General Immigration Help

So... When do I have to report to Immigration?

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First, be sure to check the latest “Stay Until Date” you have stamped in your passport. Do not overstay! You must leave Thailand by this date or have extended your stay with Immigration. There are also other times when you need to report. We have described some of the important topics here (like when you intend to stay in Thailand beyond 90 consecutive days, or you have just returned from another country, or you have just moved to a new address). [Caveat Emptor: This is a free community service. We do not claim to be visa experts and all information is to be taken as advisory only.] We trust that you will find the following helpful.

If you are new to Chiang Mai...

Make careful note and keep track of your Stay Until Date in your passport so you do not overstay your authorised stay in Thailand (for penalties and consequences see Overstay Advisory below). There are many aspects to obtaining and processing the different types of Thai visas, each requiring its own extensive research. Some might also find this article helpful: Visa options for missionaries. However, you cannot legitimately do either volunteer or paid work on a Retirement Visa (in addition see this article on work permit requirements for volunteer work). If you are part of a school, business, NGO or volunteer foundation, it is best to follow their guidelines in discussing with them how they might be able to assist you when applying for future visa changes/extensions of stay in Thailand. They also can give you advice on taking out a Re-Entry permit that protects, and does not void, your long-term visa should you need to fly out and return to Thailand. As an alternative, perhaps seek the advice of a visa agent in Chiang Mai. (Note: we do not recommend any particular agent but you can refer to our CCCC Community Map for help finding their locations).

[Please Note: If you are on a 60-day Visa-on-Arrival or a Tourist Visa, even through your Stay Until Date may not be up for 2 months after you arrive, please verify with Immigration that you do not need to extend your visa or at least check in with them to verify where you are staying every 30 days. (There appears to be some ambiguity about this.)]

Following are different ways to handle repetitive routine time-consuming Immigration reporting requirements which most foreign nationals will encounter if they choose to remain long-term in Thailand. The CCCC provides this as a free community service to help folks work together as efficiently and effectively as possible, thus saving everyone time and headaches. Hopefully, you will find the following topics useful as you continue to live in Thailand.

For starters, begin counting 89 days from the first day you arrived in Thailand, this will help you to anticipate when your first 90-day notification report is due (should you continue to stay beyond that date).

• How Do You Locate the Various Immigration Offices in Chiang Mai? - Just search for “Immigration” on our Chiang Mai Community Map at https://sites.google.com/site/ccccrecent/home/chiang-mai-map-cccc.

Re-Entry Permits

Warning! -- DO NOT leave Thailand without FIRST obtaining your RE-ENTRY PERMIT! You may also need to obtain one for each visa-holding person traveling with you whose continued permission to stay in Thailand is also dependent upon your visa remaining in force after each of you return to Thailand. If you should omit or forget to take this simple but critical step (prior to departing Thailand) you would automatically make null and void your current Thailand visa! This can affect the dependent visas of other family members as well -- especially important if you hold a Work Permit and intend to continue your work in Thailand. [NOTE: This does not affect those who hold short-term visas (e.g., tourist visas) and are leaving permanently. It also should not matter to those holding multi-entry visas. But it is essential for those whose continued stay in Thailand is governed by a (hard-earned) long-term visa they had hoped to continue to use upon their return to Thailand.]

When you exit Thailand, keep in mind that Immigration does not necessarily warn you that you forgot to obtain your re-entry permit. Over the years there have been too many disappointing stories of folks returning to Thailand only to find out their long-term work visa had been cancelled when they had left Thailand earlier (when they forgot or did not take time to apply for a Re-Entry Permit). Then, if they had intended to continue their work here, they had to start their entire visa application process all over again (often at an additional cost of thousands of baht and many weeks of work). This can impact your Work Permit as well. Re-Entry Permits cost 1000 baht per single entry per each visa-holding family member traveling. But it will save you a lot of grief in the long run. For the few exceptions as to when you may not need a re-entry permit and other info, please refer to this article: “Thai Re-Entry Permit Explained”.

