You are here: Home / Thailand Living / A Quick-Fire Guide to the TM30 Form: Reporting Your Stay

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.

More Tips for a Better Life in Thailand

Send Money to Thailand:

Use Transferwise. It is fast, cheap, and gives you the market exchange rate. Me and the majority of my readers are using it.

Get Good Health Insurance:

Start with a quick quote from Cigna. Then compare my other recommendations here.

Improve Your Thai Skills:

Learning Thai makes life here easier and more fun. I use Thaipod101. It is free to get started & easy to use.

Protect Your Online Privacy:

A VPN protects you against hackers and government snooping. I always use one. You should too. Read why here.



Last Updated on

Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

    • Mike Baker says

      Very good question about a poorly designed web site...... the save button near the bottom, above what looks like a blank spreadsheet, saves the info into the spreadsheet and reverts the form to blank ... the idea being you can input multiple records before submission..... when you are finished inputting records you need to press the save button top right of page... looks like a floppy disk..... this then gives a pop up window and you click on the button there to confirm saving..... you DON'T get any receipt... you can check the record has taken by searching the main drop down left side menu and inputting todays date in the date range.... this will then show the record you have just input... and if you want you can print it, screen shot it or photo it.
      Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      No. They are not an alien. They will undoubtedly have come into the country on their Thai passport anyway and so won't show up anywhere as anything other than Thai. They will not be in the country using a visa as permission and therefore do not have a set expiry/leaving date.
      Reply

    • Max says

      No one are ever asked at Immigration at the airport where they have been staying. As a tourist you have no obligations to report your stay at Immigration. That has to be done by hotels/guesthouses or landlords. The manager is officially correct. When staying here long term you must be reported using the TM30 by someone. Otherwise there might be problems at immigration.
      Reply

  5. Dieter Schmitz says

    This is all very funny and welcomed. It is about time Thai Immigration gets tough and enforces the TM30 law. Many parts of Thailand are overrun with [removed]. It seems I am now in [removed] instead of Thailand.
    Reply

    • Max says

      The TM30 reporting is enforced all over Thailand starting early this year. But you have to understand that as a tourist you are not responsible to report. You don't have to think about it. That's what the hotel or guesthouse has to do.
      When staying here long term it has to be done. Even when extending a stay,it might be important.
      Reply

    • Gary says

      Yes as you have been at an address other then the one you are registered at . Whether out of country , at a Thai hotel or staying with friends, if it's over 24 hours away from your official registered address then you have to report you are back " home" and this must be do within 24 hours of getting home
      Reply

      • Max says

        The answer is always yes, when he comes back from abroad. In several Immigration offices you don't have to report when coming back from another province.
        I am staying in one of those provinces. Please don't post inaccurate information. The rules are not same in every province.
        Reply

        • Mike Baker says

          The post is not inaccurate.....The law is the same across the whole of Thailand..... Application of the law may differ in your province at the moment but the law is clear, as stated in the TTL article, and so there is a risk that its application in your area will change without you knowing and cause a problem at some point.....
          Reply

          • Max says

            Like I said, there are several provinces enforcing the law the same way they do it where I'm staying. And not only "at the moment". One of the reasons are that several provinces don't see a problem with not enforcing the law the same way they do it at for example CW immigration in BKK. They actually understand that submitting a new TM30 for every trip outside the province is unnecessary and time consuming.
            Reply

    • Max says

      It depends where in Thailand you're living. Several Immigration offices don't require a new TM30 report after leaving the province and coming back to the same address. If you're leaving Thailand,then you have to submit a new TM30 report at your local Immigration office when coming back.
      Reply

      • Mike Baker says

        What you say may be current practice in some areas but it is technically incorrect. So the danger here is that having discovered your local immigartion dont really care about TM30 or certain aspects of how it should be enforced, you are blissfully ignorant that they have changed to a more strict application of the law and later you find you have a problem...... They wont contact you to tell you the rules have changed.... and as the TM30 rules are rolled out across Thailand, these immigration departments may be told to do it by the book at a moments notice..... if the TM30 system is a country wide database, which I think it must be, it will immediately show gaps in reporting to any office.
        Reply

        • Max says

          You are a bit naive or maybe just (insult removed). I am not staying in a tiny province with few foreigners,on the contrary. Even if the Department of Immigration wants offices to enforce the TM30 reporting, they have still the freedom to decide how to enforce the law. This is not a secret. Don't you think BKK knows about this? We don't have to worry about anything,and I self report as possessor if needed or when changing condo.
          Reply

          • Mike Baker says

            I am pointing out the law and the risks attached to ignoring it..........To say "we dont have to worry about anything" is ignoring the risks entirely........of course readers can make their own decisions, as long as they know the law and then get a feel for its application.
            Reply

            • Max says

              What risks? I don't know where you're staying,it sounds like BKK. We get information online (newsletters) regarding changes in rules and regulations at my local immigration in my province 2-3 times a month.I guess it is same in some other provinces. You don't seem to understand that the 90 days report is connected to the last reported address = TM30.
              I just did my last 90 days report a week ago so why should I worry? I'm following the local rules,hence I am following the law.
              Reply

