The TM30 Form in Thailand is a requirement for immigration. The law governing this form attempts to ensure that foreigners living in Thailand have access to information about their accommodations. The landlord of a property must complete it within 24 hours after the guests’ arrival to report their stay.
If you’re just going on vacation and staying in a hotel, you won’t have to bother about this need. In general, only the following people need to go by the TM30 obligations:
- Those staying with a Thai friend
- Those staying in any type of unlicensed (as a hotel) property
- Those who own a home in Thailand (and reside there)
- Those who co-own a home in Thailand (and reside there)
What is the Use of TM30 Form in Thailand?
The form is to report non-Thai nationals who are staying in the country for a short or long period of time. The regulations apply to any Thai national who houses a foreign person in Thailand, as well as any foreigner who owns or co-owns a residence in Thailand, even if they are the only resident.
The owner of a condo or apartment building needs to register you. The purpose of TM30 is to provide effective surveillance so that international criminals are less likely to consider Thailand as a haven. The TM30 Form in Thailand extends immigration tracking beyond the airport or land border to each individual’s home address.
The form is also useful in providing tourism-related information. The local authorities can keep a track of the number of foreigners staying in the country in the most popular tourist destinations. The information gathered is also useful to track down foreigners who are working illegally in the nation or who have overstayed their visas. While some may consider the rule to be an invasion of privacy, it is in place to safeguard the country — despite its poor enforcement over time.
TM30 Application in Thailand & Regulations
Enactment of the law governing the TM30 form in Thailand is in conjunction with the Hotel Act of 2005. However, there are amendments to include landlords who own properties or units that are not hotels.
This was necessary in order to cover condo rentals and other unregistered enterprises that house guests. For example, AirBnB. It also applies to Thai individuals and families who host international visitors.
To restate, everyone who provides lodging must follow the law by reporting any foreign nationals. Hotel and serviced apartment owners, as well as landlords of private residences, must complete the report.
The landlord is responsible for submitting the TM30. But, if he or she fails to do so, the guest should raise the problem because it is a legal requirement.
Who must have TM30 Registration?
If you stay in a hotel or other establishment with license to host guests, the establishment will record your stay on your behalf. Tourists will be completely unaware that this reporting has taken place. If you’re on a long-stay visa and want to extend it, immigration requires you to submit a TM30 within 24 hours of your arrival. Landlord or the Property Owner must do it in your behalf.
The TM30 comes in two different versions. The landlord can register numerous people on the second form. So, if you’re staying in non-licensed accommodation with a group, your landlord can report you all on the same form. Some of you may be wondering if I still need to report myself if I have a yellow home book (tabien baan) or if I co-own the property where I’ll be staying.
The answer is yes. You must complete the form within 24 hours of arriving at the property, whether online or at immigration, whether you own or co-own it. If you are staying with a friend, your buddy must still complete the TM30 form. Any foreigner married to a Thai and holding a Thai visa is subject to the same rules.
TM 30 Registration for Short Time Stays
You might be asking if you need to record your residency every time you go away for a few days and come back. This is dependent on whether you return within the stay term set on the most recent TM30 you submitted.
You do not need to submit a new TM30 if you return within the time frame stated on the form. You must submit a new form if you return beyond the time frame specified on the TM30.
If, for example, your most recent TM30 indicates that you will be staying in your home property for another three months, you will not need to report when you return home.
If you live in a rented residence, the same regulation applies to your landlord.
In this case, your friend, like a hotel, still he/she must disclose your stay. This is because your most recent place of residence needs registration in the immigration database. This database is under Section 37 (2) of the Thailand Immigration Act of 1979.
It’s a different matter if people truly follow this guideline, and let’s face it, most people don’t.
Remember that if you stay in a hotel or guest home, you won’t have to bother about reporting because they will take care of it for you.
Mandatory Documents for TM30 Registration
To report your stay, you’ll need the following:
- Front page of your passport’s
- Copy of your passport’s visa page
- Copy of your departure card
The landlord will need:
- Copy of his/her title deed
- Copy of the rental contract
Because your arrival number will vary each time you visit Thailand, you must file a TM30 each time. It’s also worth noting that TM30 reporting is not the same as 90-day reporting. If you go to file your 90-day report and no TM30 has been filed after your arrival, you may be penalized.
What Happens on Failing TM30 Registration in Thailand?
Make sure to register new guests within 24 hours, whether you’re a Thai or international landlord in Thailand.
You must record this even if a guest leaves and then returns a month later.
Non-reporting carries a fine of 1,600 Baht per person.
As a tenant or visitor, you should check with your landlord to see if you have been reported. If your landlord refuses to report you, you can either find another place to live or report yourself on his or her behalf. To report yourself, you’ll need the paperwork indicated above from your landlord.
Long-term tenants may discover that their landlords have not reported them, and these concerns frequently arise at the Immigration Department, whether for a 90-day check-in or a visa renewal.
If you’re a foreigner who’s been staying in a property for a few days, you should become friends with your landlord and ask if you’ve been reported.
If you find any difficulty in the process or non-cooperation from your landlord, you may take our help. For the entire process of TM30 Registration in Thailand, you may seek our help by registering yourself for a free consultation session. Alternatively, you may email us at [email protected].
