Ultimate Guide: Thailand’s TM47 90-Day Report (2026 TDAC Update) 🛡️
🤫 SHHH... THE 2026 TM47 INTEL
Welcome to the 2026 Definitive Field Manual for 90-Day Reporting. Forget the 2025 rules; the paper TM6 is officially dead. In 2026, staying legal means mastering the TDAC (Digital Arrival Card) and the 100% biometric integration. This guide is your high-authority "Lifeboat" for navigating Thai Immigration without the fines.
- ✅ 🏢 Window: 15 Days Before / 7 Days After
- ✅ 📍 Cost: 0 THB (Official) / 2,000 THB (Late)
- ✅ 💰 Verification: TM30 Receipt Required
🛡️ TM47 STRATEGY: THE 2026 DEPLOYMENT
In 2026, the TM47 is no longer just a "check-in"—it is a live digital handshake between you and the Royal Thai Immigration Bureau. With the full rollout of the 2026 Digital Work Permit, your 90-day report is now the primary "legal shield" for your career in the Kingdom.
⚡ THE MISSION PARAMETERS
- The Mission: Officially notify Thai Immigration of your current residence to maintain your "Permitted to Stay" status.
- The Frequency: Mandatory every 90 consecutive days spent inside Thailand.
- The Reset: Your 90-day clock wipes to zero the moment you cross the border. Fly to Bali on Day 89? You don’t owe a report. When you land back in Bangkok, you start again at Day 1.
🏛️ THE VETERAN COMMANDMENTS
| Aspect | Tactical Requirement |
|---|---|
| Priority | High. Non-compliance freezes your Work Permit data. |
| Cost | 0 THB (Standard) / 2,000 THB (Late Fine). |
| Requirement | Must be linked to a valid TM30 Address Registration. |
Veteran Insight: "I've seen teachers lose their jobs because they thought a 90-day report was a visa extension. It is NOT. One confirms where you live; the other confirms how long you can stay. Always check your Full Non-B Overview to keep your head in the game." — Matthew John
🆔 THE DIGITAL SHIFT: TDAC INTEGRATION
The era of scribbling on paper forms mid-flight is over. In 2026, your 90-day report hinges entirely on the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)—the high-tech successor to the old TM6 card.
⚡ THE NEW MISSION CRITICALS
- The Mandate: Since May 2025, every foreign arrival (Air, Land, or Sea) must register at tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours of landing.
- The Link: Your 90-day report (TM47) is now digitally tethered to your TDAC record. If you don't have your reference number, the system will not find your entry data.
- The Pro-Tip: Without a valid TDAC record in the biometric database, the 2026 online immigration system will auto-reject your filing.
🔍 WHERE IS YOUR TDAC NUMBER?
If you can't find your number, do not panic. Follow this recovery protocol:
- Check your Email: Search for "TDAC Confirmation" or "Thailand Immigration Bureau."
- Look for the QR: It is a 10-digit alphanumeric code located directly under your entry QR code.
- Digital Vault: If you're a KET teacher, check your Teacher Portal—we keep a digital backup of your entry credentials for this exact reason.
Veteran Insight: "I've seen more 'Rejected' notices in 2026 due to incorrect TDAC numbers than any other reason. It is the single most important string of digits in your passport right now. Treat it like your PIN number." — Matthew John
🌐 DEPLOYMENT METHOD: HOW TO FILE
In 2026, you have two primary strike paths. Choose your method based on your timeline and your location.
| Feature | 🌐 Option 1: Online Portal | 🏢 Option 2: In-Person |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Tech-savvy veterans & repeat filers. | New arrivals, new passports, or glitch fixes. |
| Window | 15 Days BEFORE due date only. | 15 Days Before to 7 Days AFTER. |
| Speed | 1-3 Business Days (Approval). | Same-day (Immediate Receipt). |
| Reliability | High (if the server is up). | 100% (The gold standard). |
💻 OPTION 1: THE ONLINE PORTAL (THE PRO MOVE)
The Official Online Portal is the fastest way to stay legal without leaving your desk.
- Login/Register: Access the "Version 2026" portal.
- The TDAC Key: Enter your Digital Arrival Card reference number.
- Submit: Fill out the digital TM47.
- Verification: Check back in 48 hours. Once it says "Approved," download the PDF receipt.
⚠️ WARNING: Online filing is NOT for first-time reports on a new visa. You must "activate" your digital footprint in person first.
🏢 OPTION 2: IN-PERSON (FIELD CHECK-IN)
If the portal is "Under Maintenance" or you've entered the 7-day grace period, you must go to the office.
- Bangkok: Visit Chaeng Watthana (Counter 3) or the One-Stop Center at One Bangkok.
