Can I file the TM30 myself in Thailand if my landlord refuses to do it?

Jan 25, 2023
2 years ago
Don **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I will be moving to Thailand to live with my wife in May. We already have a rented house and a copy of the lease. Can I file the TM30 myself within 24 hours of arrival if I go to Jomtien with my wife? Apparently the landlord says he can't or maybe won't file it for me.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The TM30 filing can often cause confusion among expats in Thailand, especially when landlords are unwilling to file it due to various reasons, often related to tax concerns. If your landlord refuses to file the TM30 within 24 hours of your arrival, you have options. You may file it yourself if you have the necessary paperwork, including a copy of the landlord's ID card and house book (tabien baan). Some users also suggested getting written consent or a power of attorney from the landlord to streamline the process. It’s crucial to act on this promptly as both parties face potential fines for non-compliance with the law.
Robert ************
@Don *********
STEP-BY-STEP DO-IT-YOURSELF INSTRUCTIONS -- APPLYING FOR RETIREMENT STAY AFTER ARRIVAL IN THAILAND (Must be over age 50): i. You may arrive either Visa Exempt (currently 45-days), or on a 60-day Tourist Visa. ii. Then, immediately after your arrival, you must promptly open a Thai Bank Account, and transfer 800,000 Baht into Thai Bank Account (if married, some Immig. Offices like CM, accept Joint Account with 1.6 Mil. Baht. Also Note, that either Passbook Savings or Fixed Deposit is acceptable, but not Investment Account. Finally note, that some Immig. Offices, but not all - e.g. CM, require proof of foreign source of funds. WISE is an inexpensive, easy & reliable service to transfer funds). iii. Then, you apply for a 90-day Non-O Visa at local Thai Immigration Office. If on Visa Exempt, you use Form TM87, if on Tourist Visa TM86. You are required to apply with minimum 15-21 days remaining on permitted Stay, depending on Office (Chiang Mai, requires 21 days). Requirements: TM87 or TM86 (Note: Fear not, only 1-page Form simple to fill out in English with only basic info., name, address, passport info., arrival info, and stated purpose: "For Retirement"), Must be Over Age 50, 2000 Baht, Copy of all relevant pages of Passport (i.e. Facepage, and Entry Stamp); copy of TM30 (that is the required arrival form that is either completed by your Hotel or Condo, or you do yourself at Immig. Office w/i 24 hrs of arrival); copy of proof of residency (Rental Agreement, or Hotel Reservation -- some offices may not allow if only staying at a HOtel); and most importantly proof of the money in Bank (Copy of Bank Book, and a certified Letter from the Bank usually costing 100 Baht). Above is all simple and straightforward, so no need for spending money on a Visa Service. iv. If all docs. in order, Immig. Office will put a Sticker in your Passport that you are "under consideration", and a date to return to pick up your Visa Stamp (prior to your Stay expiration). v. Next, when you have 30 days remaining on the Non-O (and your Bank Money has "seeded" 60 days -- i.e. stayed on deposit), you go back to Immig. Office to apply for the 1-yr Retirement Extension. Requirements.: TM7 (Req. for Extension of Stay); 1900 Baht, and all other same docs. as above (newly updated of course). And, you will receive 1-yr Extension of Stay -- usually same day, if you arrive in morning. Note: For both processes above, your Bank Passbook Balance must be updated same date as application, and the Bank Letter should be no more than 7 days old -- easiest just to do both same day just before going to Immig. Office). vi. Finally, you should/must get a Re-Entry Stamp -- easiest/best to just do immediately after you get your 1-yr. Extension stamp. It can be single Re-Entry for 1000 Baht, or 3800 Baht for unlimited multiple Re-Entry. The Re-Entry Stamp allows you to leave and return to Thailand, without invalidating your 1-yr Extension. If you fail to do that, then your Extension of Stay is nullified, and you must start the process again. (IMPORTANT: If you want or need to leave Thailand while on the initial 90-Day Non-O, same thing -- must get Re-Entry Stamp.). Hope that is all clear.
Robert ************
@Don *********
Welcome. My pleasure.
Don **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank your very much
Robert ************
P.S. Don't forget your "Thumbs Up" on the actual post above! Thanks.
Robert ************
@Don *********
Per your PM request for my "Instructions" on how to apply for Retirement Visa/Extension, I prefer to publicly Post for everyone's benefit. See Below.
Don **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Everything is ok now he has given the copies I needed 🙂 After I told the wife to tell him - no deal means no rent!
Robert ************
@Don *********
Like the saying goes: "Money Talks, Bullshit Walks". 😂
Peter *********
you can also register yourself online to do the TM30 - as others have said - copy of housebook and landlords ID
เจสัน ******
Section 37 is your responsibility to file a TM30, if the landlord does not comply with Section 38 of the Thai Immigration Act 1979.