  7. James Anderson says

    Am I correct that if you are a tenant you cannot report yourself online? I have heard some people obtain credentials from their landlord and reporting themselves on their landlord's behalf with the landlord's credentials, but this is not what I mean. As a tenant can you obtain your own credentials in the online TM30 system to report yourself?
    Reply

    • Gary says

      Nope you can't self report other than on a TM 28 unless you or your partner/ wife own the property . The landlord can register then if they wish they can give you their log in details so you pose as then to submit the form on line but the system is still floored as we have been waiting y weeks for my wife's password after her application was accepted and confirmed. Even when legally registering yourself through property ownership you best give yourself a couple of months before on line TM 30's will be able to be submitted.
      Reply

      • Max says

        At several Immigration offices you can self report the TM30 as the possessor even as a tenant.
        You fill in the TM30-form as the possessor and then report yourself as the guest. Submitting the TM28 yourself won't help you a bit because the Immigration office still requires the TM30 to be submitted.
        Reply

        • Gary says

          Max, how do you get around the tabien baan and Thai I'D if you are only the possessor you have a rental agreement but no ownership paperwork . Does your local office circumnavigate the law and allow renters to pose as actual owners with no house book evidence ?
          I suggested the TM 28 as this shows Immigration ( at most offices that you are trying to act in good faith and report your presence at the address . No all of us have helpful condo owners who will file a TM 30 . Come extension renewal the TM 28 can be helpful ( maybe) to prevent a fine for the missing TM 30 form the owners failed to submit. Here in Bangkok the law is straight forward and applied to the letter so we aren't able to use short cuts or "local practises" that may bend the rules to our benefit
          Reply

          • Max says

            According to many reports online,even CW Immigration in BKK allows self reporting, but I can't swear that's true.
            Several immigration offices in Thailand are ok with it. The law states that the possessor of the condo can submit the TM30,and those immigration offices allowing it,they think it's important to get it done and realizes the problem with owners and landlords refusing to submit the TM30. Some owners are not even in Thailand. Like I said earlier, I have done it myself twice when changing condo using signed copies of my rental contract, the usual copies from the passport and a copy of the TM6-card. Then filling in the TM30 form as the possessor and reporting myself as the guest. I'm staying 5min from my immigration office,and have no problems doing it myself when they allow it. Why should I complain over the interpretation of immigration laws? When I'm doing it their way, I am following the law. And I keep the Receipt of Notification in my passport. Everybody are happy.
            Reply

            • James E says

              One of the things this whole discussion points out and which ties in with similar discussions on the "Opening a Bank Account" thread is that it's Thailand: The Rules Are Different Here. While Max is able to do his reporting one way or the fact that I (along with others) was able to easily open a bank account is no guarantee that you will be able to do so as well. One thing to remember is that authority resides at the top in Thailand, but power - the ability to say Yes or No - resides locally. The rules are set at the top but the implementation of those rules is local. Remember, too, that respect is paramount and that "face" is an important social glue. Saying "But these are the rules!" won't get you nearly as far as saying "Yes, I understand the rules but is there any way you can help me get this done?" (N.B. Having "But these are the rules" said to you is the end of the discussion. It's Thailand, it's a one-way street...) The last thing to keep in mind is that things change. The department may get a new head, the local office might get a new manager, or the officer you've dealt with might have just gotten dumped by his girlfriend. As Mike said, things can be different - for now.
              Reply

            • Max says

              You're reasoning is wrong.
              If I do what my local immigration office tells me to do,then I'm following the law. Do you understand? You can read about different interpretations of the laws at immigration offices in many forums and websites. It's the same with submitting the TM30 when coming back home from another province. In CW Immigration in BKK you have to do it. In several other provinces you don't. They will say: Just wait for next 90 days report if you're coming back to the same address. You must be the only person that doesn't appreciate a bit of leniency.
              Reply

  8. trevor adams says

    Thanks Peter for the great job you are doing in keeping us across nonsensical Thai bureaucracy, especially the TM30 farce!
    I have a house being rented out, long term, to a Farang; my question is if they go upcountry to his wife's home town & they register in a hotel under her married name (same as his) - theory is that he'll be ok & not need to report, albeit he's being naughty circumventing the "system"??
    PS - yet another couple i know leaving Thailand for good to relocate to Nha Trang!
    Reply

    • James E says

      Trevor, He does not do the TM-30, the hotel does. The hotel will collect his passport, make a photocopy, and file the report. His wife will not be reported. It doesn't matter who books and registers into the hotel. Hotels have been doing this for decades it's just recently that the rules have been extended to private property owners.
      Reply

      • Max says

        James, I don't think you understand what Trevor says. If his wife succeds in checking in at the hotel,they won't report him.
        Hence,he never left his last reported address. And, the rules about reporting foreigners havent changed recently. They've been the same for an eternity. Loads of hotels and guesthouses don't report guests because they are lazy,don't know they have to do it or are not licensed. It was the same 25 years ago.It doesn't matter where foreigners are staying,they have to be reported by law.
        Reply