Last-minute chance opportunity to obtain a Re-entry Permit stamp in your passport if still needed -- in case you had not earlier obtained your Re-entry Permit ahead of time. On the day of your international flight, if you have prepared the required photos for each family member traveling with with you along with their completed Re-Entry forms, have enough Thai baht currency to pay AND have in hand an international flight boarding pass for each, both Chiang Mai and Bangkok Immigration provide a Re-entry Booth at their international airports to process last-minute Re-entry Permit(s). If you are departing Chiang Mai on an international flight, you may want to use their Re-entry Permit desk to apply for and receive your Re-entry Permit (if you want one), however, you must obtain your permit BEFORE you pass through the International Immigration Exit Checkpoint (located upstairs just before entering the International Departure lounge/waiting area for your international flight). This Immigration Re-entry booth has a small counter (located immediately to the LEFT of the International DEPARTURE Security check x-ray machine) and typically Immigration only has just one IO staffing it. Prepare your paperwork in advance and plan to arrive at the upstairs 2nd level International Departure processing area an extra 30-60 minutes early (don't be surprised when you find others lined up at the small Re-Entry desk who also need to process their last-minute minute permits at last minute). If you have a large family traveling with you, it might be best to obtain your required re-entry permits for each person ahead of your day of departure at Immigration (or at Airport Provincial Immigration after July 2018) in order to allow for the necessary time to patiently process these for each family member. Also see this map of the Chiang Mai Airport Terminal.

One person (David) suggested the following is needed (source: Farang Community CM FaceBook group):

"A completed TM-8 form

The correct fee

A 2-inch photo

Photocopy of passport (main page and latest entry stamp)

The current fees for re-entry permits are as follows:

1,000 Baht for single

3,800 Baht for multiple

(They do not provide photocopy or photo services for you.)"

Airport Provincial Immigration Office Complex

Chiang Mai Provincial Immigration (source: Google Maps)

All immigration related services are now being handled at the airport location. This includes peripheral services such as TM.47 walk-in reporting, Certificates of Residence, TM.30 updates (for those returning from abroad to the same address) Call tel. 05328 2289 for more information.

http://www.chiangmaiimm.com/en/news/advertise/109-2018-06-12-10-20-56.html. Mail-in 90-day (TM.47) reports should continue to be sent to the same Chiangmai Immigration address that folks have been accustomed to mailing (see small Investigations office in the southwest corner of the API office complex MAP):

71 Moo 3 Sanambin Road

T. Suthep A. Muang

Chiang Mai 50200

Transportation:

Getting There by RTC Bus: To reach the Airport Provincial Immigration offices (API) by bus from Chiang Mai, click on the new RTC bus route (in red) you see displayed in front of the offices on this API Map. To view bus stops and to check when the next RTC bus is going to arrive, refer to the RTC bus route real time progress marker (there is an app supposedly available for mobile phone): http://chiangmai.yusai.asia/app/#/app/map. The first time you try it, you may want to stick with the standard RTC bus stops -- especially when boarding. To disembark, you may also want to get off at the Chiang Mai Airport RTC Bus Stop (CNX) and walk the 300 meters east to the Provincial offices (or, if they allow it, ask the driver if in the future he/she could let you stop closer to Immigration). The air-conditioned RTC bus runs from 6 am - 11 pm daily and only costs 20 baht. Service begins April 2018 (before the API offices open).

Bus from Hang Dong area: Take the Por Aor 10 bus (20 baht) to the Central Airport Plaza or Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) and walk to API offices: http://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/news/chiang-mai-bus-routes-in-english/

Parking: There is a new car park area in front of the new 3-storey building. Some of these spaces may be reserved for staff parking. The petrol station across the street has offered a few spaces (for a fee) in the past. Some visitors also have been known to park at the Chiang Mai Airport (300 m. walk to the API) or at Airport Plaza (a little further away).

Chiang Mai Immigration Calendar / Forecast

Government holidays, when Immigration is scheduled to be closed on any M-F business day, are maintained on their CM Immigration Public Calendar (scroll forward to see future month holiday closures). Immigration updates this at any time -- even during the week of the actual closure. [Whenever possible, avoid going in person on Mondays and on the business day immediately before and after a government holiday.]

July 2018 - hopefully, Immigration will have announced what days it will shut down for the transfer of (some) personnel, services and equipment to the Airport Provincial Immigration campus. Expect July and August to be somewhat busy until Immigration gets sorted and is again up to speed. Also many newcomers arrive in July just before the international school year. See more info in the CCCC Airport Provincial Immigration Office section above.

