TM30 fines: what happens if you don't file or file late
The penalties in the law, a real fine from an immigration office, and how to make sure your property is never fined.
In short
| Who must file | Fine (Section 77) |
|---|---|
| House master, owner or occupier of a house, condo or room | Up to 2,000 baht |
| Hotel manager | 2,000 to 10,000 baht |
The penalty is a fine only. There is no prison term for this offence.
What the law says
Section 38 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 requires the house master, owner or occupier of a dwelling, or the hotel manager, who houses a foreigner with permission to stay temporarily, to notify the local immigration office within 24 hours of the foreigner's arrival. Where there is no immigration office, notify the local police station.
Section 77 says anyone who fails to comply with Section 38 is liable to a fine not exceeding 2,000 baht, but a hotel manager is liable to a fine of 2,000 to 10,000 baht.
Note that for hotels the law sets a minimum fine of 2,000 baht.
A real example
In April 2025, Chiang Rai Immigration found a house owner in Mae Sai district housing one foreigner without notifying within 24 hours, and fined them 1,600 baht.
In practice the amount is set by the officer for each case, up to the maximum in Section 77.
Other consequences
- Problems for your guests: foreigners are often asked about where they stay when they deal with immigration, for example to extend their stay. Without a TM30 they may have to come back and ask you to file.
- More inspections: officers inspect accommodation from time to time, and places with past problems are often checked again.
How to avoid fines
File every day at the same time
Pick a fixed time, such as every morning after late check-ins, with one person responsible and a backup on days off.
File many guests at once with Excel
The immigration system imports many guests from one Excel file. See how to file TM30 online.
Don't forget late check-ins
The 24 hours run from the guest's arrival. A guest arriving at 2 am must be filed by 2 am the next day.
Keep proof every time
Export the proof from the system, because the search page only shows the last 7 days.
Stop typing passport details by hand
Upload passport photos and TM30Auto reads the name, gender, passport number and nationality, then gives you the Excel file in immigration's template. It runs on your device and photos are never uploaded. 5 free scans a day.
This article is general information for accommodation operators, not legal advice. Immigration rules and websites can change. Check the latest requirements with your local immigration office.