There are fines for both parties for non- compliance.
Steve *******
You can file it yourself with a copy of the owners housebook and ID card.
Paul ********
Paul ********
No
Jorge ****
My landlord gave me a powed of attorney doc to file my address first time with imm. No prob.
John ********
If you can get the landlord to give you permission in righting then you can do it yourself
Stuart *********
Not sure of the rules in CM but in other offices you can file a TM30 by yourself but you’ll need quite a bit of paperwork. What paperwork will differ on who actually owns the house. If a Thai you’ll need their ID card and tabien Baan (house book) signed by them. A rental contract and copies of your passport and entry stamp and such. If owned by a foreigner or a company then that list will differ immensely.
Bernd ***********
@Stuart ********
I would use the landlords paperwork to apply for the Section 38 app password so he can file the TM 30 online.
Stuart *********
@Bernd **********
Yes online is way easier.
**********************************************
Bernd ***********
@Stuart ********
yep, webpage or App
Stuart *********
If the landlord doesn’t come with you you’ll need a power of attorney form filled out with 10 baht of tax stamps attached. Forms will be available at the office and almost certainly somewhere nearby will sell the stamps.
Don **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you all for your help.
Don **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank
Phil ******
@Don *********
you can file the TM30.
Don **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does anyone know which que I need to be in at immigration at Jomtien to file TM30. Is it the long one that leads inside the main building or the outside one they use for 90 day report.
Gareth ********
@Don *********
inside the building, queue up get the form, fill it in, get required photocopies, then it’s the small office on the left as you enter the building.
Don **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you.
Kool *******
@Don *********
lots don't want to file a TM30, as they are afraid the government will find out they don't pay taxes on the rental profits. You can file it.
Paul *******
It is Thai law. Report him to Thai Immigration.
Robert ************
@Paul ******
Sure, good luck with that. 😂
Alistair **********
@Paul ******
is it really worth pissing off your landlord? If they even bothered to do anything it would likely be a small fine maybe 2000B
Don **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
No , it's not mate , it's the last thing that I want to do. That's why I want to know if me and the wife can do it at immigration.
Marc ********
@Don *********
Fine 1600b if the landlord fails to do the report
Alistair **********
@Don *********
your other option is to find a cheap hotel and use them to get a TM30.
Steven ***************
@Don *********
. You won't be getting any type of visa extension without a tm30 registered. So the choice is yours I guess.
Don **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok I will .
Don **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
It's a nice house and my Thai wife does not want to move also the landlord would have no trouble getting someone else as many people were asking about it. Somehow I thought this would happen with a Thai landlord.
Brett **************
The landlord has to do it, put some pressure on this person and say you will rent another place if they don't!

Might be others ways around it but will most likely cost quite a few THB.
Blake ***********
@Brett *************
it doesn't cost anything to file it. the landlord can do it online as well. They're just being lazy. You can do it yourself, it's just a lot more work.
Brett **************
@Blake **********
each immigration is different, and if you read it properly the landlord doesn't seem to want to help...in that case you can't do it yourself!
Blake ***********
@Brett *************
in BKK at the immigration office all I needed was a copy of the lease agreement with my signature and their signature and a copy of my passport, maybe a passport photo to, plus filled out the TM 30 paperwork.
Robert ************
@Brett *************
Yes he can; but still need a little cooperation from Landlord. Need copy of his ID and House Book, then OP can register himself online.
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