Factors Contributing to 90-day Reporting Delays and Long Queues - Late July to early August is one of the four most active TM.47 90-day reporting cycles (repeat of an annual trend) . Anticipate TM.47 lines to swell and reach peak amplitude each and every following 80-90-day period. Mid-week afternoons tend to be better than morning for TM.47 walk-in reporting. Note: You can help reduce backup and manage queues by

• submitting your 90-day report online, or,
• filling out forms ahead of time before walk-ins, or,
• filing your 90-day reporting forms by mail.

Why do Immigration queues seem so impacted during certain times of the year? - While some months, like, November, February-March and May-June are outside of the busier 90-day busy cycles, there are 4 particularly busy cycles or waves during the year: July into mid August then recurring every 3 months onward (watch out for that first month of each quarter.) Reason: Newcomers, including many families (some required to file at least 3-4 simultaneous 90-day reports) start to arrive to volunteer or work in CM in time for the international school year. If they have not travelled outside of country (usually most do not) they need to report again each following consecutive 90-day period. In addition, many new arrivals have to apply for new visas or are required to have their landlords file their initial TM.30 report. Those returning in July have to update their TM-30 report. Other factors:

• Some make use of Immigration’s Online 90-Day Reporting website.
• Others have had consistent success by simply Mailing their 90-day reports to Immigration.
• A number of people are using visa service agents to do their stay extension processing and notification reporting - several agencies available around town [for list -- search the CCCC Map’s banner lens for the word “visa”] -- all willing to file your 90-day notification report for you -- but for a fee (average ~ 300 baht per report). These same agents also can assist you with filing your stay extension (for a higher price). But they will check to make sure forms are properly completed and also save you the inconvenience of waiting in line. [Note: Most visa agents will offer to queue in line at Immigration even during early morning hours as your surrogate -- one of the key reasons many folks use their services].
• Tourist visa applications - Also expect foot traffic at Immigration to once again pick up during November-January when many new seasonal tourists arrive in Chiang Mai from latitudes above and below the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. However, their numbers will dwindle again as folks typically leave town to avoid the annual low-air-quality-index season (February-March).
• NOTE: Marriage and Retirement Visa Exception - unaffected by any "slower" seasonal trends, expect queues for processing these extensions to be busy year round.

Lampang Immigration Office

• Lampang Immigration Office @ สภอ.เมืองลำปาง | GPS: 18.29067, 99.50267 -- see MAP | The Lampang Immigration Office is located at the Lampang Royal Thai Police Station | 3 Boonyawat T. Hua Wiang, Mueang Lampang, Lampang 52100 | Tel. 054- 209-534 | Photo: https://goo.gl/maps/fDunCwBcF9N2 (03/2017)

Lamphun Immigration Office

Click Here to find the Lamphun Immigration office on the CCCC Map (then select the building icon you see in map center).

Overstay of Thailand Visa - Advisory

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQkaE2aido4, http://tratimmigration.com/thailand-visa-overstay-regulations/ and http://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand/overstay-visa-thailand.php

Types of Thai Visas

see http://tratimmigration.com/thailand-visas/

Visa / Immigration Form Download

see this helpful ThaiVisa post from Ubonjoe: www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631223-immigration-templates/?tab=comments#comment-11882320

Work Permits

These work in tandem with your type of visa. Please see the Thai foundation or institution you are under for questions. MAP for the Chiang Mai Employment (work permits) Office.

Thailand Immigration Announcements

(Source: www.chiangmaiimm.com/en/)

TM.30 Reporting Procedure - Report of Alien in Residence

Where to Report: Airport Provincial Immigration office. Usually there is a very short wait if you are simply updating your TM.30 information already on file with Immigration (avoid Mondays and days following holidays.) For TM.30 updates, many have reported they have continued to use the small Airport Provincial Immigration office "building 3" located in the southwest corner of this MAP. (03/2018)

CM Immigration has been expecting some to have their TM.30 reports already be on file for first time visa applications and increasingly for subsequent stay extensions. A copy of your TM.30 report receipt may also be required for other applications such as Residence Certificates (may depend on if you are filing with them directly or if you are working through a visa agent).

As an expat living in Thailand and especially if you are under the authority of Chiang Mai Immigration, you should carry, in your passport, your receipt for your current TM.30 report. If you or your landlord have never filed this necessary report, not only can your landlord technically be fined, but Immigration has been known to delay visa renewal / stays-of-extension for some who do not have this report on file. This has caught many tenants and their landlords unaware. Unfortunately, it is often the expat who pays the consequences so you may want to bring your landlord up to date of this requirement. [Note: If you are not a tenant, we recommend that you go to Immigration and explain your unique situation (respectful use of Thai language has come in handy in many of these negotiations).]

