What are the consequences of not filing a TM30 form for a tourist visa extension in Thailand?

Feb 21, 2023
2 years ago
George *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just been to Nonthaburi immigration..still here on fact..to extend my tourist visa for 30 days..only to be quizzed about why my friend who I am staying with didn't inform immigration via a long winded form, within 24 hours, that I am staying there...and wanted the form filling in and a charge of 800 baht. Can someone enlighten me please, I knew nothing about this, and middle of last year was never asked for this when extending. I had to tell the embassy in UK where I was staying to get the visa. Have I missed something here. Still in the immigration...impossible I suppose...but a quick answer would be greatly appreciated..
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user encountered issues at Nonthaburi immigration while trying to extend their tourist visa due to the lack of a TM30 form, which is required for notifying immigration about a foreigner's stay. The immigration office insisted on a payment of 800 baht as a fine for not filing the form within 24 hours of arrival. Multiple comments suggest that while the TM30 has been a requirement for years, its enforcement varies across immigration offices in Thailand. Some foreigners shared their experiences with fines and the unexpected nature of this requirement, highlighting confusion among both expatriates and Thai residents regarding the rule.
Paul *******
Just a minute here...there's a separate Nonthaburi immigration office? The Bangkok one on Chaeng Wattana road is actually in Nonthaburi province! So why isn't that one considered the same?
Mart ****
i didn't pay it. was asked for 800 baht. so i put the immigration lady on the phone with my hotel and the hotel made a tm30 entry there and then and sent it to me to print and got extension.
Andrew ********
I went to regerster and they said no need too, I visit every year and am registered eith my future wife in our house
Andrew ********
Normally I have to report in
David **********
You need to check with owner of accomodation that they have registered your stay, one of those annoying rules thats usually overlooked.
Victor ***********
If you make many visits to a Thai residence (like perhaps a long time partner or spouse) there is an awful Thai government website for residential registration of a foreigner.
***********************************
I registered my wife and her house (uploading pictures of house document, her passport and pics of house) and every trip I will log in and file the "TM30" online. Be warned, this website may be the worst site in the world, however you might be able to figure things out and register when you visit there without filing paperwork or standing in line somewhere.
Rob ********
@Victor **********
thank you , never knew this , usually go

Local police station and pay my coffee money , saves day trip to Khon Kaen but worth it , useful information , cheers
Bernd ***********
@Victor **********
you can also use the "Section 38" app. to file your TM30. Very easy to use. Have a look at Google play store.
Mike ********
I got a load of flack after posting on here a simalar situation. Came in on a 60 tr visa, went to local Kamphaengphet imagratiom office (very good and helpful staff) had my Thai g/f with me and had to pay out an extra
*****
bht plus the 1900 bht 30 day extension fee as I’ve been staying at her Residense for a few weeks, pay it and go, arguing with imo isn’t going to do you any favours,.
Lee ******
@Mike *******
…me too…
George *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mike *******
...I did....
Cory **********
Yeah the tm30 is an annoying mistake. Even hotels are guilty of not doing tm30s outside of tourist areas. Luckily only 800 baht fine.
Martin *********
Your landlord friend should have registered you its a legal requirement. 800 you have got off light . Pay up and run.
Paul ********
Cheap Bt
*****
at Jomtien??

Welcome to the Land of Back Handers
Jon ***********
Steve *******
TM30. The fine for not paying is 800-1600bt. The owner of the property should pay this for not submitting the TM30 (alien in residence) within 24 hours of your arrival. It's been the law for many years but only in the last few years has it been enforced.
Paul *******
No, it's been enforced on and off for many years depending on the immigration office. Became a big issue in 2019, then it was made a bit easier but it could be that some power hungry immigration offices have since gone back to the stricter application of the rules that applied when the 2019 controversy went into effect.
Robert *********
@Steve ******
I have a condo that I rent year for the year and travel back and forth from the US and have never been asked for a TM30 when I do my 30 day extension.

