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

    • Max says

      Depending on the immigration office, you might be fined up to 1600 baht if you submit the TM30 yourself. You'll see what happens when you apply for the extension. A few offices do ask tourists for a TM30, most of them don't. It's not the end of the world if they ask for a TM30 report.
      Reply

    • Max says

      That depends. If the hotel where you're staying at in BKK reports you and your local immigration office requires a new TM30-report to be submitted when staying outside the province,then yes. If the hotel doesn't report you (they don't ask for your passport when checking in), then no. Several immigration offices don't require a new TM30-report when travelling in Thailand and coming back to the latest reported address. There's no rule,so you need to ask Immigration in Hua-Hin or someone you know who's been in the same situation.
      Reply

    • James E says

      You'd have to check with the individual host to see how they handle it. However, you have to remember, the TH-30 *only* comes into play (as Max and others have pointed out) if you are planning on dealing with immigration. If you're just going to be in and out on a TV or exemption you really don't have to worry about it.
      Reply

    • Max says

      James E is correct. If you're here as a tourist and you're not going to extend your stay at the local immigration office, forget about the TM30 report. FYI: You can never trust any landlord or owner when it comes to TM30 reporting. Some will do it, most of them will refuse or come up with a bad excuse for not doing it.
      Reply

        • Max says

          Why not apply for a 60 days tourist visa instead? Then no need for an extension that will cost you 1900 baht,and no need to visit immigration. Regarding AirBnb in Thailand, it's very overpriced,so compare prices with regular hotel prices online. There's a decline in tourism and I've seen 40-50% discounts,especially during low season.
          Reply

        • Mike Baker says

          Best get a 60 day tourist visa in your own country then you won't have to worry about TM30...... if you extend in Thailand you may be caught out by a lack of TM30 and fined and STILL have to get a TM30 submitted, which your host may refuse to do for obvious reasons.
          Reply

      • Mike Baker says

        Air bnb is the equivalent of a hotel. An illegal hotel at that...... The booking will provide evidence of contract.... but you won't be able to self register and report as you are not a possessor with an acceptable period of contract, only having a right to occupy short term, often with access by the owner daily..... and the owner will probably be horrified if you do try to submit TM30 as they are trading illegally and likely not declaring income.
        Reply

      • Max says

        Normally you "rent" from the owner of the condo. In countries where Airbnb is totally legal you book and pay the same way you book and pay for a hotel room. 30 days rentals is sort of legal in Thailand, but short term = 1-2 weeks is illegal. I really doubt you'll get a rental contract, because it's like staying in a hotel. You'll get a receipt. Are you thinking about the TM30 report, or what?
        Reply

      • Max says

        I checked online regarding "rental contracts" for Airbnb in Thailand. There are agreements, like house rules regarding responsibilities. What you can and can't do. My condo contract in Jomtien is 3 pages + 1 page with signatures. I doubt an AirBnb contract will be the same.
        Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      If you extend at immigration they may expect to see a TM30 on file. If it is not then you may get fined and be expected to file a TM30 before they extend.....I use the word "may" because immigration have discretion, which means they are inconsistant and so one always has to look at worst case scenario......... if you are already on the system and get an extension and have no intention of extending again (or doing a visa run) then you need not worry about TM30 again in this visit, wherever you go, as you will not have interaction with immigration again before you leave.
      Reply

    • Max says

      You're on a so called 30 days Visa exempt. The TM30 will depend on the immigration office. If they need a TM30 report you might be fined 1600 baht and then you need to submit the report. If you're lucky,no TM30 needed,but prepare for the worst case scenario. It's not a fortune.
      Reply

    • Max says

      When register, you need at least the photo/info page from your passport and the first page from your rental contract. Those 2 documents you must upload to be able to register. There is also an Excel file to download where you can store the info you need to submit the TM30 report. That Excel file you can use next time instead of entering the same data again.
      Reply

  6. Roger says

    Hi,

    Do you get a receipt when the TM30 is filed, is it really possible to trust a condo owner. They could easily say it is all done and it’s not.

    Is is possible to find out if the condo is registered for the TM30, if it is then it is much more likely the owner is going to use the system.

    Thanks
    Reply

    • Max says

      When doing the TM30 report manually, you'll get a receipt. Condo owners/landlords very often never reports their tenants even if they are supposed to. You can as a tenant register online using the app Section38 as Foreigner and then as the Possessor. You need to upload a copy of the photo page in your passport and the first page in your rental contract. At several immigration offices you can also self report the TM30 as possessor and then report yourself as the guest.
      Reply

    • Gary says

      If in doubt I would suggest doing it yourself in person at the Immigration centre. The on line reporting would be on the owners computer so you still wouldn't know . Has the owner asked for your passport and TM6 number and Nationality as they would need them to file the report on you, if not then assume the worst. I do my own to be 100% sure and get the receipt in my hand for future visa evidence. If you go yourself take the original and a copy of the rental agreement and a copy of your passport with the TM6 included and you should be good filing it as condo possessor. read up on line what codes you now use to fill in page 2 of the TM30 if needed. Good luck
      Reply

      • Max says

        You can use online reporting in your own name as Foreigner> Possessor, exactly same as if you self report at the local immigration office. You just upload the first page in your contract and the photo/info page from your passport when you register.When you get the username and password via email you report yourself.
        Reply

    • ROB says

      I've just returned from the doing the 90 day report and I used the section 38 app to register myself as possessor for the TM30. Within a hour or so of registering you will receive an email confirming your registration and instructing you to change your password when next logging on, you don't need to do this unless you need to register again for another TM30 in the future. The email will show your name your given address and the date. Take a screen shot of the email confirmation and print it out. Worked OK for me and you don't need to bother with the hassle of getting your landlord to do it.
      Reply

    • Roger says

      Thanks for all your comments.

