Answered4 years ago
What are the TM30 registration rules for expats in Thailand, and who is responsible for fines if not registered on time?
Hey so my boyfriend and I renting a condo for a year, he is registered on the tm30 but I am not. Now the landlord says it would be my fault and it should have been registered within 3 days the contract was made. The contract is under my boyfriends name tho. And now he says if I register I have to pay a fine from 1,600 baht ?? Is that correct ? And how can I register myself online ?
Answer summary
The TM30 registration process requires that a foreigner notify immigration within 24 hours of staying at a new residence. While it is the landlord's responsibility to register the tenant (foreigner) with the local immigration office, the foreigner also holds a personal obligation to ensure this is completed. If one fails to register on time, there may be fines associated with late registration, typically directed towards the landlord rather than the tenant. However, experiences shared in the community suggest that officials can be lenient. To register, you can visit a local immigration office, or if necessary, use the TM30 report slip from a hotel if you choose to stay there temporarily.
58 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Alex ********
*************************************************************
Nesmie ******************
@Alex *******
is this applied for tourist foreiners too? We are planning to stay in pattaya for a 8days only. ThanksNesmie ******************
Got it. Thanks so much guys for your replies and clarification. Helped a lot.
Alex ********
@Nesmie *****************
if you stay in a hotel they do it without you even knowing
Clarissa *****
OP@Nesmie *****************
yes but most likely they won’t bother to do it hahaClarissa *****
OP@Nesmie *****************
nope you only need it for extension for the visa or anything like that 🙂Nesmie ******************
@Clarissa ****
would it affect us when we leave Thailand if they wont report it?
Brook ********
ANY time you change your place if residence, even for one night, it is YOUR responsibility to notify immigration WITHIN 24 hours. If there is no local immigration office you have to notify via the local police station.
The landlord or hotel is obligated to do this for you, but that doesn’t relieve you of your responsibility under Thai law.
The landlord or hotel is obligated to do this for you, but that doesn’t relieve you of your responsibility under Thai law.
Alex ********
@Brook *******
nearly right.However it is the responsibility of the landlord/property manager or hotel to report it.
You only need a copy of your TM30 at things like hospitals etc
Alex ********
SMH....and you continue reading it says who is responsible for notifying.....
Brook ********
@Alex *******
From your own reference:“Section 37 of the Immigration Act, B.E. 2522 (1979) also stipulates that A FOREIGNER [emphasis added] residing in Thailand should notify the police station if he/she visits another province for more than 24 hours from the time of arrival. This would mean that a short weekend trip from Bangkok to Phuket would cause more red tape, even when you have already done all the basic TM30 reporting.”
Not only is Thai law clear that the foreigner is (also) responsible for reporting (and doing so within 24 hours of moving), but the foreigner also pays fines for failure to report.
Brook ********
@Alex *******
I respectfully disagree. I’ve seen the Thai law, but I’m too lazy to relocate it.Alex ********
@Brook *******
I already put a link on this thread.
Terary **********
Immigration told me I would have to pay the fine and for everyday I didn't do it. However, they are pretty reasonable and didn't make me pay. As recommended, use a cheap hotel.
Clarissa *****
OP@Terary *********
was that in pattaya ?Terary **********
@Clarissa ****
YepClarissa *****
OP@Terary *********
ok still really crazy that we have to make sure it’s done to be honest 😅 it’s the landlords fault. Probably just using a cheap hotel tbh 😅
Andrew *****
There is a fine for him if he didn’t register you but no fine for you
Clarissa *****
OP@Andrew ****
like do I have to pay it that day ?Andrew *****
@Clarissa ****
there was no fee when my wife registered meClarissa *****
OP@Andrew ****
ok but if they want can I refuse it ? Because like you said it’s not my fault.Clarissa *****
OP@Andrew ****
haha I knew it so if I go register myself now with the contract will I have to pay it or him ?Andrew *****
@Clarissa ****
there the problem I think he has to register you my wife had to register me
Alessandro **********
If anything else fails, go and book a hotel room for one night. Ask the staff to hand you the tm30 report slip. You need tm30 only for extensions of visa and 90 days report anyway.