        • James E says

          Max, Nonsense. "If his wife succeeds in checking in at the hotel." What? Without him having to show ID? Is Trevor to ask if the hotel is going to report him? This is terrible advice. You're assuming they're going to be staying at a place that is a shadow operation or is ignoring the reporting requirements. But, if they're not, he could be screwed when he goes for a visa extension. At a "real" hotel/guesthouse/homestay/whatever all guests must show ID and all foreigners must be reported. That they are not happens because the risk (currently) falls on the foreigner while the responsibility to report lies with the business.
          Reply

          • Max says

            I didn't give him any advice.
            If his wife checks them in,then he won't be reported. That's what another guy said the next day. He and his wife does it all the time. And in what universe does every hotel submit the TM30? I can mention many small hotels and guesthouses which never ever reports anyone. That's not a problem, because it's never the guests responsibility, and if someone staying in BKK doesn't like to go to CW Immigration,then he prefers staying in a place where he is not reported. No one asks to be reported.
            Reply

    • Max says

      Is the rental contract in his name?
      Then she should be able to check in using her Thai ID-card,even if they are married. But upcountry there are so many hotels which never reports foreigners anyway.
      Just pick one of those.
      Reply

    • Trevor Adams says

      I have yet another question on TMs etc! I have a farang renting my house for the past 2.5 years. Neither of us have reported via TMs for that period - even though he has left the country a couple of times & been travelling intra Thailand - both of us have not had any issues with immigration (thus far) 90 day reporting etc. Question - let sleeping dogs lie??
      Reply

      • Mike Baker says

        The point of these discussions is to highlight that Thai Immigration are now starting to apply the law on TM30 and the way this is being done impacts on "Aliens" who will require a service from immigration (for example, but not only, a visa extension). So far this has been by way of fines..... It is clear that implimentation of the rules is unfair, possibly illegal, and inconsistent but we have to accept it..... there is also the possibility that sanctions against "aliens" will change....... so whilst doing nothing seems a fair approach, you will be risking fines and possibly other sanctions if things develop against us..... using the online system is simple once registration has been achieved (and that may require help from immigration) so why chance problems that may affect your long-term stay?
        Reply

          • Mike Baker says

            I beg to differ.... fining the Alien is quite likely to be illegal as the law states the responsibility for reporting the "alien" lies with the owner. One day this will be challenged in court..... its like making a passenger pay for the driver's speeding ticket!
            Reply

            • Max says

              Try that reasoning with the Immigration Police.
              And the law doesn't say that only the "owner" is responsible for the TM30 report. It says
              owner/housemaster/possessor. It's a matter of interpretation. I do agree that the way they enforce the law is inconsistent.
              Reply

      • Max says

        It might depend on the Immigration office and the province. Immigration started to enforce the TM30-reporting early this year. The 90 days report is all about confirming that the foreigner is staying at the last reported address,and that address should be the one reported by the TM30. The TM6-card (arrival/departure-card) number is also connected to the TM30. The 90 days reports or eventual extensions should reveal that no TM30 has been reported.
        Reply

  9. James Anderson says

    Here is an example situation:
    1. I am living in Bangkok in a rented condo.
    2. I leave the condo to go to Phuket for 3 days.
    3. I return to Bangkok.
    Do either I or property owner have to report that
    a) I left Bangkok
    b) I arrived in Phuket
    c) I left Phuket
    d) I returned to Bangkok?

    Or is TM30 reporting only required when I arrive at each place? I'm confused if both arrival and departure is required or just arrival?
    Reply

      • Gary says

        But what is the system when the property owner forgets / refuses to submit a TM 30 ? Is the visitor then expected to submit a TM 28 ?

        My landlord refuses to assist so I am at a loss what I should due except waste a day going to the Immigration Office each time I return to my condo.

        In my view I think they should do away with the TM 30 and put the onus on the traveller to report where they are via the TM28 , at least then you know you have complied and not left it to chance. Maybe an online TM 28 would make the system work since failure to register movements is really just a system to fine the traveller not the property owners in all reality.
        Reply

        • Max says

          This is my personal opinion,but I think they will change the way the TM30 has to be submitted. There's been so many articles in newspapers lately. The problem is,when changing or amending a law, nothing happens for a long time.
          Back to your problem. If you rent a condo and the contract/lease is in your name,you can actually submit the TM30 as the possessor,and report yourself as the guest. It works in many Immigration offices. I have done it twice when moving to another condo without any raised eyebrows.
          Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      TM30 reports arrival and expected departure date...... the latest TM30 records where you are staying and so naturally cancels the registration on the previous place, even if you left early or later than first expected.... no need to do anything else and there is no system to report leave dates or arrival dates in another way other than TM28 which is not used anyway (although it is on the statute books and even less practical than TM30!)
      Reply

    • Max says

      If you're staying in a hotel or guesthouse in Phuket,they are by law required to report your stay.
      If they ask for your passport when you check in, they will report you. If they don't ask for your passport,then they have no intention to report you. Hence,you never left BKK.
      If they reported you,then someone has to report you within 24 hours at CW immigration when you come back.
      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

FOLLOW ME

Search TTL

Copyright © TheThailandLife.com 2024
No content on this site may be copied without written consent.

Send this to a friend