For additional background as to how and why the TM.30 is being enforced, please see this video recommended by one of the contributors on ThaiVisa. [Note: this video was produced for Jomtien Immigration, however, its practices are still applicable to Chiang Mai Immigration. Just ignore sure to ignore references to links and other email addresses provided since these are for Jomtien. Be aware that for Chiang Mai, there is not an email option to submit a TM.30 report -- instead, see the first paragraph on Where to Report to Immigration.]:

Thai Immigration Advisory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tStMlfgVu8Y

Initial Filing -- A couple of years ago Immigration had allowed tenants with the correct documentation to successfully file their initial TM.30 report on behalf of their absentee landlord (provided they had supplied all supporting docs -- see “Detailed Requirements” below). In so doing, these renters were able to complete their missing TM.30 report that their landlord was supposed to have originally filed for them -- technically within 24 hours after they first occupied their rental home, however, lately it seems that CM Immigration has relaxed the time frame a little (but still a good idea to do as soon as possible following a move).

Check with Immigration for current requirements as to whether you can file this on behalf of your landlord. Last year (while TM.30 reporting was still being done behind the old Airport Immigration office) some Chiang Mai Immigration Officer there said at that time only the landlord, or his/her designated Thai representative, should present file the tenant’s initial TM.30 report. One expat tenant wrote the CCCC when they were turned away when they attempted to file their initial TM.30 reports by themselves: "...I would recommend that in general if the landlord is not personally present to do the registration, that the Thai national in their stead will need a power of attorney form signed by the landlord. This is not something that is listed on the immigration website. I found one online here which I believe would suffice, although I didn't use it myself. http://phomes.perfecthomeschia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Power-of-Attorney-Form.pdf. The article which references this form is here, and is a very helpful explanation of the TM30 process: http://perfecthomes.co.th/tm030-registration-thailand/.". Advice: Check with Imm for their current requirements

What if I just want to UPDATE an Existing TM.30 Report - In contrast, it is a lot easier to simply update your old TM.30 report receipt. Perhaps you have recently gone out of country, received a new Arrival/Departure Card # and new entry date, and now you are required to update your TM.30 information you have on file with Immigration. The good news is that Imm has been allowing self-reporting updates solely by the expat to his/her prior existing TM.30 report info that is already on file with Chiang Mai Immigration -- provided he/she returns to the exact same residence and reports immediately after being out of country (they say within 24 hours but have allowed some to report up to a week later without penalty). In these cases, it often does not take very long to wait in queue (and you do not have to go in early morning -- just go directly to the Imm 3rd floor office and avoid Mondays and days adjacent to holiday closures). CM Immigration quickly enters/updates the expats TM.30 information (new Arrival/Departure card # and most recent Date of Entry) in their database and then endorses/date stamps their existing TM.30 receipt that the expat has (if they had kept their old receipt pinned in their passport and not lost it). You would do this for each household/family member whenever they re-enter the country (avoid Mondays and days before and after holidays). If you had lost your old receipt, Immigration may be able to print you a new copy provided they still have info on file for you from your previous TM.30 report.

Again, as an expat tenant it is your responsibility to inform your landlord and to keep your TM.30 info with Immigration up to date every single time that you or anyone in your household exits the country and re-enters Thailand (and you acquire a new Arrival Card - TM.6), as long as you are returning to the same rental address.

It is always in your best interest to ensure that your TM.30 report is properly filed and up to date. Not only is Immigration now checking if your TM.30 receipt (and info in their database) is up-to-date when you go to extend your stay in Thailand (some have referred to this as a visa extension or renewal), but you may also need to show it if you ever apply directly to Immigration for other procedures, like obtaining a Certificate of Residency. (Some have also suggested that including a copy of their TM.30 receipt has helped to speed approval of their TM.47 90-day report they had mailed in.)

If you live in a large condominium complex, check with the designated juristic person to see if they have already filed your TM.30 report for you. (If they had, ask for a confirmation copy to include with your passport.)

