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Do I need to report to immigration if I travel to another province while on a retirement visa in Thailand?
Retirement VisaTM30 ReportingThai ImmigrationHotel Check-In PoliciesVisa ExtensionExpats in ThailandTravel Regulations
Nov 12, 2024
a year ago
Gordon *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI am on a retirement visa my 4th year in Thailand and just been informed that
When travelling to a different province and using my passport when checking into hotels it’s recorded
And on my return home I have to report into my local immigration office within 24hours
Is this something other people have been required to do
Cheers Gordon
When travelling to a different province and using my passport when checking into hotels it’s recorded
And on my return home I have to report into my local immigration office within 24hours
Is this something other people have been required to do
Cheers Gordon
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the requirement for expats on a retirement visa in Thailand to report their whereabouts when traveling within the country. It highlights differing practices across immigration offices regarding the TM30 reporting system, particularly in relation to hotel stays in different provinces. While some expats share that they have never been required to file a new TM30 for domestic travel, others have faced varying degrees of enforcement depending on their local immigration policies. Many comments suggest using a Thai driving license instead of a passport at hotel check-ins to potentially simplify the process.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
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Priya **********
What is a TM30 and do you have to go to immigration office each time or do you email them when you leave your place of residence?
Michael *******
@Priya *********
every time you stay at a hotel or Thai address you update the system with the new location, hotel or landlord will do it for you if you have a long term residence, you need to update everytime you stay in a hotel domestically otherwise that will be the last address on the system and can give you grief when you renew your visa.Reply to
Michael *******
Reply
Jack ******
True. One night in BK and my online 90 day reporting was screwed but drive through or Central Festival with TM47 form, no problem!
Chris *******
The smartest and safest path is to always update your TM30 before having any interactions at immigration.
So before you do your extension, you update your TM30.
This way your information is current and correct, raises no questions.
**our personal practice is whenever we travel anywhere, we come home and update our TM30**
So before you do your extension, you update your TM30.
This way your information is current and correct, raises no questions.
**our personal practice is whenever we travel anywhere, we come home and update our TM30**
Joe **********
It would be easier to just go and live in a country where they actually want you instead of staying in a country that does it's very best to welcome your wallet but not you!
Michael *******
@Joe *********
what are you waiting for ? Lots of options out there……👌Reply to
Michael *******
Reply
Terary **********
I stay in a condo and they do it for me for 100 baht or something.. You can do it yourself if you want. I choose to do it regardless if it's necessary or not. It doesn't hurt anything and costs next to nothing.
Ian **********
Some offices wrongly ask you to redo your TM30 after travelling outside your province, I think Chiang Mai is one.
Gordon *********
ORIGINAL POSTERIan **********
@Gordon ********
My office is Nakhon Sawan and they're very good. My friend came to visit using a visa-exempt in February so my wife, as home owner, went to immigration and registered the TM30. My friend and I both went on a tour of Vietnam and I used a re-entry permit but he simply returned with a new visa-exempt. My wife went to immigration to ask if she needed to do another TM30 for us both. The senior IO said yes for my friend as he has returned using a new permission to stay and his old TM30 was cancelled when his last visa-exempt entry was cancelled (when he left the country). However, as I was still using my original permission to stay (marriage Ext) and had used a re-entry permit my TM 30 was not cancelled. As long as I returned to the same address it did not need to be done again.Reply to
Ian **********
Reply
Gary ******
Been here 20 years and have never worried about travel where I wanted, where I want, or when. I’ve never been ask to verify with Immigration. Yes the hotels will copy your passport, but don’t worry about it.
Mike *******
When I lived in Bangkok for three years up until recently. I stayed at major hotels in Hua Hin twice and once in Pattaya. I never had to register with immigration regarding the TM30. And my information never changed
Wayne **********
No
Shane *******
Sounds more like being on bail from the 👮 station 😂 . Jeez just enjoy vacation don't worry about trivial B S
Joseph *********
I lived in Chiang Mai on a retirement visa for several years.
Traveled a lot inside and outside Thailand. ....never a problem.
Did 4 month reporting twice in 7 years.
Traveled a lot inside and outside Thailand. ....never a problem.
Did 4 month reporting twice in 7 years.
Tom ***********
I give my Thai driving license foor identification upon hotel check-in. Has never failed to be accepted.