Stefan *******
Try
********************
Carl ***********
Isn't that the Landlords responsibility?
Adam ********
@Carl **********
correct. Landlords responsibility. No fines if done late. But when they do it can only back date 24hrs. We faced this when I went for non-o visa extension. Had been on road trip months prior and of the 20+ hotels we stayed only 1 reported it and when we returned and applied extension they asked we resubmit luckily the "landlord" is my wife so could do it on the spot.Clarissa *****
OP@Adam *******
ok so I won’t be paying a fine then tomorrow when I report myself ? 😅Clarissa *****
OP@Adam *******
hmm ok I’ll just try tomorrow if it won’t work I’ll tell them 😀 what a headache hahahaAdam ********
@Clarissa ****
no you won't. But the landlord is the one that needs to fill in the details. So for condo tenants it can be a struggle to get them to do sometimes. There was a petition to stop it last year for private residences but haven't heard anymore of it.Carl ***********
@Clarissa ****
nope shouldn't be :-) beers are on you *****
Garrett ***********
@Carl **********
It is.Clarissa *****
OP@Carl **********
that’s what I thought 😕Garrett ***********
No, you need to be registered within 24 hours of staying there. The landlord just needs to go register you, there's no fine or fee.
Clarissa *****
OP@Garrett **********
hey I got another question, we stayed in a condo before how long is the tm30 still valued for ? Because we both didn’t register in here? Can we just use this then? 😀Garrett ***********
@Clarissa ****
yes you can, technically as long as you still live at the address they're valid for years.Clarissa *****
OP@Garrett **********
oh no really ? 😞Garrett ***********
@Clarissa ****
Yes, just say you still live there. Only time it matters is if you’re getting a certificate of residency, because they send it to the address listed on your TM30.Clarissa *****
OP@Garrett **********
ok but we actually don’t anymore but like I said they didn’t file for a tm30 in our new condo. So we could use our old one?Clarissa *****
OP@Garrett **********
ok it has been over 20 days because I asked the office in our condo and I am not registered they said so I asked the owner and he said that me 😕Garrett ***********
@Clarissa ****
That doesn't matter though, just go submit at tm30. Can say you moved in today.Karim ***************
@Clarissa ****
was the other condo in Pattaya? If yes then, yea just use that 😂 I’ve done that loads of times. As long as the TM30 you have is in the same area as your immigration, you can still use it.Clarissa *****
OP@Karim **************
hey I got another question, we stayed in a condo before how long is the tm30 still valued for ? Because we both didn’t register in here? Can we just use this then? 😀
Nick *******
@Clarissa ****
Yes most immigration offices will need that.Clarissa *****
OP@Nick ******
but you need it for an extension?Nick *******
@Garrett **********
you dont need a TM30 for a certificate of residence.Clarissa *****
OPThem*
Clarissa *****
OP@Karim **************
ok I explained it to then again if not I’ll do it like that 😀Karim ***************
@Clarissa ****
in Chiang mai, I’ve just walked into the TM30 office on a couple of occasions and, just given the address and they’ve given me my tm30 for free. But things are way more relaxed and less scammy up there. Pattaya immigration are f**kers and will try to make money from you. Just do what I said and you’ll only end up paying about 300 baht. Book yourself into a cheap hotel for the night and request tm30 from reception. Your bf’s landlord could say you just moved in… Makes absolutely no difference to them. Save yourself the headache of trying to explain logic to them and just go the cheap hotel route like I just mentioned.Clarissa *****
OPI mean they won’t me to pay them*
Clarissa *****
OP@Karim **************
can I do it myself ? Because I got the ID from them ? They don’t me I have to pay them 1,600 baht but the immigration office hahaKarim ***************
@Clarissa ****
if you were in Chiang Mai, I would say go to the tm30 office yourself at their immigration and do yourself. Pattaya wouldn’t do that. Your bf’s landlord can do a tm30 for you for free… He just has to go to the online website and say you moved in today/yesterday… They are just trying to fleece you for 1600. Alternatively, if they’re going to try and be difficult and you don’t want to line the pocket of a scammer, you can book yourself into the cheapest hotel you can find for 1 night and ask them right away for your tm30.Clarissa *****
