TM30 deadline and penalty: the 24-hour rule, explained
Section 38 of Thailand's Immigration Act gives accommodation owners and managers 24 hours from a foreign guest's arrival to notify Immigration. Miss it, and Section 77 sets out the fine.
When does the 24-hour clock start
The 24 hours runs from the moment the foreign guest actually takes up residence at the address — the real check-in or arrival time, not the date on the booking or reservation. A guest booked to arrive on the 1st who actually shows up on the 3rd starts the clock on the 3rd.
The online system at tm30.immigration.go.th reflects this: it only accepts a notification for the day a guest arrives, or shortly after — it won't let a host file in advance of the guest actually arriving.
Penalty under Section 77
| Responsible person | Fine range | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| House owner or possessor | Up to 2,000 THB | Section 77, Immigration Act B.E. 2522 |
| Hotel manager | 2,000–10,000 THB | Section 77, Immigration Act B.E. 2522 |
This is general information, not legal advice — fines apply under Section 77, and how strictly they're enforced varies by immigration office and over time. Check with your local office for your situation.
What counts as filing on time
On time
- Filed on the same day the guest arrives, or the next calendar day within the 24-hour window
- Filed before any immigration inspection or visa extension request
Not on time
- Filed only after a guest is asked for proof at a visa office
- Filed days later, backfilling several guests at once
Beyond the fine
A missing or late TM30 doesn't just risk the fine. Immigration officers often ask for proof of a filed TM30 before processing a guest's 90-day report (TM47) or a visa extension, so a gap in filing can hold up something the guest needs. This page is general information, not legal advice — confirm how enforcement works with your local immigration office.
Where Prime Host fits in
Guests sorted by how close they are to the deadline
The dashboard shows "X hours left" or "past 24 h" for today's foreign guests, so the most urgent ones surface first.
Unknown-nationality guests still count
If a channel didn't send a guest's country, that guest still shows up on the list, tagged as unknown, instead of quietly falling through.
A reminder only
Prime Host tracks the 24-hour window from check-in — it can't see whether a filing actually happened. Filing itself is still done at tm30.immigration.go.th.
Frequently asked questions
What is the TM30 24-hour deadline?
Thai accommodation owners or managers have 24 hours from the moment a foreign guest actually arrives to notify Immigration, under Section 38 of the Immigration Act.
What happens if I file TM30 late?
Section 77 of the Immigration Act sets a fine for missing the Section 38 deadline — up to 2,000 THB for a house owner or possessor, and 2,000–10,000 THB if the responsible person is a hotel manager.
Does TM30 affect my guest's 90-day report or visa extension?
It can. Immigration officers often ask for proof a TM30 was filed before processing a guest's 90-day report or a visa extension, so a missing filing can hold up what the guest needs.
When exactly does the 24-hour clock start?
From the guest's actual arrival or check-in at the address — not the date on their booking. The online system won't accept a filing before that actual arrival.
Is TM30 enforcement strict everywhere?
It varies by immigration office and over time. This page is general information, not legal advice — check with your local office for how it applies to you.
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