Residence certificate in Phuket - what it is and how to get one
It isn't a residence permit and it has nothing to do with your visa status. It's a one-page confirmation of your address, issued by Phuket Immigration for 500 ฿, usually the same day. Tourists on a visa stamp get one just as easily as long-term residents.
What it is and isn't
It confirms where you sleep. Nothing more.
The name causes more confusion than any other document in Thailand. People assume it means residency status and conclude they don't qualify. It doesn't.
It confirms where you sleep, nothing more. Any foreigner with a valid stamp can get one - tourist, retiree, or anything in between.
How to get it
Four steps, one morning.
STEP 1
Make sure the TM-30 has been filed
Hotels do it automatically; private landlords often don't. Without it, Immigration won't issue the certificate.
See the TM-30 pageSTEP 2
Get a photo at any print shop
Say it's for a residence certificate and they'll know the format. A few minutes.
STEP 3
Collect your documents
Passport, a copy of the main page, a copy of the page with your stamp or visa, and your arrival card (TDAC).
STEP 4
Go to Phuket Immigration
Pay 500 ฿. Usually issued the same day. Go in the morning - it gets busy later.
Common problems
Where people get stuck.
No TM-30 filed
The most common blocker by far. Immigration won't issue the certificate until the property owner has filed the notification.
See the TM-30 pageStaying at a friend's place or an unregistered rental
The property owner still has to file the TM-30. It's their responsibility, even if they don't know it.
Do you need a rental agreement?
Requirements vary by case. Bring one if you have it; it isn't always requested.
Timing
Immigration closes for lunch between 12:00 and 13:00 and gets busy. Go in the morning. The office is at 482 Phuket Rd, Tambon Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000.
Validity
The certificate expires after 30 days, so there's no point getting one long before you need it.
What else it's used for
Beyond driving licenses.
- Opening a Thai bank account
- Buying a motorcycle or car
- Registering a vehicle
- Some visa procedures
- A few other government processes
If you'd rather not deal with it
We handle the full document set - this one included - for 1,500 ฿, as part of a driving license application. Doing it yourself costs about 600 ฿ in fees plus a trip to Immigration. The difference is your time.
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FAQ
Specific questions.
Is a residence certificate a residence permit?
No. It confirms your address, not your residency status. The name is misleading.
Can I get one on a tourist visa?
Yes. Any valid visa stamp qualifies - there is no minimum visa type or waiting period.
How long is it valid?
Thirty days from the date it is issued.
Can I get one if I'm staying in a hotel?
Yes. Hotels file the TM-30 automatically, so this is usually the most straightforward case.
What are Immigration's opening hours?
Phuket Immigration is open 08:30-16:30, closed for lunch between 12:00 and 13:00.
What if my landlord hasn't filed the TM-30?
Immigration won't issue the certificate until they have. It's the property owner's responsibility, not yours, but it becomes your problem until it's resolved.
Do I need an appointment?
No appointment is published for this service - it is issued over the counter on the day.
Last checked: August 2026. Fees and requirements in Thailand change - tell us if you find something out of date.