TM30 is one of those Thai immigration requirements that many expats discover too late — usually at a visa renewal when the officer asks why there are gaps in your TM30 history. It's the address registration system that notifies Thai Immigration when a foreign national arrives at a property. Legally the landlord's responsibility, practically often yours to manage. Here's everything you need to know about TM30 in Phuket, including how to file online in under 5 minutes.
TM30 = Address registration. Filed by property owner when you arrive at a new address (or return from abroad). Required within 24 hours. TM30 is about WHERE you live. 90-day reporting = Separate obligation, filed by YOU every 90 days of continuous stay. About HOW LONG you've been in Thailand. Both required. Different deadlines. Different forms. 90-day reporting guide here.
What Is TM30 and Who Must File It?
TM30 is a notification form under Immigration Act 1979, Section 38. It requires the owner or possessor of a property (house, condo, hotel, guesthouse) to notify Thai Immigration within 24 hours any time a foreign national stays there overnight.
| Situation | Who Files TM30 | When to File |
|---|---|---|
| Staying at a hotel/resort | Hotel (automatic) | Within 24 hours of check-in |
| Renting a house/condo | Landlord (legal duty) — tenant can file if landlord won't | Within 24 hours of arriving |
| Returning from a trip abroad | Landlord again (new TM30 needed) | Within 24 hours of returning to Thailand |
| Moving to a new address | New address's property owner | Within 24 hours of moving in |
| Staying with Thai friends/family | Thai homeowner | Within 24 hours |
How to File TM30 Online (Step-by-Step)
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Go to tm30.immigration.go.th
The official Thai Immigration TM30 portal. Works on Chrome and Firefox. Switch to English using the flag icon. If the site is down (common during peak hours), try early morning Thai time.
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Register as a user
First time: click "Register" and create an account using the property address details and Thai National ID or house registration number of the property owner. If you're a tenant filing yourself, use the landlord's name/address but your own contact details.
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Enter the accommodation details
Select your address from the database or enter it manually. Enter the Chanote (title deed) number or Sor Por Gor number if available — it's on the rental contract or the owner's title deed documents. Enter accommodation type (house, condo, apartment).
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Enter the foreign national's details
Passport number, full name (as in passport), nationality, visa type, date of arrival in Thailand, estimated length of stay. Double-check the passport number — errors are the most common reason for TM30 rejections.
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Submit and save your acknowledgment
After submission, you'll receive a PDF acknowledgment with a reference number. Print or save this as a PDF. This is your proof of TM30 compliance — Phuket Immigration officers will ask for it at visa renewals. Save every TM30 acknowledgment in a folder.
If the online system isn't working or you don't have the property details, file in person at Phuket Immigration Office on the Chalong Circle bypass road. Take a number at the TM30 counter (Counter 4 or 5 typically). Bring your passport, rental contract, and landlord's ID (photocopy). Allow 1–2 hours. Mon–Fri, 8:30am–4:30pm. The same address where you file 90-day reports and renew visas.
How TM30 Affects Your Non-OA Visa Renewal in Phuket
This is the practical reason TM30 matters most for long-term expats in Phuket. When you renew your Non-OA (retirement), Non-B, ED, or any other extension at Phuket Immigration, officers check your TM30 history in the system.
| TM30 Status at Renewal | What Happens | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Clean TM30 history throughout stay | Smooth processing, no questions about address | 🟢 No issue |
| No TM30 after returning from trip abroad | Officer will ask — need to explain and may need to file retroactively | 🟡 Moderate — usually resolvable |
| No TM30 at all (never filed) | Officer may require you to file one before proceeding, may ask more questions | 🟠 Potential delay |
| TM30 doesn't match rental contract address | Can cause significant problems — officer may question your actual place of residence | 🔴 Serious — address these before renewal |
TM30 Scenarios in Phuket Expat Life
Scenario: You went to Penang for a visa run and came back
When you re-enter Thailand, technically a new TM30 is required within 24 hours. If you're returning to the same rental property, your landlord needs to file another TM30 for you. In practice, most expats don't do this. At renewal, if asked, show your rental contract and ask the officer to accept it as proof of continuous occupancy. Some officers accept this; some don't. The safest approach is to file TM30 after every return.
Scenario: You're moving from one Phuket area to another
Your previous TM30 is void once you physically move. Your new landlord needs to file a TM30 within 24 hours of you moving in. Get the TM30 acknowledgment slip from them before you need it at Immigration. If you're moving frequently (every few months), this is important to stay on top of.
Scenario: Your landlord just won't file TM30
File it yourself. Either use the online portal (you can create an account as the "representative" of the property) or go to Phuket Immigration with your rental contract and file a TM30 form at the counter. Some Immigration officers are more understanding than others about tenant-filed TM30s when landlords are uncooperative.
TM30 FAQ
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