When you must report an address change
You are required to file a TM.28 address change notification within 24 hours of moving to a new residential address. This applies whether you are renting an apartment, house, condominium, or staying with friends. The 24-hour window begins from the time you move in, not from the time you sign a rental agreement.
The requirement applies to all foreign nationals holding any of the following:
- Retirement visas (O-A and O-X)
- Digital Nomad Visas (DTV)
- Education (ED) visas
- Non-immigrant visas (work, business, dependent)
- Elite visas
- Non-O visas and other long-stay permits
- Any foreigner staying in Thailand longer than 90 consecutive days
Short-stay tourists on visa-exempt entry or tourist visas are exempt if their stay does not exceed 60 days. However, if you extend your tourist stay beyond 60 days or convert to a longer-term visa, the address reporting requirement applies from that point forward.
How to report an address change
Method 1: Direct filing with TM.28 form
You can file a TM.28 address change notification directly with your local immigration office. Visit immigration in person, complete the TM.28 form, provide your passport and proof of the new address, and submit. Processing typically takes 10 to 20 minutes. Immigration offices are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
For Chiang Mai residents, the main immigration office is located at 71 Moo 3, Airport Road, Suthep Sub-district, Muang District, Chiang Mai 50200. You will receive a stamp in your passport confirming the address change has been registered.
Main office for all immigration services. For TM.28 filings, arrive early and bring your original passport, completed form, and proof of address. Processing is typically quick on weekday mornings. A secondary office at Central Festival shopping mall offers selected services (address changes, tourist visa extensions, and others) but call ahead to confirm availability.
Method 2: Landlord TM.30 notification
Your landlord or accommodation provider can submit a TM.30 residence registration form on your behalf. Many landlords do this automatically when you sign a lease agreement. The TM.30 notifies immigration of your new residence and fulfills the address notification requirement. Ask your landlord to confirm they have filed the TM.30 within 24 hours of your move-in date.
If using this method, you should request written confirmation or a copy of the filed TM.30 for your records. This serves as proof that your address has been registered with immigration.
Required documents and address proof
To file a TM.28 address change notification, you will need:
- Original passport – with current visa and entry stamps visible
- TM.28 form – available at immigration offices or printable from official Thai immigration websites
- Proof of new address – utility bill (water, electricity), rental contract, signed letter from landlord, or government ID with new address
- Completed form – TM.28 must be legibly filled in English or Thai, with your full name, passport number, old address, and new address
Pro tip: When moving, ask your landlord or accommodation to submit the TM.30 form and provide you with a dated copy. This fulfills the legal requirement and eliminates confusion about reporting timelines. Keep a copy with your immigration documents.
Penalties for late or missed reporting
| Situation | Fine / Consequence |
|---|---|
| Late filing (after 24-hour window but within reasonable time) | 2,000–3,000 THB |
| Discovered without current address registration | 3,000–5,000 THB |
| Repeated non-compliance or multiple unreported moves | Immigration record notation; potential visa renewal issues |
| Extended non-compliance or evasion | Potential blacklist status; visa cancellation risk |
Address change non-compliance is recorded on your immigration file. While a single missed or late report is typically a minor issue if corrected quickly, repeated violations or deliberate evasion can result in visa renewal denials or more serious immigration consequences.
In practice, if you move and realize you have not yet filed, contact immigration immediately to report the change. Most immigration officers will accept the filing even if slightly late, provided you come forward voluntarily. The penalty is typically reduced for self-reported violations compared to being discovered during a checkpoint or immigration audit.