TM-30 in Phuket - what it is and what to do if it hasn't been filed
The TM-30 is a notification of where a foreigner is staying. It's filed by the property owner or the hotel, not by you. Hotels usually handle it automatically; private landlords often don't know they're supposed to. You'll need it before Immigration will issue a residence certificate.
Cost
Free
Filed by
Your landlord or hotel
Required before
The residence certificate
Issued to
Immigration Bureau
What it is and isn't
Not your job to file. Still your problem if it isn't.
It is not your responsibility to file the TM-30, but it is your problem when it hasn't been. That distinction is where most people get stuck.
How it works
Three steps, one filing.
STEP 1
Your landlord or hotel files the notification
It goes to Immigration, not to you - there is nothing for you to submit.
STEP 2
It's registered against your passport
Once filed, the notification is on record at your address.
STEP 3
Immigration can then issue documents tied to your address
A residence certificate, among others, depends on this being in place first.
See the residence certificate page
Common problems
Where people get stuck.
Landlord doesn't know what it is
Common with small private rentals. It can be filed online or in person and costs nothing.
Short-term rental or Airbnb
The host is still the one who files it, whatever the platform.
Staying with a friend
The property owner files it - not the guest.
Landlord refuses or is unreachable
It isn't a common outcome, and it's the sort of thing that gets sorted out locally rather than online.
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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Specific questions.
Do I file the TM-30 myself?
No. It is filed by the property owner or the hotel, not by the guest.
My hotel says it's already done - how do I check?
Ask the hotel to confirm the filing date. Most hotels file it on check-in as a matter of routine.
Does it cost anything?
No. Filing a TM-30 is free.
What if I move to a new address?
The new property owner files a fresh TM-30 for the new address.
Can I get a residence certificate without it?
No. Immigration will not issue one until the TM-30 for your current address is on file.
Last checked: August 2026. Fees and requirements in Thailand change - tell us if you find something out of date.