Should I be filing a TM30 every time a I enter the country?
Steve *******
@Robert ********
In theory yes but If you're not asked for it I wouldn't worry about it. I've never filed one nor has my landlord.
Robert *********
@Steve ******
Thank You
VaiAna **********
When it comes to Immigration no need to question this and that , just fill out the form , pay 800 baht and be on your way
Steve *******
@VaiAna *********
Plus 1900bt for the extention!
George *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@VaiAna *********
thanks for that useful advice !!!!
VaiAna **********
@George ********
my pleasure
Dennis ***********
Happened to me,went to visit a friend in Korat for 2 nights(from PATTAYA) I was 2-3 days away from extending my visa in PATTAYA my friend said he was going next am to Korat Immigration to do his 90 day stamp and we could do my extension there.During processing was asked my residence (gave my PATTAY Hotel) was promptly ushered to a supervisor and my friend &his Thai wife were give a 45 min dressing down as to why they had not registered me at Immigration on staying with them?The Thai wife explained that she had NEVER heard or read of this requirement.She was charged the Baht 800 (I paid),after the gestapo interrogation a young female offer took us back to extension desk and proceeded to issue my extension (she took me aside and said you have done nothing wrong and that MOST Thai people are totally unaware of the rule and that the supervisor was rude and should have just explained to the Thai wife the requirements and left it at that.My Baht 800 probably went into his pocket.
George *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dennis **********
...I know the feeling they sure as hell don't all smile in the land of smiles...twice I have been to Nonthaburi immigration..certainly won't be using them again...and would not recommend...most unfriendly and unhelpful..
Gordon ********
Varies from office, they don’t seem to ask in BKK, but yeah you got to pay that.
Henry *********
It's called a TM30. If you don't pay the fine you won't get the extension.
Paul ********
@Henry ********
why its Agent or Landlord Problem not Tourist
Robert **********
@Paul *******
because you are the foreigner
Minh *******
@Paul *******
but agents and landlords don’t need visas. So it becomes the tourist’s problem. If he/she doesn’t pay the fine, no visa extension I guess.
Paul ********
@Minh ******
Ok send email Big Joke?? He would love a Bit of Pattaya Action
Minh *******
@Paul *******
no idea where Big Joke wants to go for action. Maybe you can take him.
Paul ********
@Minh ******
Bye Bye
Brandon ************
The landlord or property owner is required to report the arrival of a foreigner within 24 hours of arrival. This is called the TM30 and is a requirement for extension at many immigration offices. The fine for this not being done is 1600 baht but is usually cut in half and charged 800 baht instead.
Paul ********
@Brandon ***********
Why Fine the Tourist??
Paul ********
%100 But its a shake down??

Land of Back Handers

Stay Sexy
Nigel *********
@Paul *******
just deduct the 800thb from next month's rent.
Paul ********
@Nigel ********
Really?? Fine Bt1600
Nigel *********
@Paul *******
'suppose you could always ask to go to court over it.
Paul ********
@Nigel ********
Tell when your in Thailand Troll
Nigel *********
@Paul *******
I'll send you a pm when I touch down
Paul ********
@Nigel ********
Ok mug TROLL
Brandon ************
@Paul *******
because that's the person standing in front of them
Paul ********
@Brandon ***********
So its not Legal??
Brandon ************
@Paul *******
there is a fine for not having a TM30. You can argue about who pays the fine and leave with no extension, or pay the fine and get your extension.
George *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
...thank you...so if you stay in a hotel they have to notify immigration also...or are there different rules for this
Dana *******
@George ********
Why do you think a hotel makes a copy/photo of your passport ?
George *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dana ******
I wouldn't know....I am not staying in a hotel !!
Dana *******
@George ********
This is the case in ALL countries in the world. They have to announce you to the authorities.
Terry ********
@Dana ******
I can assure you that they do not do it in the USA.
George *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terry *******
...nor the UK..the person talks crap..not worth replying to...I got my answer perfectly and logically explained in the very first post from Brandon Thurkettle ..for which I thanked him...interesting to hear of other people's experiences..but , as always, some people like to start an argument, or ridicule the question...Best ignore 'em !!
Brandon ************
@George ********
Yes, that's why they ask you for your passport.
George *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
okay, many thanks for your quick response...I wasn't aware of this...last August when I extended no one mentioned it then...so didn't occur to me
Nick ************
@George ********
dont forget that if you stay away in a hotel you have to file tm30 again when you get home.
Terry ********
@Nick ***********
this is no longer true.
Nick ************
@Terry *******
I can assure you it is as I could not do my 90 day report until I had filed another tm30 three weeks after the last one because they could see I had stayed in a hotel in Udon thani in between.
Terry ********
@Nick ***********
different immigration offices interpret the law differently. I can assure you that the last time I did it, they told me it wasn’t necessary.
Dave **********
@Nick ***********
Hua Hin doesn't require that you file TM 30 when you return home for a in country Hotel Stay. Been doing this 22 years and wife only filed one TM30 for me since they started pushing the form some years ago. .

I just went to a 10 year LTR Visa so my Immigration Office is now in Bangkok, at the BOI Office, so things could change on my yearly sign in.

I just went to a LTR visa
Nick ************
@Dave *********
they did not used to require it from me but a new computerised system now lets them see where I have stayed.
Dave **********
@Nick ***********
as I said Jan and Feb 2023 two different Immigration office's and no hassle about not updating TM 30 after Hotel Stays. Next check due in Feb 2024 so until then......
Nick ************
@Dave *********
I thought everybody had to do 90 day report regardless of what visa they hold.
Dave **********
@Nick ***********
LTR, SEE LINK , is yearly reporting

**********************
Nick ************
@Dave *********
OK. I have learnt something.
Dave **********
@Nick ***********
its though BOI all done on line except picking up the visa. Pay only when picking up visa.
Dave **********
@Nick ***********
did a regular 90 day in Jan no problem and had a hotel stay in Mid Dec. with many other hotel stays.

When getting my LTR 10 year visa this month still no problems. They did change my next report to one year from the date of the 10 year so we will see in a year.
George *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Nick Cartwright..really, okay thanks for that
George *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
To update...they are insisting I pay 800 baht..
Brett *********
@George ********
usually a 1600 baht fine
Martin *********
@George ********
pay and run. Result
Phil ******
@George ********
lucky it's not more SO PAY IT. You are referring to the TM30 FORM.
Daniel ************
@George ********
of course - normal - u didnt report ur address where to stay and your friend didnt too
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