What is Required (also see detailed list below): signed copy of the first page of the TM.30 form (scroll down to item #28 at this link and download) for each foreigner staying in your home. However, you only have to submit one signed copy of the report’s second page listing for your entire family (on the second page you must record the required info for each member in your home). Each person should keep a copy of the submitted report confirmation receipt in his/her passport (again, do not remove this slip from your passport when you temporarily leave Thailand and plan to return to the same address -- Immigration will update this same receipt with a new date stamp when you file your next TM.30 report upon re-entry).

Note: Any future 90-day notification TM.47 reports that you also submit should conform with your TM.30 information. In the event that folks find their 90-day reports are not being approved, or if they receive a message to report to their local Immigration office in person (whether they file online or by mail), there is a fair chance that they (or their landlord) had never filed their initial TM.30 report (or it does not appear in Immigration’s database) since they last entered/returned to Thailand. (CM Immigration may also be using your TM.30 report information when processing your next 90-day report to see if your Arrival (Departure) Card ID matches what is current.)

What do I do if I should go on domestic holiday or attend a conference within Thailand for just a few days? Do I still need to file another TM.30 when I return? - There has been much controversy about this situation. If you are part of an organization, it is our recommendation to just follow the advice of your administrator as to their current position. While some some popular sites (with normally accurate information) still claim you also to need to file an additional TM.30 report after each and every domestic overnight trip when you stay in hotel or guest house in another province, we have observed this is not consistently enforced. Many tenants who have gone to Chiang Mai Immigration have been told this is no longer necessary for domestic-only travel (this is based on general repeatable patterns verified by personal experience).

To again clarify, If you are a tenant (and not a homeowner living in their own home) and have confined your domestic travel to only within Thailand (even if you have traveled to, and temporarily stayed, in another one of Thailand‘s provinces) and if you keep returning to the same home residence listed on your current TM.30 and you do not at any time in your temporary travel, venture outside of Thailand’s borders, Chiang Mai Immigration Officers appear to be lenient about not requiring such tenants to update their TM.30 report information.

Please Note -- So far… we have not heard of tenants (those renting or leasing) being fined for not updating their TM.30 information after going on a brief domestic trip to attend an overnight conference or stay in another province provided they still remained only within Thailand. However, we recently learned of a situation of one alien homeowner who lives in his own home being fined for a domestic trip they failed to report. IF this becomes a repeatable pattern, it would suggest Immigration may hold foreign homeowners (such as those who live in their own condominium) to a higher level of accountability whether they travel domestically or internationally.

[As always, caveat emptor, Immigration may suddenly invoke this requirement for those they discover have never filed an original TM.30, or for anyone else whom they may deem to fine in a confrontational situation.]

However, what is consistently enforced is that people have been fined when they have crossed a Thai border and then re-entered to Thailand (and had to complete a new arrival/departure form when they did), but failed to promptly update their TM.30 information on file with Immigration immediately after they re-entered Thailand. The law says within 24 hours, but if only a few days late, Chiang Mai Immigration has shown some grace (dress and act respectfully when you go to report).

If you have any concerns about your current status, just check with Immigration and see what records they might have on file for you, before you extend your next visa/stay.

(Source: www.chiangmaiimm.com/en/)

[Note: We have not heard of anyone being fined for not reporting temporary visitors in their home, yet. That said, please see the following.]

What about family, college students, or associates who are temporarily visiting from another country and staying in your home? We have heard that in the past Chiang Mai Immigration has allowed self-reporting by current tenants (who have a prior existing TM.30 report that is already on file with Immigration). In recently reported cases the tenant has gone with their new visitor to CM Immigration and presented the visitor's new Arrival/Departure card # and recent Date of Entry. In these cases the Immigration Office has simply updated the tenant’s existing TM.30 information in their database and prints a new TM.30 receipt for their new visitor to keep in his/her passport. Recommend that you do this shortly after your new visitor arrives in Chiang Mai. Note: Technically, it is your landlord’s responsibility to submit a new TM.30 report that now includes all of your visitor’s information on the TM.30 house roster (second page of report). As such, it is best to keep your landlord advised that you have a new visitor. But for the time being, see if Immigration can simply update their database for your visitor without your landlord having to accompany you. For those who have a condominium association available, check to see if they have TM.30 online access and can file these updates for you. Ask your visitor to retain his/her TM.30 receipt in their passport if they will be returning to your home for future visits. (03/2018)

