TM.30 Thailand for Teachers: Address Notification After You Rent
TM.30 for Teachers: Landlord Files, You Keep the Slip
TM.30 is your landlord's job, not yours. Your job is to rent from someone who will file it, then keep the slip safe. Here is how we handle it with our teachers in Sukhothai and beyond.
TM.30 (ตม.30) is the notice under Section 38 of the Immigration Act that tells Immigration where a foreigner is staying. The landlord, hotel, or house master files it within about 24 hours of you arriving. It isn't your filing, but it becomes your problem if it's missing, because immigration offices often ask for the slip before they'll process your Non-B visa extension. During orientation week in Sukhothai, our hotel files it at check-in. When you move into your own apartment or school housing, you need to ask for it and keep the slip.
What TM.30 Actually Means.
After 20 years of helping teachers settle in, this is how I explain it to every new arrival.
1. Your Landlord Files It
Section 38 puts the filing duty on the house master, property owner, or hotel, not on you. You still feel the delay if they forget, so it pays to check.
2. The Timeframe
Hosts are expected to file within about 24 hours of you arriving. Weekends and holidays can slow things down in practice, but filing promptly avoids awkward questions later.
3. The Slip Matters
Whether it's filed in person or online, there is a stamped paper slip or an online confirmation. Keep the slip in your passport folder and a photo on your phone.
4. Fines and Frozen Extensions
A fine commonly cited at up to 2,000 THB for a private house is possible, and more for hotels. The bigger problem for a teacher is a frozen extension until your address is on file.
Four Situations Our Teachers Meet.
From orientation week to your first flat, school housing, and coming back from a holiday abroad.
1. Hotel Check-In in Sukhothai
During orientation, our hotel in Sukhothai takes your passport at reception and files your TM.30. You don't need to do anything that week.
2. Renting an Apartment
Before you hand over a deposit, ask the landlord: "Will you file my TM.30?" Most condo managers do it without fuss. If a private landlord isn't sure, our coordinators can help with the forms.
3. On-Campus Housing
If your school gives you a room or bungalow on campus, the school acts as your host. Ask the office to file your TM.30 and give you a copy of the slip.
4. Returning From Abroad
When you come back from a holiday abroad, you get a new entry stamp. Many provinces, but not all, want a fresh TM.30 on return, even for the same apartment. Check with your local office before you go.
TM.30 vs the 90-Day Report: Don't Mix Them Up.
New teachers confuse these two all the time. The simple version is that your landlord files the TM.30 and you file the TM.47.
| Form | Who Files It? | When? | What It's For |
|---|---|---|---|
| TM.30 Notification | The landlord, hotel, or house master | Within about 24 hours of arriving at the address | Tells Immigration where a foreigner is staying |
| 90-Day Report (TM.47) | You, the foreign teacher | Every 90 days of continuous stay in Thailand | Confirms you are still in the country |
For how to count your 90 days and file the report, see our 90-day report guide (TM.47).
Three Steps for Your Address Paperwork.
This is the routine we walk every teacher through when they move into their own place.
Step 1: Ask Before You Sign
Before you pay a deposit, ask the owner directly whether they will file your TM.30. If they would rather you or your coordinator file it, ask for a signed copy of their house book (Tabien Baan) and Thai ID card.
Step 2: Your Host Files It
Your landlord files through the Immigration Bureau's online TM.30 system or at the provincial immigration office in person. Give them clean copies of your passport photo page and your latest entry stamp.
Step 3: Keep the Slip
Ask for the stamped paper slip or the online confirmation as soon as it is done. Put the slip in your passport folder and keep a clear photo on your phone for your next immigration visit.
We handle school matching, Non-B visa documents, and orientation for our teachers at a $0 placement fee. We're a placement agency, not the Immigration Bureau, but we'll guide you through each paperwork step.
Apply for Paid Teaching PlacementsFrequently Asked Questions.
What is a TM.30 form in Thailand?
TM.30 (ตม.30) is the notice required under Section 38 of the Immigration Act that tells Immigration where a foreigner is staying. The house master, property owner, possessor, or hotel manager files it, usually within about 24 hours of the foreigner arriving at the address.
Is it my responsibility or my landlord's to file the TM.30?
The filing duty belongs to the landlord, house master, or hotel. Your job as a teacher is to rent from someone who will actually file it, or who will give you the documents needed to file, and then keep the slip. Ask this before you sign a lease or pay a deposit.
What happens if my landlord does not file the TM.30?
A fine commonly cited at up to 2,000 THB for a private house is possible, and more for hotels. For teachers, the bigger problem is a frozen extension: many provincial immigration offices will not move your Non-B extension or related paperwork forward until a TM.30 for your address is on file.
Do I need a new TM.30 every time I travel outside Thailand?
Many provinces, but not all, want a fresh TM.30 when you come back from a trip abroad, even to the same apartment. Practice differs between provincial offices, so check with your local immigration office or your KET coordinator before you travel.
What is the difference between TM.30 and the 90-day report (TM.47)?
Your landlord or hotel files the TM.30 when you arrive at an address. You file the 90-day report (TM.47) yourself every 90 days you stay continuously inside Thailand. TM.30 is about where you sleep; TM.47 confirms you are still here.
How do I get proof of my TM.30 for immigration extension visits?
If your landlord files in person, the office stamps a paper tear-off slip. If they file online, they can print or save the confirmation. Keep the slip in your passport folder and a clear photo on your phone.
Matthew John
Co-Founder & Operations Manager · 20 Years in ThailandMatthew arrived in Northern Thailand 20 years ago and lives in Ban Lum, Sukhothai with his family. He oversees teacher placements, school orientations, and legal onboarding across central and northern provinces. For volunteer residencies or teaching questions, reach out via matthew@kids-english.org.