      I am only coming for a month, and most likely be using something like Airbnb.

      My understanding from previous research is that you need blue house book and owners IDcard to complete the TM30 process, as well as my details which ties up with what some others here have said, someone else mentioned rental contract, which you don’t get with Airbnb.

      For those who have used the online reporting are you saying you don’t need details which only the landlord would have like their house book.

      Regards
      Reply

      • Mike Baker says

        If you are only coming for a month as a tourist then you need not worry about TM30..... TM30 only becomes an issue for longer stays where there is a need to report in every 90 days or seek an extension (renewal) of one's visa....... as a tourist this system is largely irrelevant whichever accomodation you stay at as you will simply leave the country within the 30 day visa limit and there is no TM30 check on exit...... if you think you may stay longer and therefore may wish to extend your stay in Thailand (as opposed to exiting the country and re entering) then best to get a longer tourist visa before coming (like a 60 day or, if you fit the criteria, a 90 day O)....... to specifically answer your question , for registration online (which then gives you the ability to report online) you need to be a possessor..... this means you need a formal contract over 1 month. You would also need your passport and TM6 slip (departure card)........ so with airbnb you cannot self report.
        Reply

      • Max says

        If having a rental contract,using the first page and the photo/info page from the passport is the easiest way to register. When not having a contract you can upload the owners blue book and Thai ID-card, both sides. Or blue book and the photo/info page from your passport. BUT,if you're only staying 30 days and will not extend your stay, you can skip the TM30 entirely,because you won't have anything to do with Immigration. You're here as a tourist.
        Reply

      • rob says

        The TM30 only concerns those with a long stay visa and who have to report to immigration every 90 days so if you are only coming for a month you don't have to report to immigration so you don't need it. It will only concern your hotel or your host where you stay.
        Reply

  8. rob says

    Unable to contact my landlord I have registered myself as possessor on the Sec38 app for the TM30. I received an email confirming my registration with user name and password. Assuming I was now on file as registering I was unhappy to be told when attending the 90 day renewal that I need to return and produce paper work re TM30. Isn't that the whole idea of registering online, to cut down on paper work? How do I access and print off the 'paper work' or the file that I submitted or should I just take a photo of the email confirmation?
    Confused.
    Reply

    • James E says

      You got your login approved but you still have to scan and submit the paperwork (house book, lease agreement, passport) to prove that you are authorized to report. Read through the comments I think there are some really detailed write-ups of what was needed for self-reporting. Nothing in Thailand is designed to cut down on paperwork. But once you're set up it should be fine.
      Reply

    • Max says

      First you register and get your username and a temporary password,then you log in and change the password. Now you can do the TM30 report online and when it's done you can search for your report and take a screenshot of it. There are no printout button.
      Reply

  9. mikes says

    This was helpful. The issue I am having is I cannot find an example of HOW TO fill out the form. I am the foreigner. I am staying in a Condo. I've been here 4 nights. I just now asked - the office person had never heard of a TM30. I sent it to her and she printed saying if I fill it out she will give it to the owner. The office rents these condos on behalf of the owners. I do not directly communicate with the owner. I am unclear what to put in each field of the form so if you can share a link to an example or video that would be much appreciated.
    Reply

    • James E says

      Print out the webpage (in Thai) that says it's the office's responsibility to file and give it to them. If you want to proceed get them to get you all the documentation you need to file as possessor (See some of Max's comments) and set yourself up the online account and app. Then you can self-report to the authorities. Otherwise, just file a TM-28 to keep them apprised of your address and to CYA.
      Reply

      • Mike Baker says

        I think James' suggeation of registering as possessor is the best idea as the owner and agent are obviously clueless and/or lazy and every time you arrive back from anywhere you will have a battle on your hands..... I have heard TM28 is now being rejected as an option at some immigration offices and is unknown at police stations (where, in theory, you can also submit).......


        After Max clarified how to get the app, I used it for the 1st time a few days ago and it works better than the web page version.
        Reply

  10. Bruce says

    My Thai spouse and I arrived in Thailand last week. We are staying at the house he owns. We tried to submit the form this evening to register, but could not get past the 1Mb limit on the size of the photo. The form asks that we attach a photo of his Thai National ID card and House Registration, and then turns around and rejects it because it is larger than 1Mb. Does anyone know how to get around this?
    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