Quick Facts
Key compliance figures at a glance
Section 1
90-Day Reporting (TM47)
Every foreign national holding a non-immigrant visa and remaining in Thailand for more than 90 consecutive days is required under Section 37(5) of the Thai Immigration Act to notify immigration of their current address every 90 days. The requirement applies to Non-O, Non-B, Non-ED, DTV and all other non-immigrant visa types. Tourists and short-term visitors are exempt. LTR holders report annually via the BOI portal instead.
The 22-Day Reporting Window
You may file from 15 days before your due date to 7 days after — a 22-day window. Set a calendar reminder for day 75 of each cycle. A fine of ฿2,000 applies for late filing; up to ฿5,000 if caught non-compliant by police.
The 90-day clock resets every time you leave Thailand and starts again from your re-entry date — not from the previous report date.
How to File
First Report — In Person
Must be made in person at your local immigration office with passport, TM30 receipt and completed TM47 form.
Subsequent Reports — Online
Can be filed via the Thai immigration portal. Always save and print the confirmation receipt. If the system fails, attend in person before the window closes.
Section 2
Annual Visa Extensions
Annual extensions are filed at the immigration office up to 30 days before the current permission to stay expires. Do not wait until the expiry date — offices fill up early and queues close before midday at busy offices like Chaeng Wattana in Bangkok. A lapsed extension is an overstay.
Universal Documents (All Visa Types)
Retirement Extension (Non-O / Non-OA)
Marriage Extension (Non-O)
DTV Extension (180 Days)
Section 3
TM30 & Re-Entry Permits
TM30 Address Registration
The TM30 is the landlord's or property owner's legal obligation under Section 38 of the Immigration Act. It must be filed when you first move in and re-filed within 24 hours of every return from international travel — even returning to the same property.
Without a current TM30, most immigration offices will refuse to process extensions or 90-day reports at the counter.
Re-Entry Permits
Leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit voids your extension immediately. You must obtain one before departing — it can be applied for at the immigration office or at Suvarnabhumi Airport before your departure.
Section 4
Overstay Consequences
1–89 days
฿500 per day fine, payable at the border on departure.
90+ days
Fine plus likely detention at the airport and investigation by immigration police.
1+ year
Re-entry ban (blacklist) imposed. Duration depends on length of overstay — can be permanent.
Section 5
Making Your Office Visit Work
Arrive Before 08:30
Major offices like Chaeng Wattana (Bangkok) and Chiang Mai immigration run on queues that can fill before midday. Arrive before opening and queue early.
Dress Appropriately
Thai government offices expect covered shoulders and knees. Smart casual is sufficient. Inappropriate dress has resulted in clients being turned away.
Sign Every Photocopy
Most offices require every photocopy to be signed individually in blue ink. Bring a blue pen and extra copies of every document page.
Common Mistakes
Five compliance errors that create problems
Leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit
Departing without a re-entry permit cancels your extension entirely. On return, you arrive as a new entrant and must obtain a fresh visa. This catches experienced expats who travel frequently and forget the rule after returning to Thailand on a tourist stamp at some point.
Failing to re-file the TM30 after international travel
The TM30 resets on every return from overseas. Your landlord is responsible for re-filing it within 24 hours of your return to the same address. Without a current TM30, most immigration offices will refuse to process extensions or 90-day reports.
Miscalculating the 90-day window after travel
The 90-day clock starts from your re-entry date, not from your original visa date or previous report date. Frequent travellers often assume they are ahead of the cycle when they have in fact reset it. We see the ฿2,000 fine paid repeatedly by clients who have missed this.
Applying for the annual extension on the day it expires
Immigration offices fill up early and queues can exhaust before midday. Applying on the expiry date is high-risk. Extensions can be filed up to 30 days before expiry — use this window. If the office closes before your number is called, your extension has lapsed.
Bank balance below ฿800,000 in the 2 months before the retirement extension
The 2-month seasoning rule means the funds must have been present and uninterrupted in the account for the 2 months immediately before the application date. Depositing the full amount a week before the appointment does not meet the requirement.
Questions & Answers
Common questions about extensions and reporting
Do I need to 90-day report if I travel frequently?
Yes — but your clock resets every time you re-enter Thailand. If you depart and return, the 90 days starts again from your re-entry date. Frequent travellers who leave every few months may find they rarely trigger the 90-day window in practice, but must still be aware of the reset mechanism and file if they stay continuously for 90 days.
My landlord says they do not know how to file a TM30. What do I do?
TM30 is a legal obligation on the landlord or property owner (or accommodation provider) under Section 38 of the Immigration Act. If the landlord is unwilling or unable to file, it is possible to file it yourself at the immigration office with supporting evidence of your address. We advise clients on the alternative filing route when landlords are uncooperative — this is a common problem in serviced apartments and short-term rentals.
I have an LTR visa. Do I still need to 90-day report?
LTR visa holders have annual reporting through the BOI portal rather than the standard 90-day TM47 system. You report your address and details once per year to the BOI. This is one of the significant practical advantages of the LTR over other long-stay routes.
What happens if I overstay — even by accident?
Overstay carries a ฿500-per-day fine, payable at the border on departure. At 90 days' overstay, detention becomes likely. At over one year, a re-entry ban (blacklist) is typically imposed. Short accidental overstays can often be managed — the key is to depart and pay the fine immediately, not to remain in Thailand hoping it goes unnoticed.
Can I file my 90-day report online?
Subsequent reports (after the first in-person filing) can be submitted online via the Thai immigration portal. The system is reliable when it works but is known to have periods of unavailability. Always save and print your confirmation receipt. If the online system is unavailable within your 22-day window, you must attend the immigration office in person before the window closes.
Lawyers for Expats Thailand
We manage 90-day reporting, annual extensions, TM30 resolution and re-entry permits for clients across Thailand — so compliance deadlines are never missed.
See how we help — Extensions & Reporting service page →Related Guides
Retirement Visa
→Non-O, Non-OA and Non-OX routes — financial proof, health insurance and renewal requirements.
DTV Visa — Reference Guide
→5-year multiple-entry for remote workers. How the in-country 180-day extension works.
LTR Visa — Reference Guide
→10-year visa with annual BOI reporting instead of the 90-day TM47 cycle.
Compare All Visa Options
→Every long-stay Thailand visa route compared side by side.
