TM30 Thailand Immigration Requirements: Simple Guide for Landlords and Foreign Tenants

If you are renting a condo, house, apartment or serviced residence in Thailand, TM30 is one of the most important immigration records to understand. It is not a visa application. It is a residence notification used to tell Thai Immigration where a foreign national is staying.

For most foreign tenants, the landlord, property owner, householder, building operator or host is responsible for filing TM30. However, tenants should still make sure it has been completed, because a TM30 receipt may be requested when applying for immigration services such as a visa extension, residence certificate, re-entry permit or other address-related processes.

What Is TM30 in Thailand?

TM30 is the common name for Form TM.30, officially used to notify Thai Immigration that a foreign national is staying at a specific address in Thailand.

Under Section 38 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979), the householder, owner, possessor of a dwelling place or hotel manager who accommodates a foreigner permitted to stay temporarily in Thailand must notify the immigration office in the area within 24 hours from the time the foreigner takes residence. If there is no immigration office in that area, the notification must be made to the local police station.

In simple terms, TM30 applies when a foreigner stays in a hotel, condo, apartment, house, guesthouse, private residence, villa or other rental property in Thailand.

Who Is Responsible for Filing TM30?

The legal responsibility normally sits with the person or business controlling the accommodation, not the foreign guest or tenant. This may include:

The landlord or property owner of a rented condo, house or apartment
The householder or possessor of the residence
A hotel, serviced apartment, guesthouse or accommodation operator
A company that owns or leases accommodation for foreign staff
A foreign property owner reporting their own residence in Thailand
An authorised representative, such as a building office, HR department or appointed agent

Even though the host or owner is usually responsible, foreign tenants should ask for a copy of the TM30 receipt after moving in. Keeping both a digital copy and a printed copy can help avoid delays during immigration visits.

When Does TM30 Need to Be Filed?

TM30 should generally be filed within 24 hours of the foreign national arriving at the residence. It is especially important in these situations:

A foreign tenant moves into a rented condo, house or apartment
A foreign resident changes address in Thailand
A foreign guest stays at a private home, villa or non-hotel property
A company provides accommodation for a foreign employee
A foreign owner starts staying at their own property in Thailand

Repeated reporting may not always be required when the same foreigner temporarily leaves and returns to the same registered address during the stay period already reported. However, local immigration practices can differ, so landlords and tenants should check with the immigration office responsible for the property if they are unsure.

TM30, TDAC, TM6 and 90-Day Reporting Are Different

Several Thailand immigration forms are easy to confuse, but they serve different purposes:

TM30: A residence notification filed by the landlord, owner, possessor, householder or accommodation operator after a foreigner stays at an address in Thailand.
TDAC: The Thailand Digital Arrival Card, an online arrival card for foreign nationals entering Thailand. It must be submitted within 3 days before arrival and is not a visa.
TM6: The former paper arrival card. The TDAC system is now used as the online replacement for the traditional paper arrival card.
90-day reporting: A separate notification for foreigners who stay in Thailand longer than 90 days. This is different from TM30 and is usually handled by the foreign resident.

For TM30 purposes, the landlord or filer may still need accurate arrival details, such as the foreigner’s passport information, entry date, permission-to-stay stamp and TDAC or arrival record details if requested by the online system or local immigration office.

How to Submit a TM30 Report

Thai Immigration allows several methods for TM30 reporting. The most suitable option depends on the property location, the filer’s documents and access to the online system.

1. Submit TM30 Online

The easiest option for many landlords and accommodation operators is the official TM30 online notification system. The online system is designed for house owners, landlords and accommodation providers to register and submit residence notifications online.

After submission, the filer should save or print the confirmation receipt and share a copy with the foreign tenant or guest.

2. Submit in Person or Through an Authorised Person

TM30 can also be submitted at the immigration office responsible for the area where the property is located. In Bangkok, follow the current instructions of Immigration Division 1. In other provinces, use the provincial immigration office responsible for the address.

An authorised person may submit the documents on behalf of the landlord or owner, but the office may ask for an authorisation letter and copies of identification documents.

3. Submit by Registered Mail

Some immigration offices accept TM30 by registered mail. The filer should keep the postal registration slip as evidence and include any required return envelope or supporting documents requested by the relevant office.

Documents and Information Usually Needed

Requirements can vary by immigration office and by whether the report is filed online, in person or by mail. As a general checklist, prepare the following:

Landlord, Owner or Host Documents

Completed TM30 form or online account submission
Copy of the landlord’s Thai ID card, passport or company representative ID
House registration book, title deed, lease agreement or other proof of right to the property
Company registration documents, if the property is owned or leased by a company
Authorisation letter, if another person submits the report

Foreign Tenant or Guest Information

Passport biographical page
Visa page, if applicable
Latest entry stamp or permission-to-stay stamp
Arrival date and travel details
TDAC confirmation or arrival card details, if requested
Lease agreement or full address of the residence

For paper submissions, copies may need to be signed by the relevant person. Some local offices may request additional documents, so it is sensible to check current local requirements before visiting.

Penalties for Not Filing TM30

Failure to comply with Section 38 can lead to a fine. Under Section 77 of the Immigration Act, a person who fails to comply with Section 38 may be fined up to 2,000 baht. If the responsible person is a hotel manager, the fine is from 2,000 baht to 10,000 baht.

For tenants, the bigger issue is often practical rather than the fine itself. If the TM30 record is missing or incorrect, an immigration officer may ask for it before processing other immigration services. This can delay visa extensions, residence certificates or other applications.

TM30 Checklist Before Renting a Condo in Thailand

Before signing a lease, foreign tenants should confirm how TM30 will be handled. Use this simple checklist:

Ask whether the landlord, owner or building office can file TM30 within 24 hours of move-in
Confirm whether the property has already been registered in the TM30 online system
Provide passport and arrival information promptly after entering Thailand or moving in
Request a TM30 receipt or screenshot after submission
Keep a digital and printed copy for future immigration visits
If the landlord is unfamiliar with TM30, contact the local immigration office for the accepted submission process

Key Takeaway

TM30 is a simple but important immigration requirement for foreigners staying in Thailand. The legal duty usually belongs to the landlord, owner, householder or accommodation operator, but foreign tenants should make sure the report is completed and keep proof of submission.

Handling TM30 early in the rental process helps avoid unnecessary immigration delays and gives both landlord and tenant a clear record of the foreign resident’s registered address in Thailand.

Note: Immigration rules and local office procedures can change. This guide is for general information only. Always check the latest requirements with the Immigration Bureau or the immigration office responsible for your property.