Michael *******
@Tom **********
it has your passport number which is used the register TM30Michael *******
Beware , the gatekeepers in Room 103 now check the system to see if TM30 is up to date , I was there yesterday and a few folks got turned around - I do mine at the drive thru before u submit renewal saves losing my place in the Q
Tom ***********
@Michael ******
you are correct. It doesn't have my nationality. I use the Phuket immigration office. I have never filed a TM30.Reply to
Tom ***********
Reply
Terence ******
Maybe don’t use your passport and just use your drivers license. I’ve even travelled on Bangkok air with and expired drivers licence. If immigration has a problems just offer some tea money. It’s not that hard
Brandon ************
@Terence *****
Thai drivers license has passport number on it. That's about all they need to do a TM30 for you. That's why they accept it for hotel checkin.Terence ******
@Brandon ***********
and my Thai drivers licence had an old passport number so they don’t checkTerence ******
@Brandon ***********
ok but I’ve never in 18 years had to do a TM30 except when entering Thailand and I have traveled extensively in the countryMichael *******
@Terence *****
depends on your immigration office and their mood on the day, for several years Phuket never bothered with it , then last year turned up and there was a young chap sitting there with a screen checking as they screened our paperwork, and pointed out my last address was a hotel in Hua Hin - asked me to go next door to update my TM30 before they would process my retirement visa renewal - I am due back there today, and I got my TM30 updated yesterday in preparation. I have been at the same address for 5 years ………..Reply to
Michael *******
Reply
Knocker *******
Spent almost 20 years in Thailand either on a Marriage Visa, then last 15 a retirement Visa, travelled many time throughout Thailand, including work abroad, never had to report except the usual 90 Day upon the date of entry
Scott ********
I live in Chon Buri province and a couple of weeks ago we went to a hotel in Phetchaburi while away for a weekend.
I was asked for my passport but I gave them my Thai driving licence as ID and also explained I already live here. They were ok about that. I can't speak for anywhere else nor indeed any other hotel's policies but that's what I intend to continue to do unless otherwise asked.
Given my wife is also British and she wasn't the booking person, they didn't even ask for her credentials at all so I'd be a bit miffed if the person making the booking was the sole recipient of any policy like this.
I was asked for my passport but I gave them my Thai driving licence as ID and also explained I already live here. They were ok about that. I can't speak for anywhere else nor indeed any other hotel's policies but that's what I intend to continue to do unless otherwise asked.
Given my wife is also British and she wasn't the booking person, they didn't even ask for her credentials at all so I'd be a bit miffed if the person making the booking was the sole recipient of any policy like this.
Brandon ************
@Scott *******
Your Thai Drivers License has your passport number on it. They can still file a TM30 with that information.Scott ********
As I said, I did explain to the hotel reception that I already live here so as far as I'm aware no report was filed on our little trip away,
I get domestic travel insurance when we go on trips within the Kingdom so we're covered for baggage, cancellations, etc and that's all reflected in my home address here in Bang Saray. That's probably irrelevant too but it all adds to the fact I live here but I'm visiting there all within the country.
@Bra****
and nothing has come to light since. I get domestic travel insurance when we go on trips within the Kingdom so we're covered for baggage, cancellations, etc and that's all reflected in my home address here in Bang Saray. That's probably irrelevant too but it all adds to the fact I live here but I'm visiting there all within the country.
Reply to
Scott ********
Reply
Andrew ********
I asked my local Immigration Office and they said the only time my wife needed to report my address was if I was returning from a trip abroad and there was no need to report when returning from trips within Thailand.
Nigel **************
@Andrew *******
yep same in PetchabunReply to
Nigel **************
Reply
Ling *****
That's not quite right. I have a long term apartment in Pattaya and went to Krabi for a week and stayed in 2 different hotels which would have registered me. Then I returned back to my apartment. A week before my stamp was going to expire I went to Jomtien Immigration to extend my visa and with my original TM30 I extended my visa without question or problems.
David *******
Some times yes
Wayne ********
My immigration office in Phichit told me if I left a holiday away from my home or stayed somewhere in a hotel and came back to my home and phichit that I did not have to report within 24 hours 
Bernard *****
In Pattaya, if I come back to my adress they don't need.. and don't want to make the TM30
Tony ********
According to the law (2020), if you are returning to the same location that you are registered at via the TM30 reporting system within the validity of your stay ( prior to the recorded checkout date) there is no legal requirement to update. However if you need to interact with an IMO, certain offices require an updated version after international travel and/or inter province travel. On a retirement visa there should be no need to reregister if you havent previously had issues with your 90 day reporting.
