TM30 for foreigners: what it is and why it matters
TM30 is the residence notification for foreigners in Thailand. Learn who files it, when you need the receipt, and how to fix a missing TM30 in Chiang Mai.
What TM30 is
TM30 is the form Thai law uses to notify Immigration that a foreign national is staying at an address. The name comes from the form number. Hotels file it automatically for their guests. For apartments, condos and houses, the owner or manager is expected to file it.
Once the notification is filed, a receipt is issued. That receipt is what you will be asked for later.
Why the receipt matters to you
Even though the legal duty sits with the property owner, you are the one who feels the consequences. Chiang Mai Immigration normally asks for proof of your registered address when you:
- Apply for an extension of stay, including the 30-day visa-exempt extension
- Apply for a retirement or other long-stay extension
- File a 90-day report
If you cannot show a TM30 receipt, your application may be delayed until the address is registered. Immigration may ask for additional documents depending on your case.
When a new TM30 is needed
A new notification is usually needed when:
- You move to a new address
- You arrive in Thailand and check into a private residence
- You return from a trip abroad, and sometimes from another province
Rules on re-notification after travel are not always applied the same way. The simplest approach is to ask your landlord to file a new TM30 each time you come back and to keep a photo of the receipt.
How to get your TM30 sorted
If you rent from a landlord
Ask your landlord or building office to file TM30 and send you a copy of the receipt. Many condos in Chiang Mai do this routinely once you show them your passport.
If your landlord cannot do it
This is common with short rentals or owners who live abroad. In that case we can arrange the TM30 notification for you. For a visa-exempt extension, we only need your passport and can usually prepare it on the spot.
If you stay in a hotel
The hotel files the notification. Ask reception for a copy of the receipt if you will need it for an extension.
Keep your records together
Keep your TM30 receipt with your passport and your 90-day report slips. When you change address, the new receipt replaces the old one. Having all of this in one place saves time at every visit to Immigration.
Get help
Our 90-day report and TM30 service covers registration and ongoing reporting, with passport pickup from your home. If you are extending a visa-free stay, see the visa-exempt extension service. Related reading: the 90-day report explained and extending a visa-exempt stay in Chiang Mai.
Questions clients ask us
Who is responsible for filing TM30?
The owner or manager of the place where you stay, such as your landlord or hotel. In practice you often need to remind them and ask for the receipt.
Do I need a TM30 receipt to extend my stay?
Usually yes. Chiang Mai Immigration normally asks for proof of your registered address with extension applications.
My landlord did not file TM30. What can I do?
Ask them to file it as soon as possible. If that is difficult, we can arrange the TM30 notification for you. For visa-exempt extensions we can usually do this on the spot with your passport.
Do I need a new TM30 after travelling?
Often yes. Immigration may expect a new notification after you return from abroad or from another province. Check with your landlord each time.
Related services
- Visa-Exempt Stay Extension (30 Days)
Entered Thailand visa-free? Extend your stay by 30 days at Chiang Mai Immigration. We prepare forms, photos and TM30, done the same or next day.
- 90-Day Report & TM30 Notification
We file your 90-day report and TM30 address notification in Chiang Mai. On your first report we collect your passport at home and return it the same day.