue, and let's face it, most people don't.

Remember, you don't need to worry about reporting if you go to stay at a hotel or guest house because they take care of this for you.

TM30 Requirements

To report your stay, you'll need the following:

  • Copy of your passport’s photo page
  • Copy of your passport visa page
  • Copy of your departure card

The landlord will need:

  • Copy of his/her title deed
  • Copy of the rental contract

Remember: Each time you visit Thailand a TM30 needs to be filed, because your arrival number will change.

Also note that the TM30 is not the same as 90-day reporting. However, you may be fined if you go to file your 90-day report and a TM30 hasn't been filed since your arrival.

Online Registration

The good news is that neither you (the home owner) or your landlord need to fill out a form or go down to an immigration office. You can report online, when it works, that is!

Most hotels and registered businesses use TM30 online reporting.

Online registration is available here.

You need to first request a username and password, and then log on to register.

What Happens If I Fail to Register?

Whether Thai or foreign landlord living in Thailand, make sure to register new guests within 24 hours.

Even if a guest leaves and then returns a month later, you need to report this again.

The fine for not reporting is 1,600 Baht per person.

As a tenant or guest, you should ask your landlord if you have already been reported. If your landlord is not willing to report you, then you can try moving to another place or you can report yourself on his/her behalf. That being said, to report yourself you need the aforementioned documents from your landlord.

There are cases when long-term tenants find out that they haven’t been reported by their landlords, and these issues often arise at the Immigration department either for a 90-day check-in or visa renewal.

If you’re a foreigner who has been staying in a property for a couple of days, you might want to befriend your landlord and enquire as to whether you have been reported.

TM30 Rules – Q&A Summary

Do I need to register if:

A. I am staying in a hotel?

No. The hotel will do it.

B. I am staying with a friend/ partner?

No you don't, but the person you are staying with needs to register.

C. More than one person is staying at my property?

Yes.

D. I am living in my own home?

Yes.

E. I am a co-owner of a home?

Yes.

F. I left my primary residence and went on holiday in Thailand, then came back again to my primary residence?

It depends if you return to your primary residence within the period of stay specified on the last TM30 you submitted.

If you are staying with a Thai national and the person isn't sure what to do, they can read this TM30 guide in Thai.

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Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

  1. Robin says

    I am English with a Thai wife, living in Pak Chong. Only just became aware of the TM30. been here on/off for many years, now retired to one address. we will start to rent out a hose to an Italian and you mention a rental contract, I have no experience of such where/how does one obtain such a contract? My tenant is willing to sign such a document.
    Reply

    • Max says

      If the house is in your wife's name, you don't need a contract. She needs to report the tenant if staying in your/her house,not the other way around. She can register online using copies of her house book (tabien baan) and Thai ID-card and report the Italian guy as a guest using info from his passport/departure card. Then take a screenshot of the approved TM30-report,send the screenshot to the Italian guy and he prints it out to show immigration if needed. You, as a foreigner also have to be reported the same way.
      Reply

  2. Victoria says

    Hello there
    Looking to register guest in a villa.
    TM30 APP does not seem to be working and online web access not working either. Immigration are saying they are not accepting paperwork. Any advice?Many thanks Victoria
    Reply

  3. Ludwig says

    Greetings,

    My question is: Should I still ask the landlord to report TM30 every time if I return to my primary address in Bangkok from travellings within Thailand, since the TM 30 regulation was eased last year?

    The link:
    https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1941048/tm30-reporting-rule-on-foreigners-eased

    It seems that, if your multiple-entry visa or your re-entry permit is not expired, you do not have to undergo another TM 30 report process if you travel to other provinces in Thailand or even you leave Thailand for a short period. Would you also please verify it and provide more details about it? Does the Immigration Office still hold the old regulation in execution even if the regulation is eased? Thanks in advance.

    Kind Regards,
    Reply

    • Max says

      TM30 regulations were actually officially eased 2019. No, you don't need to submit a new TM30 report as long as you come back to your last reported address. When you do the next 90-days report, you're back on track again. This applies to both domestic and international travel. What rules immigration offices out in the sticks goes by, is another question. It won't do any harm if you still have your old TM30 receipt in your passport.
      Reply

  4. Jay Bee says

    Hi Peter,

    As the immigrarion office in my province is in another city (approx 1+ hour from my home) I choose to have my 1 year non immigrant visa extended using the services of a visa agent in another province. While I remained at home my passport was sent via Thai Post EMS to ChonBuri as Thailand was in lock down with travel restricted this past August.

    Upon return I observed that the visa extension stamp say ChonBuri rather than my home province. As I did not change residence (for even 1 night) will I be ok come my 90 day check in OR will a TM30 filing be required?

    It seems silly to pretend that any change of residence occurred which of course would be a failed statement. Thanks for your opinion Peter.

