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The Complete TM30 Report Guide for Phuket Expats

TL;DR (Key Takeaway): The TM30 report is a mandatory 24-hour address registration for foreigners in Thailand. In Phuket, you must file a new TM30 when you arrive from abroad or move to a new property. Failing to have an updated TM30 will result in fines (up to 2,000 THB) and blocked visa extensions at Phuket Immigration.

If you are a foreigner living in Phuket on a long-term visa, the TM30 report is one of the most critical—and often misunderstood—pieces of paperwork you will deal with. Failure to file it correctly can block your visa extensions and 90-day reports.

What is the TM30?

The TM30 is an address registration requirement under Section 38 of the 1979 Immigration Act. It requires the "house master, owner, or possessor" of a residence to report the arrival of a foreign national within 24 hours.

When Do You Need a New TM30 in Phuket?

Phuket Immigration is strict about TM30 compliance. You need a new TM30 when:

  1. You arrive in Thailand and move into a new property.
  2. You return to Thailand from an international trip (even if you return to the same house).
  3. You move to a different address within Phuket or from another province.

Note: In Phuket, short domestic trips within Thailand generally do not require a new TM30 upon return to your primary residence, provided you haven't checked into a hotel that filed a TM30 overwriting your home address.

How to File the TM30

Option 1: The Landlord Files It (Online)

The easiest method. Your landlord registers on the Immigration Section 38 website or app and files the report. They must provide you with a screenshot of the "Receipt of Notification" which you will print and keep in your passport.

Option 2: You File It (In Person)

If your landlord is uncooperative, you must file it yourself at Phuket Town Immigration. You will need:

  • Copy of your passport (photo page, visa page, latest entry stamp)
  • Copy of the lease agreement signed by the landlord
  • Copy of the landlord's ID card (signed)
  • Copy of the house registration book (Tabien Baan)

Why It Matters for Your Retirement Visa

When you go to Phuket Immigration to file for your 1-year retirement extension or your 90-day report, the officer will check the system. If the last TM30 on file does not match your current address or your latest entry into Thailand, you will be fined (usually 1,600 to 2,000 THB) before they process your visa application.

Need help sorting out a missing TM30 before your visa extension? Our team handles TM30 compliance for all our retirement visa clients in Phuket.

Before you act on this guide

Visa outcomes depend on age, nationality, current stamp, address proof, bank route and local timing. Use the article as a decision aid, then confirm the exact path before moving money or booking appointments.

  • Does your current entry stamp leave enough days?
  • Will your bank show the funds as a foreign inflow?
  • Does your Phuket address match lease, owner papers and TM30?
  • Do you need embassy documents, insurance or translated certificates?

Not sure which visa fits you?

Tell us four things — your nationality, age, current visa, and what you're aiming for. We'll tell you the realistic path, free.

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