TM.30 alien residence notification — the legal duty of the house master, owner or possessor of the premises
Quick answer
TM.30 is the alien residence notification required by section 38 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522. The duty falls on the house master, owner or possessor of the premises, including a hotel manager, who must notify the competent officer within twenty-four hours of the foreign national taking up residence. Failure to notify carries a penalty under the Act, and it is a separate obligation from the foreign national’s own 90-day reporting.
Key facts and the responsible authority
| Legal basis | Immigration Act B.E. 2522, section 38 |
|---|---|
| Who must notify | The house master, owner or possessor of the dwelling, and the manager of a hotel where the foreign national stays |
| Deadline | Within twenty-four hours from the time the foreign national takes up residence |
| Filing channels | In person at the local immigration office, by post, or through the Immigration Bureau online system, according to what each area offers |
| Penalty for non-notification | A fine as prescribed by the Immigration Act — confirm the current amount with the Immigration Bureau |
| How it differs from 90-day reporting | TM.30 is the accommodation provider’s duty; 90-day reporting is the foreign national’s own duty when staying beyond the set period. Different forms, different cycles |
Document checklist and the certification involved
Copy of the foreign national’s passport (data page, visa page and arrival card)
No translation or certification required
House registration of the premises, or evidence of ownership or possession
Thai-language document; no translation
ID card of the house master, or passport if the house master is a foreigner
No translation
Power of attorney if someone else files
In writing with signature; if the grantor is abroad, signature certification and legalisation may be needed
Lease or evidence of the stay
A foreign-language version should carry a Thai translation if the officer asks
Step by step
- Identify the correct person with the duty: Establish who is in fact the house master, owner or possessor, since the section 38 duty attaches to that person, not to the guest.
- Collect the property and guest documents: Prepare the guest’s passport copies, the house registration and the ownership or possession evidence before filing.
- File within twenty-four hours: File through the channel available in that area, within the statutory window from when the guest moves in.
- Keep the acknowledgement: Retain the acknowledgement; it is referred to when the foreign national deals with government offices, extends a visa, or needs address evidence.
What to do
- Have the unit owner or the condominium juristic person confirm in writing who will file the TM.30, from the date the lease is signed.
- File again whenever the foreign national moves; it is not a once-per-lease formality.
- Keep a digital copy of the acknowledgement, as it is commonly requested at visa extensions and account openings.
- Owners letting several units should keep an internal guest register so the twenty-four-hour window is not missed.
- If the owner is abroad, prepare a power of attorney in advance with certified signature so a representative can file in time.
What to avoid
- Assuming the foreign national must file, when the Act places the duty on the house master, owner or possessor.
- Confusing TM.30 with 90-day reporting, filing the wrong form and leaving the original duty unmet.
- Filing after the statutory window, which is an offence even where the guest holds a valid visa.
- Not re-filing after the guest re-enters the country or moves, leaving the recorded address inaccurate.
- Not keeping the acknowledgement, so there is no evidence if an officer checks later.
Frequently asked questions
- Can the foreign national file the TM.30 themselves?
- The statutory duty rests with the house master, owner or possessor. In practice the guest may act on their behalf if authorised, but liability under section 38 remains with the duty holder.
- Does a hotel guest need to file?
- No — the hotel manager carries the duty. A guest may ask the hotel for evidence of the notification if it is needed.
- Is a new filing needed when moving within the same condominium?
- The recorded address changes with the unit number, so a fresh notification keeps the record accurate.
- Is a new filing needed after re-entering Thailand?
- A new period of residence begins when the foreign national returns to the premises, so notify again within the statutory window and confirm local practice with the area immigration office.
- What happens if no notification is filed?
- It is an offence carrying a fine under the Immigration Act, and in practice it can affect the guest’s dealings with offices that require address evidence. Confirm the current amount with the Immigration Bureau.
- What is the TM.30 acknowledgement used for?
- As address evidence for visa extensions, 90-day reporting, bank account opening, and at some offices, residence certificate applications.
- What must a company with foreign staff do?
- If the company owns or possesses the accommodation provided to staff, the company carries the duty. Assign an internal owner of the task and track each employee’s move-in date.
- Is online filing available everywhere?
- The Immigration Bureau provides an online channel, but availability and registration steps differ by area. Check with the office covering the property.
- The owner is abroad — who can file?
- A representative in Thailand can be authorised. A power of attorney signed abroad may need signature certification and document authentication under that country’s route before it is used in Thailand.
- What does your team do here?
- We confirm who holds the duty, prepare the document set, draft the power of attorney and certify signatures where needed, and coordinate filing within the deadline. We are not an agent of the Immigration Bureau.
Official sources
Checked on 2026-08-04; requirements change, so confirm with the authority before filing.
Related pages
Ask our team
The required documents and timing depend on the receiving office in each case. Contact our team to confirm the checklist before you file.