    Cheers,
    JB
    Reply

    • Max says

      Maybe your agent didn't have any connections at the local immigration office in your home province. You should have asked first. 1 hour away from the immigration office and you went for an agent?? If the immigration officer in your office is observant when you're doing the 90 days report, he might ask why you extended your permission of stay in another province and ask you where you're actually staying. (The officer in my local immigration office always checks the extension stamp.) Now you can't apply for next 1 year extension at your local immigration office unless you officially "move back" to your address in your province, and you can't tell immigration you used an agent just because you didn't want to do it yourself.
      Reply

  5. Jade says

    I will be in Thailand in September and will be out of quarantine in early October. I am planning to stay in an Airbnb on my first month there which I look for a place to stay long-term. I have been asking hosts if they can register me for the TM30 but, all of them are saying they can't. Do I have any options? I am planning to just register myself but if I need some documents from them, they might make things difficult for me. Thanks!
    Reply

    • Max says

      Where in Thailand will you stay? It's better to mention that from the start because the rules are not same everywhere in Thailand. It's possible to self-report but not at every immigration office. Don't listen to people telling you to do it online. The TM30 report online is not for guests or tenants. It's for guesthouses,hotels,owners or landlords. If the people you've asked refuses to report you as a guest/tenant you have only two options, find a place that does or self-report,but you have to say where you will stay.
      Reply

    • KIAN HU ONG says

      Hi Jade,
      I have a nice room ( 25sqm studio ) for rent with affordable rate for short and long term ( walking distance to BTS On Nut ). You may add my LINE ID:0122108553 if wish to view the room, I can arrange my agent to contact you as she will handle your case for me. No issue to register TM 30 after the tenancy term is finalised/move in.
      Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      If you are staying on a tourist visa and do not intend to extend it or have any interaction with immigration then don't worry about it.... on the other hand you have 2 choices. 1. Stay in a proper hotel that will do the TM30. Plenty available now at dirt cheap prices.....2. Take your chances that immigration will not query a lack of TM30 record early on in your stay (assuming the longer term accomodation does the TM30) but expect to pay a fine if they do query it..... maybe 2000 baht.
      Reply

      • Max says

        Mike, I asked where she will stay, meaning what province or city because of differences in rules regarding the TM30 between provinces. You and many others don't seem to understand how easy it is to self-report the TM30 if staying in one of the provinces allowing it, and it's free. (If staying in for example Hua-Hin you're not allowed to self-report. If you can't persuade the landlord or owner to do it, then you have a problem.) It took me 4-5 minutes the last time I did it at Jomtien immigration when I changed condo. Just a few copies of this and that. Wait for her to say where she will stay.
        Reply

        • Mike Baker says

          Max you are somewhat arrogant in assuming I saw your answer before my reply was submitted, just because your reply is top of the list. I did not and in fact submitted my reply before any replies had been posted. Me and many others don't take kindly to your inference we are ignorant. Stick to explaining your experiences and refrain from commenting on others unless they are factually incorrect and don't tell me what to do.
          Reply

    • KIAN HU ONG says

      Oh ya, by the way you have not mentioned which area in Thailand, if it is in Bangkok then I can help since my current tenant is moving out next month and I did the TM30 registration for her too previously.

      Cheers
      Reply

    • Max says

      Fred,are you here as a tourist or are you staying long term? I mean will you extend your stay at the local immigration office?
      It's actually your friend who's responsible for the TM30 report. Even when it's done online. The online reporting was actually designed for hotels and guesthouses to make it easier for them when reporting guests.So,if your friend registers at the TM30 website, he just reports you as a guest. It's quite simple, the info he needs is in your passport incl your departure card, the TM6. When it's done,you need to take a screenshot because there are no way to print out a receipt.
      Reply

      • Leo says

        I have stayed in Thailand for a long term, and I recently moved into my friend's house without any paper leasing contracts.

        Wondered if the TM30 would be registered w/o a leasing contract and your answer is clear on that which it is reporting as a guest!

        Many thanks!
        Reply

    • Scott says

      Fred, I am in exactly the same situation. Staying at a friends place no lease (could always draft one up for this purpose of required) and no reporting for 10 days and counting. Possible additional complexity is that my friend is in Australia (Thai National), although if online then it should not matter . Can you share your outcome and any advice? Did you need to lodge a copy of a lease? I am in Nonthaburi Province if anyone has experience in this location. Thanks I’m advance.
      Reply

        • Scott says

          I am long stay retirement visa.
          I also note that the app and website are not available to the property owner (Thai national living in Australia) because his apple ID region is Austraila and the website and app are only available if your Apple ID region is Thailand.
          I have since created a Nee Apple ID with Thailand region and filled the app on his behalf. When I get to end it says “Notification- Error response status (0)” and I pushed the Done button. Does that mean, zero errors, all good. Or do I need a more affirmative message to confirm his registration. I note I uploaded a copy of his ID, front page of purchase contract and copy of house registration page of his blue house book
          Reply

          • Max says

            If the registration was successful, you should be able to register yourself as the guest. If I remember correctly, the latest check-out date is one year after check-in. When you're done (if it worked), you need to take a screenshot to show immigration to get the receipt to put in your passport because there's no print out button. As I wrote earlier,the app was designed to make it easier for hotels and guesthouses to report guests. Instead of sending someone to the immigration office every other day,they could do it online.
            Reply