Subletting: What about new tenants who are temporarily staying in the home I am continuing to lease while away from Thailand? Technically, this is your landlord's responsibility. However, Immigration may be willing to allow you and your "subletter" to file a TM.30 provided you have the proper signed TM.30 documentation from the landlord. It is best if the landlord also provides a temporary lease which specifies the names of the temporary tenants. Another alternative to to explore: if there is going to be some overlap between the time that you, as the current tenant, are leaving and when your new "house sitter" arrives, check with Immigration in advance (go in person or call 053-142-787 or 093-1313594) to see if the TM.30 Immigration Officers might allow the new person (including each family member) to simply be added to your existing TM.30 report info (i.e., page 2) as temporary guests/visitors (since each new person's passport #, arrival card ID is required, they may need to be present at the time of update). However, the IO may still maintain that you need to have your amended TM-30 report signed by your landlord. Also confirm with the IO if you would be allowed to leave for short-durations while your temporary guest "house sits" your home. Bear in mind that this would entirely depend upon the opinion of the IO (and their supervisor) with whom you are dealing at any particular time. Keep your landlord in the loop since the IO-in-charge may insist your landlord has to be the one who informs Immigration and prepares the update (or files an initial TM.30 report) for the new individual/family to whom you want to sublet. As a side note, this separate report by the landlord (for the house sitter/"subletter") should not abrogate nor void your own existing TM.30 report info (receipt in your passport). Of course, you will still need to update your existing TM.30 info soon after you return to Thailand to report your new Arrive Card ID and Arrival Date (assuming you are continuing to remain at the same address). [Note: if you have any updates to this info, please write crfthailand@gmail.com.]

What happens when I move/change residences? if you are a tenant, your new landlord (or you as the “possessor”) would need to submit a TM.30 form that the homeowner/housemaster would sign. If you also move to another province, whether or not as a tenant, it is your personal responsibility to also file a separate TM.28 report (see TM.28 reporting reporting procedure below).

What if I am the owner of my condominium/residence? Since you do not have a landlord, you (or your spouse if they are the owner) would submit the TM.30 -- for yourself and for each additional alien living in your home (some of the required documentation listed below may vary for owners). Do this when you first buy your residence and when you subsequently re-enter Thailand from a foreign country. For domestic trips, be aware that the only people we have heard of being fined for not checking in with immigration following domestic travel away from home (especially if it involved an overnight stay at a guesthouse or hotel in Thailand) are those who live in their own properties. CM Immigration appears to being less forgiving of owners in their requirement to update their TM.30 data following domestic travel.

Detailed Requirements (mainly for tenants) - items required to be submitted with your TM.30 report:

TM.28 Reporting Procedure - Alien Change of Address

[Required when Moving to a New Province]

You are only required to submit a TM.28 form (scroll down to item #27 at this link and download) when you formally change your permanent residence from your old province to a new province within Thailand. (Note: if you are renting, the TM.30 form is also expected from your landlord - see above procedure). However, if you move within the same province, and if you are a tenant, while your new landlord (or you as the “possessor”) would need to submit a TM.30 form (again see above procedure) that the homeowner/housemaster signs, however, no TM.28 report would be required of you. (Be prepared - Immigration may also ask to see a copy of your current lease agreement when you do the latter.) This is being enforced so that Chiang Mai Provincial Immigration learns immediately of foreign aliens transferring under their purview. We do not have a firm answer on this, but we assume that if you are moving within the same province then your TM.47--90-day notification report would cover notification of your new address -- again, if it is still within that same province, but that should conform with the new TM.30 that your new landlord was required to file when you moved to your new residence! (Always best to confirm with your local Immigration on this -- please notify crfthailand@gmail.com if you should hear anything otherwise.) TM.28 reports are filed at Chiang Mai Immigration.

Note: It is our understanding, according to a recent conversation with Immigration, that if you are only visiting temporarily in another province within Thailand (e.g., taking a week-long trip to Bangkok) then you do not need to submit a new TM.28 if you return to the exact same address where you were living before your trip. Furthermore, if you travel out of country and you return to the exact same address, likewise you also would not need to submit a TM.28 form.

Residence Certificates

For Chiang Mai Immigration-issued free Certificates of Residence, go to the Immigration Office (google “CCCC Map” if you do not know where this office is located). You must apply for your certificate between 9 and 11 a.m. in the morning. Immigration should have your residence certificate ready for collection by 2 p.m. from 1-7 business days later (in slow months). During busy seasons this can take up to 2 weeks.