Jay ***********
@Tony *******
and we all know about how to and when to interpret the laws 🤣Reply to
Jay ***********
Reply
David ********
I reside in the Sukhothai area, asked the Sukhothai Immigration office if I needed a new TM30 following a night away in a hotel, their response was only if I leave Thailand. Effectively if you have registered at a permanent address and return to the same address, in the Sukhothai Immigration area no need for new TM30
Nigel **************
@David *******
and the same in Petchabun. Asked them only last weekLing *****
@David *******
that's the same at Jomtien Office.Reply to
Ling *****
Reply
Linda ******
Gordon *********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks guys for the information I will just get my wife to organise the hotels from now on
Roberto *******
@Gordon ********
they will generally ask for all passports, so that won't really help.Gary ******
@Gordon ********
travelfish.orgGiraffe *********
@Gordon ********
Hi I use my Thai drivers licence no problems with itBrandon ************
@Giraffe ********
That has your passport number on it so they can still file a TM30 for youReply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Steven *********
@Gordon ********
I used to do the same thing and then the hotels started asking for my id no matter who registered for the room.Wayne ********
@Steven ********
that is correct because it is their duty to report any foreigners that stay in their facility to report the stay to Immigration .Steven *********
@Wayne *******
For many years they never used to and my wife's id was sufficent.Reply to
Steven *********
Reply
Richard *********
Yes
Jay ***********
In Pai they told me if I left the province and came back to file a new TM30 After they were tired of seeing me they said never mind . Depending on your location best to go in and ask your IO and be polite 😎
Douglas *******
Technically it is your landlady that must do the TM30 or hotel but for some reason it is us that gets fined. It can be done online too. My immigration only requires it after I return from a different country not from a different province. But I always now use my pink card at airport and hotels now.
John ********
@Douglas ******
the pink card is new to me. How does it help to use it at airports and hotels? Is it because only a passport will kick in the need for a TM 30? Where is the pink card issued?Kim *********
@John *******
local amphur after having acquired the yellow bookReply to
Kim *********
Reply
Ruth *******
@Douglas ******
pink card?Douglas *******
@Ruth ******
thai ID for us.Reply to
Douglas *******
Reply
Mike ********
Use Airbnb. Problem solved.
Ingvar *******
@Mike *******
Airbnb, extremely few in on the country 😪Reply to
Ingvar *******
Reply
Robby ************
Let mama sign in
Allan ********
@Robby ***********
good point. We always do that and I’ve never been asked for my passport upcountry. Not sure if the big chains’ hotels will ask for both to check in though.Mike ********
@Allan *******
3 times staying in Hua Hin over the last year Resorts insisted on my passport.Apparently they had visits from Immigration informing this was now compulsory in HH.Of course it varies to where you stay.Allan ********
@Mike *******
indeed it varies. I’ve been to several provinces this year. Not one hotel has asked for my passport. But I was with Thai partner who booked and checked in. HH is a bit posher. I stayed there in August and the resort insisted on passport. I think it depends on location, size of hotels etc etc. Also the way local immigration choose to enforce it or not.Mike ********
@Allan *******
Always been the same in my 22 years here Immigration offices throughout the country act independently. It was one of the resorts owners who told me about the crackdown.Same with banks and opening an account,must be very confusing for recent arrivals.Allan ********
@Mike *******
I’ve been here the same amount of time as you. Found it the same. Every office does their own thing. Change in leadership and it all changes. Some officers very competent others not. Yes banks can be annoying when you can do something simply at one branch and then have enormous difficulty doing the same thing at another branch.Reply to
Allan ********
Reply
Pinaki *****
Just spend your first and last day in a hotel .. and any time u have to go to immigration for extension.. spend a day or two in a hotel.. problem solved :) there is apparently an app btw.. don't remember the name unfortunately where u can have your landlords details entered in case u use a long term rental .. however the hotel hack worked for me pretty good
Ntujdeb *************
@Pinaki ****
Please elaborate. I am so confused. TIAPinaki *****
@Ntujdeb ************
when u book with a hotel.. it's the hotels burden to fill up your info and inform immigration. But if u let say booked ur airbnb or rental , it kind of falls in u . So let's say u have a visa extension coming up .. better to book a hotel and have them fill up ur TM 30 .. Do make sure to ask the reception if they can give u any acknowledgement receipt for the TM30 as the immigration office will ask u for it at the time of visa extension ..Ntujdeb *************
@Pinaki ****
Thank you very much for explaining the nitty gritty...Reply to
Ntujdeb *************
Reply
Richard *****
@Pinaki ****
I believe it’s called a ‘Section 38’ app. used by landlords and hotels to register guests.Reply to
Richard *****
Reply
Lauren ******************
Yes we are all officially supposed to do this. In reality most people have no idea about it.
