Step-by-Step Guide to the Notification of Residence for Foreigners (TM-30) for Staying in Thailand

During your stay in Thailand, Immigration needs to know your address. This is done through a process called the "Notification of Residence for Foreigners" (TM-30). You must update your TM-30 whenever you move to a new address or renew your lease to ensure Immigration has your latest address information.

When you sign a lease, your landlord is responsible for reporting your address to Immigration and completing the TM-30 online. They should provide you with a copy of the report, but if they don’t, be sure to request one. There is also an official handwritten version issued by Immigration, and you must visit the Immigration office in person to obtain it.

So, there are two types of TM-30 documents: the online version completed by your landlord, and the official version you acquire in person at the Immigration office. Both are important, so make sure to have both copies for your records. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of reporting your residency and obtaining the official handwritten TM-30 document from Immigration.

The Purpose of the TM-30: Why Do You Need to Do It?

The TM-30 helps the immigration keep track of where you live during your stay in Thailand. This is important because Immigration needs to know how to contact you or find you if needed. This doesn't mean they will be checking your location regularly—this is only necessary if there’s a reason to contact you, such as if you have violated any rules during your stay.

What Happens If You Don't Have the TM-30?

There is no penalty for not having the TM-30, but it is a required document for other processes, such as 90-day reporting. You will need it eventually, so it's best to apply for it at your earliest convenience.

Required documents for TM-30

1. Notification of residence application form — (TM30)—  You can get one from the TM-30-specific counter. Please ask the staff or immigration officers where you can get one.
2. Copy of ID card or passport of the householder, the owner, or the possessor of a dwelling place, certified as a true copy.
3. Copy of House Registration (pages of house particulars and particulars of person as item 2)
4. Copy of your foreign passport — (Better to include every page of your visa)
5. Copy of your lease contract — (every page — in my particular case, there are 12 pages so need to copy them all)
6. Request the owner to fill in the Power-of-Attorney form which can be obtained from the QR scan at the immigration TM-30 counter. Online fill is ok (either handwritten or edited with PDF editor software) and ask the homeowner to sign it and send the pdf file back to you. Print out the file, fill in your information, and sign your signature.

Pre-Requisites Before You Go to the Immigration Office

1. Take a pen
   You’ll need to fill out some forms during the process, so be sure to bring a pen. But no worries if you forget, there are shops downstairs where you can purchase one.
2. Notify your landlord to be active
   For some of the required documents, you’ll need to request copies from your landlord, (for example, a copy of their national ID card), and in some cases, they may need to fill out forms online (for example, a Power-of-Attorney form, a proof your landlord allow you to do the process). To ensure everything goes smoothly, inform your landlord or real estate agent in advance that you’ll be completing the TM-30 application. Make sure they are available and easy to contact on the day of your visit.
3. Prepare documents
   The process of reporting your residency is usually quick and can be completed within a few hours. However, expect long queues, so it’s best to arrive early when Immigration opens. Be prepared for potential language barriers, and keep in mind that additional documents may be required depending on your specific case. To avoid any issues, always bring all your relevant Thailand-related documents whenever you visit Immigration.
   If you need to print, scan, or copy any of your documents, there are stores downstairs that offer the services.
4. Check which immigration office you need to go to
   There are several immigration offices in Thailand, and depending on the province you live in, you may need to visit a different one. For example, if you live in the Suan Luang District, which is in Bangkok Province, so you need to go to the immigration at the Government Complex. If you live in Samut Prakan Province, you’ll need to visit the Samut Prakan immigration office. If you live in Nonthaburi Province, you'll need to visit the Nonthaburi immigration office. Be sure to do your research to find out which immigration office is relevant for your area.
5. Check for immigration office hours and holidays
   Immigration offices are closed on weekends and public holidays, so be sure to check their hours and ensure they are open on the day you plan to visit.

Where Is the Immigration Office, and How Can You Get There?

The immigration office you need to go to will be different based on the province you live in. For the immigration office at Government Complex, Building B. You can get there by MRT Pink line. The station's name is Government Complex. The Government Complex is a big area of land and the government provides a free shuttle bus service to go around from one building to another. When you get to the Government Complex MRT Pink line station, there is a skywalk to Building D. At the parking area of Building D, there is a free shuttle service to get to Building B. Building B is where you perform your 90-day report. You need to show your passport to pass the security gate at the entrance of Building B and walk to the end to get to the immigration office.

How to Update Your Residency Information: The Process

This is the process we followed at the Government Complex immigration office. While there may be small differences at other immigration offices, most of the steps should be the same.

There are two counters you need to go through at the Immigration office. First, gather all the required documents and show them to the officer at the initial counter. They will check the documents and will give you a queue number.

Next, find the corresponding counter number based on your queue number and wait for your turn.

When your queue number is called, go to the next counter and present your documents to the officer. The officer will check your documents and may ask a few questions. Sometimes, they may ask for your previous TM-30 if they believe you have a prior residence address.

Once everything is approved, the officer will tear off a portion of your application form, fill in their details, sign it, and return that paper to you along with a document listing the people living in your household. If you get that, your TM-30 update is complete.

Make sure to keep this TM-30 document safe as long as you are staying at the same address. You can use it for other processes such as the 90-day reporting.

Please note that if you move to a new address or renew your lease contract, you will need to update your TM-30 again.

Is this article helpful? What do you have in mind?
Have you done a TM-30 update before? How was your experience?
Let us know in the comments.

We also have an interesting blog post on the cost of living in Bangkok. You will find it helpful.

Cost of Living in Bangkok, Thailand

The blog post to answer your question of “How much money do you need each month to survive in Thailand?”

Beeping MemoZaw Thet Tin Alex Hicks