Bring the following:

1. your passport;
2. completed Residence Certificate application form (click link);
3. 2 passport photos (6x4 cm with blue background) signed on back;
4. signed copIes of your passport’s main photo page, current visa page, and TM.6 (Departure Card);
5. copy of either lease agreement, House Book (tambien baan), or letter from landlord;
6. receipt of Notification of Alien in Residence report (your TM.30 receipt from your passport -- see above TM.30 procedure for questions);

Confirm with Immigration how long this certificate is effective (some say only 30 days after date of issue).

You can also obtain a Residence Certificate through your embassy or consulate. However, this typically requires an appointment with your consulate and a processing fee, but the life of the certificate may be in effect longer than a free one obtained from Immigration -- check with your consular service.

A helpful resource, found at http://tielandtothailand.com/certificate-residency/, also lists required documentation needed when applying for your certificate.

New Passport

Transferring Visa Stamps

How to transfer Immigration Visa stamps and info from old to new passport, please see this excellent write up from CMBob on TV: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1001661-transfer-stamps-to-new-passport/. (Note: with new passport numbers expect that online 90-day reporting will not work for you when you go to try to use it -- until you leave and re-enter Thailand. Use mail-in or walk-in instead.)

Foreign National Information Form

Chiang Mai Immigration is no longer requiring you to submit the Foreign National Information Form along with 90-day reports or visa applications.

Notification of Staying in the Kingdom over 90 Days

“If you are a foreigner staying in Thailand for a period longer than [consecutive] 90 days holding a Non-Immigrant Visa, you are required by Thai Immigration to report your current address every 90 days.” - Thai Immigration

How do I report? There are currently four choices:

1. Notification in Person - at the Immigration Office (cost of personal time). One family member can do this for the entire family (other members need not be present). When you line up, be sure to get a separate queue number for each member of your family reporting. Avoid Mondays and days following Immigration holidays if possible.
2. Registered Mail - small cost of registered postage and time to copy forms and mail. See procedure below.
3. Online 90-day Reporting - Immigration’s online reporting website has been temporarily available since the beginning of August 2017 (this could change at any time).
4. Agent Assistance Service for hire - more expensive (the office right next to IPO currently charges 300 baht per individual report).
• Online Immigration 90-Day Reporting Help ← CLICK

GO TO: https://sites.google.com/site/ccccrecent/home/immigration-online-reporting-help

CAVEAT: It is best to allow plenty of lead time and not become too dependent on the Immigration online 90-day reporting site. Should their site appear to be temporarily unavailable when you go to use it, try it again the next day, or use the Mail-In or In-Person reporting methods described below.

• 90-day Reporting in Person

Also see In-Person Notification Option. Here is the form you will need to complete processing this in person at the Chiang Mai IPO (similar to what you need for mail-in with photocopies of your required passport pages -- see mail-in procedure below): Click Here to see the most recent TM.47 July 2016 version. [Thanks to Darin D. and Christopher M.]

• Mail-In 90 day immigration Reporting Procedure

See Mail-in Reporting Simplified Work Flow

There is also an excellent write-up published on ThaisVisa on how to mail in your 90-day reports at http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/557382-90-day-report-procedures/ [special thanks to TV moderators Tywais and cmsally]:

Chiangmai Immigration

71 Moo 3 Sanambin Road

T. Suthep A. Muang

Chiang Mai

50200

Source they gave: http://www.chiangmaiimm.com/en/.

Expect some delay in receiving immediate confirmation by mail from Immigration after you have mailed your report -- especially during the predictably high volume cycles which occur during the first month of each quarter (Jan, April, July-Sept., October). So if you do use mail, send your report in early enough so that you have time to report in person if you do not receive your Approval confirmation slip before your report is overdue and you are vulnerable to be fined. Overdue reports can be especially costly for families -- 2000-5000 baht penalty plus 200 baht for each day overdue -- for each family member. [Note:. Should you ever not receive a returned Notification slip from Immigration by mail, phone Immigration 053-142787 ex. 12, or if necessary go in person to Immigration office and ask if they can print you a copy or your Notification slip you usually receive by mail. See What to Do When Mail-in Reporting is Delayed?