Ken ***********
@Lauren *****************
if they have no need to get extensions or visit Thai immigration, no worries; otherwise, immigration may certainly request a copy of your TM30Lauren ******************
@Ken **********
exactly, my accountant does mine for me as and when I require oneReply to
Lauren ******************
Reply
Ruud ******************
Ask your immigration office what there policy is. Easy
Lion *****************************
Ive already posted the source...why dont you read all the posts..
Lion *****************************
Thanks for your opinion..
Cliff *********
@Lion ****************************
what is the source of your warning?Lion *****************************
@Cliff ********
Who said its a warning..?? It is straight screendhot from a google search..Todd *********
@Cliff ********
he likes the AI interpretation apparently 😂Lion *****************************
you just like being a pain in the ass... boring life
Lion *****************************
@Todd ********
Read both screen shots...twatWallace ******
@Lion ****************************
name calling reflects badly on you. Especially with your business name.Reply to
Wallace ******
Reply
Cliff *********
@Lion ****************************
your post suggests the TM30 24 hour registration is being enforced now and was not hardly enforced previously. What is the source ?Something more than "They say"…..
Reply to
Cliff *********
Reply
Lion *****************************
@Cliff ********
Google search.. Immigration notices re is tm30 required... quite easy actuallyReply to
Lion *****************************
Reply
Cubi ******
Getting tougher due to many Chinese and Russians moving to Thailand
Stuart *********
@Cubi *****
What has that got to do with the price of cheese? What’s getting tougher? The need or not need to file a TM30? As stated it’s office specific. Nothing to do with Russians or Chinese.Cubi ******
@Stuart ********
thinkRichard **************
@Cubi *****
You sir have what we call in English, an "agenda". This will need to be worked out inside your head.Stuart *********
@Cubi *****
I’ve thought. Thanks. The answer is much clearer now.Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Stuart *********
That’s going to be specific to the immigration office you use. Some require a new TM30 if you stay a night away from your home. Some don’t care if you travel within Thailand and return home. Some don’t seem to care if you travel overseas and return home.
John **********
@Stuart ********
and from time to time the immigration office changes its requirements. Originally I didn't have to file even when returning from abroad, then I did, and now it's necessary to do it whenever I travel outside the province. I now try not to provide my passport to hotels even if they ask for it.James ********
@John *********
I use my thai driving licence for any id be it domestic travel or hotels. Never a problem.Thomas ********
They have two vast warehouses stuffed to the rafters with complete3d TM30s. A few years ago they said they were going to stop requiring them because they don't have the resources to follow up on them.
Thomas ********
@James *******
you realise that your Thai driving licence has your passport number on it!Gregor **********
@James *******
actually, your passport number can be seen on your Thai drivers license. They don't necessarily need your nationality ti file a TM30Stuart *********
@Gregor *********
Yes they do. It’s one of the four required fields. Passport, first name, nationality and sex. All other fields are not actually required.John **********
@James *******
yep, that's what I insist hotels use now. No matter how much they ask for my passportGary ********
@John *********
it has your passport number on it....so if they right this down on their system it is just the sameJohn **********
@Gary *******
but not your nationalityReply to
John **********
Reply
Ralph *******
@Stuart ********
Technically a new TM30 is required. Whether or not they care us another matter. These things vary so much between offices.Priya **********
@Ralph ******
so if you stay privately its ok just in hotels? I want to get a retirement visa, too. This sounds so complicated to have to report every time you leave Bangkok. What about with the elite visa?Ralph *******
@Priya *********
If you are staying privately, the house owner can file a TM30 online. Supposed to do this within 24 hours.Reply to
Ralph *******
Reply
Stuart *********
@Ralph ******
What the law states and what interpretation of that the office uses can vary vastly.Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
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