OP@Karim **************
pattayaKarim ***************
@Clarissa ****
where are you staying and what immigration centre do you use?Clarissa *****
OP@Garrett **********
in our first condo I had to pay 500 baht I did it because I really needed it at that time 😅 and because I have to to an extension soon again I just asked them in our new office condo if the new landlord did and they haven’t so I contacted them and they said now I have to pay a fine at immigration 1,600 baht because I wasn’t registered within 3 days he said. They just send me the ID from the landlord. So I’ll just print it out then tomorrow and will go to immigration myself and report myself I guess. But will it be a problem that my boyfriends name is on the contract leese for the condo and not mine ?Garrett ***********
@Clarissa ****
Anytime a foreigner stays somewhere more than 24 hours you're supposed to submit a tm30. If you go check into a hotel tonight, the hotel does a TM30 online. The only time you need proof of your TM30 receipt is when you go to immigration for an extension or a certificate of residency. Some people have landlord that just won't do TM30s for them, others use one from a hotel they stayed in 3 years ago. It's really not that big of a deal, and it's illegal for the landlord to charge you to do one. Technically if you have a friend stay over, he should submit one for you friend too. Tell him stop being a lazy **** and go file one for you.
Clarissa *****
OP@Garrett **********
because only his name is on the contract not mineClarissa *****
OP@Garrett **********
ok so I could just say he stays there since the 18. last month and I just moved in with Jim correct ?Activity
13 joined13
people
Related
25Is it necessary to submit a TM30 when returning home after a two-night hotel stay in Thailand?
1.2k10132mo
Why do some expats impose their views on immigration rules in Thailand?
10.5k572034mo
What should I do to ensure smooth transit through Thailand to Vietnam after my recent long stay?
12.1k811935mo
What to do if my landlord refuses to file TM30 for my visa in Thailand?
18.3k1023319mo
Does every first 90-day report after entering Thailand have to be done in person?
2.5k152410mo
How many three-month visas can you obtain in a year in Thailand, especially if married, and what are the costs associated?
2.2k211310mo
Is it safe to return to Thailand for less than 8 weeks after multiple previous visits without a tourist visa?
3.1k21381y
Do I need to submit a new TM30 upon returning to Thailand on a DTV visa?
8263102y
How can I extend my Visa on Arrival (VoA) in Thailand if I don't have a fixed address for TM30 registration while traveling on a boat?
549232y
Will I face issues crossing into Thailand by land now that I have a DTV visa?
2.2k17122y
What are the 90-day reporting requirements for a DTV visa holder in Thailand?
2.6k2372y
Do I need to update TM30 if I travel domestically in Thailand?
2.1k10262y
How can I extend my TR 60 Day Tourist Visa in Bangkok and where should I go?
1.5k5223y
Can I apply for a TR60 extension any time during my initial 60 days stay in Chiang Mai?
951583y
How important are the blue book and chanote for extending a Non-O marriage visa in Thailand?
748315y
Can I be a dependent on my husband's retirement visa in Thailand while also getting an education for our children?
3k28155y
What is a 'visa exemption entry' in Thailand and are there better entry options for extended stays?
1.2k3205y
Is the TM30 registration website available in English for expats in Thailand?
2.5k21157y
What is the marriage procedure and visa considerations for expats marrying a Thai citizen in Bangkok?
2.4k15297y
Do hotels in Thailand handle immigration reporting for foreign guests during arrival and departure?
956338y
How long do you have to notify immigration of a change of address in Thailand, and can it be done online or at a local police station?
1.1k758y
Is there a service in Thailand for transferring my visa to a new passport, and what are the costs and waiting times involved?
2.5k18218y
What happens if I forgot to get my TM30 stamped within 24 hours of arriving back in Thailand?
1.4k9148y
Can I apply for a 90-day Non-Immigrant O visa (retirement) in Bangkok without leaving Thailand?
841449y
Can I teach English for one hour a month at the immigration office without a work permit in Thailand?
2.8k18359y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served