- The Heartland: Visit your local provincial office (e.g., Sukhothai or Chiang Mai).
- The Document Stack: * Original Passport + Copies (ID, Visa, Entry Stamp).
- Completed TM47 Form (Signed in blue ink).
- Copy of your TM30 Address Registration.
Veteran Move: "Arrive at 8:15 AM. Thai Immigration is more efficient than ever in 2026, but the early bird avoids the 11:00 AM rush. If you're a KET teacher, check your WhatsApp—we've already sent you a pre-filled PDF of your address to save you time." — Matthew John
⚠️ RISK MANAGEMENT: FINES & PENALTIES
In 2026, Thai Immigration is more integrated than ever. Your TM47 status is now linked to your Digital Work Permit and the ThaID app. Ignoring your 90-day report isn't just a "small mistake"—it’s a digital red flag on your record.
💸 THE 2026 PENALTY STACK
- Late Filing (Self-Reported): 2,000 THB. This applies if you walk into the office or try to report within the 7-day grace period after your due date.
- Caught Without Reporting: Up to 5,000 THB + 200 THB per day. If you are stopped at a police checkpoint or an immigration audit finds you are non-compliant, the fine is much steeper.
- The "Blacklist" Risk: Repeated failures or long-term non-compliance can lead to your visa extension being denied, deportation, or a "black mark" that makes future entries into Thailand difficult.
Veteran Insight: "I tell every teacher at KET: Set your phone calendar for Day 80. Filing early via the Online Portal is free and takes 5 minutes. Paying 2,000 THB because you forgot a date is a rookie mistake." — Matthew John
❓ 2026 VETERAN FAQ (THE MASTER LIST)
Q1: Can a US Citizen stay in Thailand for 90 days without reporting?
A: Only if you leave before Day 90. If you enter on a 60-day Tourist Visa and extend for 30 days (totaling 90), you generally exit before the report is due. However, if you are on a Non-Immigrant Visa or the DTV, you must report if your stay is continuous beyond 90 days.
Q2: What is the real difference between TM30 and TM47?
It's simple: TM30 is where you sleep; TM47 is that you're still there.
- TM30: Your landlord reports your arrival within 24 hours. This is a prerequisite.
- TM47: You report your presence every 90 days. You cannot do your TM47 if your TM30 Address Registration isn't in the system!
Q3: My school said they handle my visa. Do I still do the 90-day report?
A: YES. Unless you have a top-tier agent or a very hands-on HR department, 90-day reporting is a personal legal responsibility. At Kids English Thailand, we send you the alerts, but you have to verify the data.
Q4: I lost my TDAC number. Am I in trouble?
A: Not yet. You can retrieve it at tdac.immigration.go.th. In 2026, you must have this number to use the online TM47 system. If you can't find it, you'll have to report in-person.
Q5: I just got a new passport. Can I still report online?
A: NO. If you have a brand new passport, the 2026 digital system won't recognize your new passport number for the first report. You must visit the immigration office in person once to "link" your new passport to your visa records. After that, you can go back to using the Online Portal.
Q6: Do my children need to do 90-day reporting?
A: In Thailand, children under the age of 15 are generally exempt from the 2,000 THB fine for late reporting, but it is still "best practice" to include them. Once they hit 15, they are legally required to file their own TM47 just like an adult.
Q7: Can I file my 90-day report at any immigration office?
A: No. You must file it at the immigration office responsible for the area where you live (the address on your TM30). If you live in Sukhothai, you can't report at Chaeng Watthana in Bangkok unless you officially move your address in the system first.
Q8: What happens if I’m sick and can’t go in person?
A: You can authorize someone else to go for you! They will need your original passport, the completed TM47 form signed by you, and a simple "Power of Attorney" form. This is why many teachers use an agent or a trusted colleague if they miss the online window.
Veteran Insight: "I see people try to 'game the system' by pretending they lost their passport to avoid a late fine. In 2026, everything is biometric. They will see your history in two clicks. Don't lie to immigration; just pay the fine and stay clean." — Matthew John
🚀 PRO-TIPS FOR A SMOOTH 90-DAY REPORT
- Arrive Early (The 8:15 Rule): For in-person visits at Chaeng Watthana or your local Heartland office, arrive 15 minutes before opening.
- Screenshot Everything: Always save a PDF or screenshot of your "Approved" online status. The paper slip can fall out of your passport; a cloud backup lasts forever.
- Use Official Links: Avoid "Express" websites that charge fees. Use the Official Immigration Portal or trusted veterans like Siam Legal.
- The KET Lifeboat: If you're a teacher under the KET Umbrella, we’ve already pre-vetted your documents. If you hit a snag, our Sukhothai operations team is just a WhatsApp away.