  7. KH Ong says

    Thanks for this helpful article.
    But I found there is one issue when doing online submission, the person who do this must be within Thailand IP address.
    The website is not accessible from outside Thailand. Correct me if I was wrong. Thanks krub.
    Reply

      • JamesE says

        Yes, but... If you're in Thailand and have your VPN set to an overseas server and you can't get in to the reporting system there's no reason given. It just doesn't work. I think a lot of the complaints about various systems being inaccessible may be traced back to user error...
        Reply

    • Gary says

      I think you are asking if the person submitting the TM 30 must be in Thailand if it's not you making the submission.
      The property owner should submit the form but if they live abroad maybe assuming a VPN might get around the issue but if not then you can submit a TM 28 to show your arrival at the property so at least you have complied with the regulations. If staying a long period you could try submitting the TM 30 yourself as the occupier but its hit and miss if Immigration will allow it in your area. A TM 28 will cover your arrival if submitted by you to Immigration office within 24hourscof arrival in a province excluding weekends and public holidays .
      Reply

      • Max says

        The person the TM30 concerns must of course be in Thailand living at the address he/she is reporting. The TM28 haven't been used for years in most provinces. Several immigration offices accepts self-reporting the TM30 as the possessor when renting a condo/house.
        Reply

  8. Edward Chase says

    Stayed in Tha Sa At with my (elderly) lady pre covid 2019-2020. Nearest Immigration office is Bueng Kan a day away. Went to local police station on Monday after arriving previous Friday since it is closed at weekends. Helpful and friendly wrote out all details on a report sheet, I stayed for two months no problem. It is Thailand.
    Reply

    • Max says

      If you didn't have to visit immigration (for something else than a TM30-report),and stayed less than 90 days, then you could have skipped the visit to the local police station. I guess you were here as a tourist, so no need what so ever to submit a TM30-report as long as you didn't have to extend your stay at the local immigration office and they actually asked for a report.
      Reply

  9. Markus says

    Our broker was the one who did the TM30 for me and my friends. He gave us a screenshot that shows our name, passport details, and nationality. When I asked for access to actual form, he just said to show the screenshot to immigration and they should know.

    1st time renewing my STV next week, and I'm worried to make mistakes that could lead to the disapproval of my application for extension.

    Is the above ok? Or is there a way to check/access TM30 online? Grateful for help.
    Reply

  10. Ron Ryan says

    Hi, I'm currently staying in Bangkok on a STV visa (3months with the ability to extend for a further 2, 3 monthly periods) I am staying in a condo owned by an Australian friend who is living in Australia to get the visa I had to submit a residential property lease done in Australia we both live in Australia and unable to do a Thai lease also he does not have Thai tax id number, which was accepted by the Thailand embassy in Canberra Australia as prove of accommodation after mandatory ASQ the initial lease was for 3 months then periodical rental for the duration of stay also I signed letter from him advising I can stay as long as visa allows 90 to 270 days, I have just gotten my next 3 month extension but have been told by immigration I need to complete a T30 report address form (. My question is can I report my self as staying at the condo complex ? or could the no one had advised me of this requirement) condo manager fill out the form for me ? any advise would be very appreciated
    Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      You can start by asking the condo juristic/manager for help......as you have a long term lease you should be able to complete this formality yourself ...... copy your lease and letter and passport pages showing name, photo, visa and entry stamps, complete TM30 and go talk to immigration, taking originals with you as well.
      Reply

    • Ron says

      Thanks Mike and Max. I went to Bangkok immigration toady and all went well with my self reporting were easily done. I did get a small fine of 800baht for not having done it on time.
      Thanks again for the advise.
      Reply

      • ron ryan says

        Hi, again Mike I have a further question. As per previous messages I self registered my TM 30 and at the time advised I will be staying till November 2021 at the stated address, my question is do I need to confirm that I’m still there after 90 days or is the initial TM 30 stating till November all that is required ( I have had my visa extended till November last week.
        Thanks Ron
        Reply

        • Max says

          Have you done a 90 days report before? Are you here on a covid-19 extension? The day you did the TM30 report in June has nothing to do with the 90 days report. The TM30 is just a report showing your official address. The 90 days starts the day you arrive in Thailand,but not for tourists who normally can't stay longer than 60+30 days. If you don't extend your stay in November, you can skip the 90 days report. If you extended your stay (not a visa) 2 months because of covid-19 other rules apply, because these special covid-19 extensions have never existed before. You should have asked immigration when you did the TM30 report or call them because I can't tell when your 90 days started, or if you as a tourist needs to do a 90 days report at all.
          Reply

          • ron ryan says

            Thanks Max I’m on a STV visa which was 90 days with the option of 2 more 90 day extensions. I arrived on 18th February and did my first extension on the 16th of May that’s when they informed me about T30 which I then did and on the 16 th of August I got my last extension to November and at this stage I fly out in November a few days before the visa finishes, neither immigration or Tm 30 mentioned anything about 90 day reporting ?
            I have not done any 90 reporting just the 2 x 90 Day visa extensions
            Reply

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