TM30 vs 90-Day Report in Thailand: The Two Rules Explained
The TM30 and the 90-day report are two different Thai immigration rules with two different owners. Here is who files each, when, how, and what the fines are.
by DUOLEXX
Two rules, one endless confusion
If you have lived in Thailand for more than a few months, you have probably heard both "TM30" and "90-day report" thrown around as if they were the same errand. They are not — and confusing them is one of the most common ways long-term residents end up with an unexpected fine or a rejected extension.
The problem usually starts with the split responsibility. One of these reports is legally your landlord's job; the other is yours alone. When a landlord assumes the tenant handles everything, or a tenant assumes the landlord does, something quietly goes unfiled — and you only find out at the immigration counter.
This guide untangles the two once and for all: what each one is, who has to file it, when, how, and what happens if it slips. Everything below is tied to the actual rules from the Thai Immigration Bureau so you can verify it yourself.
What is the TM30, and who has to file it?
The TM30 is a notification of a foreigner's place of residence, filed by the owner or manager of that residence within 24 hours of the foreigner's arrival. It answers one question for immigration: where is this foreigner physically living right now?
The legal basis is Section 38 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979). It obliges the house owner, head of household, landlord, or hotel/apartment manager — not the foreigner — to notify the local immigration authorities within 24 hours when a non-Thai national takes up residence at their property.
Who actually files it
- Hotels and registered apartment buildings usually file it automatically through a direct electronic link to the immigration database. This is why you rarely think about a TM30 when staying in a hotel.
- Private landlords and condo owners are the weak point. Many do not know the rule exists, do not want the paperwork, or live abroad. Legally the duty is still theirs.
- You can often file it on your host's behalf (with their documents) at many offices, and immigration will accept it — but the underlying legal obligation remains the property owner's.
How the TM30 is filed
- Online via the official portal at tm30.immigration.go.th, or through the Section 38 mobile app (iOS and Android).
- In person at the local immigration office serving the address.
The host registers once, then submits each new foreigner's arrival. You typically need a copy of the passport (photo page and current visa/entry stamp) and the property owner's house registration (Tabien Baan) and ID.
What is the 90-day report, and how is it different?
The 90-day report (form TM.47) is your own confirmation to immigration, every 90 days, that you are still residing at your reported address. It is not a visa, not a renewal, and it does not extend your permission to stay — it is purely an address check-in.
It falls under Section 37 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522, which places duties directly on foreigners. Anyone permitted to stay in Thailand for a long period (retirement, marriage, work, education, and similar extensions) must report every time they complete 90 consecutive days in the country.
Here is the distinction to burn into memory:
| TM30 | 90-day report (TM.47) | |
|---|---|---|
| Question it answers | Where do you live? | Are you still living there? |
| Legal owner | Landlord / property manager (Section 38) | The foreigner (Section 37) |
| Trigger | Moving into a new address | Completing 90 days of continuous stay |
| Timing | Within 24 hours of arrival | Window of 15 days before to 7 days after the due date |
| Frequency | Once per address (per stay) | Every 90 days |
One thing that trips everyone up
The 90-day counter is about continuous presence, not your visa. Extending your visa does not reset the 90-day clock — only physically leaving and re-entering Thailand starts a fresh 90-day count from the new entry date. So you can renew a one-year extension and still owe a 90-day report a few weeks later.
When exactly is each one due?
TM30 timing
The TM30 is due within 24 hours of a foreigner arriving at the residence. In practice that means the first time you move into a new home, hotel, or province.
Since a 2020 relaxation (published in the Government Gazette on 16 June 2020, effective 30 June 2020), a fresh TM30 is generally not required every single time you leave the country and return to the same address within your re-entry permit period. The catch: enforcement varies by office, and many landlords never learned the nuance. After a long trip abroad, it is worth confirming your TM30 is still on file before you attempt any other immigration errand.
90-day report timing
You can file the TM.47 in a window running from 15 days before your due date to 7 days after it. File early if you are going to travel — there is no penalty for filing on the early side of the window.
If you leave Thailand before the due date, the count resets on your return, so a trip abroad can cancel a pending report entirely (a new 90 days begins from your latest entry stamp).
How do I actually file the 90-day report?
You have several options, and the reporting itself is free:
- Online at tm47.immigration.go.th — the standard choice for repeat filers. Note that many people's first 90-day report must be done in person; online filing is enabled from the second report onward.
- In person at your local immigration office (bring your passport and the TM.47 form).
- By registered post, sent to reach immigration at least 15 days before the deadline.
- Through an authorised agent, who charges a service fee.
After a successful online filing you generally receive an email receipt within a couple of business days showing your next due date. Keep that slip — it is what officers ask for at your next extension.
A simple checklist to stay clean
- [ ] Confirm your landlord (or hotel) has filed a TM30 for your current address.
- [ ] Note your 90-day due date and set a reminder about 20 days before.
- [ ] File the TM.47 inside the 15-days-before to 7-days-after window.
- [ ] Save the receipt (TM30 confirmation and 90-day slip) for your next immigration visit.
- [ ] After any trip abroad, recheck both: the 90-day clock resets, and your TM30 may need a refresh.
What are the penalties if I get it wrong?
Late 90-day report
Reporting late typically costs around 2,000 THB. If you are stopped by police or an immigration officer before you self-report, the fine can climb toward 5,000 THB, with an added 200 THB per day you remain non-compliant. Going in voluntarily to settle it is always cheaper than being caught.
Missing TM30
The TM30 fine legally falls on the property owner or manager, generally up to 2,000 THB for an individual landlord (with a statutory ceiling that reaches 10,000 THB for hotel operators). A foreigner can also be fined up to 2,000 THB for failing to ensure the notification was made.
The bigger practical risk is not the cash. A missing TM30 can stall everything else. Many offices refuse to process your 90-day report, visa extension, or re-entry permit until a valid TM30 exists for your address — turning a landlord's oversight into your problem on the day you least want it.
Conclusion
Remember it as address versus time: the TM30 tells immigration where you live and is your landlord's job when you move in; the 90-day report confirms you are still there and is your job every three months. The single most useful next step is to verify a valid TM30 is already on file for your current address today — because without it, your next 90-day report or extension can be refused at the counter.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fines change and are enforced differently by each office, so confirm the current requirements for your address with the Thai Immigration Bureau (immigration.go.th) or a licensed Thai immigration lawyer before you act.