Thai immigration forms: complete guide to TDAC, TM30, TM7, TM8, TM47, TM86, TM87 and TM88
Living or travelling in Thailand means paperwork with TM numbers; arrival cards, address reports, visa extensions, re-entry permits, and 90-day notifications. Missing the wrong form triggers fines, rejected extensions, or entry delays.
Thai Visa Centre processes these forms daily for clients across Bangkok. This guide explains what each major form does, who files it, and when. With links to deeper walkthroughs on TM30 and 90-day reporting.
Complete before every entry; air, land, and sea, since May 2025.
Landlord or hotel must notify immigration within 24 hours of check-in.
Long-stay holders report address every 90 days while physically in Thailand.
Apply for extension of stay before current permission lapses, same-day queues start early.
Quick reference, all major forms
Use this table as your at-a-glance map. Each form serves a distinct purpose; confusing TDAC with a visa or TM47 with TM7 is one of the most common compliance errors we see at TVC.
| Form | Purpose | Who files | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| TDAC | Digital arrival/departure card | Traveller | Before every entry |
| TM6 | Paper arrival/departure card (legacy) | Traveller | Largely replaced by TDAC May 2025 |
| TM30 | Address notification | Landlord / hotel | Within 24 hours of check-in |
| TM28 | Foreigner address change notice | Foreigner | When moving to a new address |
| TM7 | Extension of stay | Visa holder | Before current permission expires |
| TM8 | Re-entry permit | Visa holder | Before leaving on single-entry long-stay visa |
| TM47 | 90-day report | Long-stay holder | Every 90 days in country |
| TM86 | Change of visa type | Applicant | Converting visa category inside Thailand |
| TM87 | Visa application (in-country) | Applicant | Selected in-country visa applications |
| TM88 | Visa on Arrival application | Traveller | At VOA counter |
TDAC: Thailand Digital Arrival Card
TDAC replaced the paper TM6 for most foreign nationals from May 2025. Every foreign arrival; tourist, Elite, marriage visa, all categories. Must complete TDAC up to 72 hours before arrival for air, land, and sea entry.
TDAC is not a visa. You still need visa, exemption, or VOA separately. Penalty for skipping: fines and delays at immigration. TVC offers TDAC assistance for travellers who need help.
TM6 legacy note: Keep any remaining TM6 receipts from transition periods. Extension applications historically referenced TM6 numbers. TDAC reference numbers now serve the same role.
TM30, TM28, and address compliance
TM30 notifies immigration where a foreigner sleeps. The property owner, landlord, or hotel must file, not always the guest. Deadline: within 24 hours of moving in via tm30.immigration.go.th.
When you move to a new address, foreigners may need TM28 linked to the TM30 chain. File after updating your lease and obtaining new TM30 from the new landlord. Bangkok Chaeng Wattana expects clean TM30/TM28 history for extensions. See our About TM30 guide for full detail.
Form details: TM7, TM8, TM86, TM87, TM88
Extensions, re-entry permits, in-country conversions, and VOA applications each use dedicated TM forms. Immigration checks supporting documents and TM30 history at every step.
| Form | Key details |
|---|---|
| TDAC | Mandatory for all foreign nationals since May 2025. Penalty for skipping: fines and delays at immigration. Not a substitute for a visa. |
| TM30 | Immigration checks TM30 when you extend visas, file 90-day reports, or apply for re-entry permits. If your landlord will not file, obtain their submission receipt for your records. |
| TM7 | Standard extension pack: TM7 form, passport, photos, supporting documents, TM30 receipt, extension fee. Tourist TR typically +30 days; Non-O marriage/retirement to one year. |
| TM8 | Available at immigration or airport counters; allow extra time. Multiple-entry visas and Elite membership generally do not need TM8. |
| TM86 | Converts visa category inside Thailand; e.g. tourist to Non-Immigrant ED. Requires 15+ days remaining on current stay and approved supporting institution. Not all conversions permitted in-country. |
| TM88 | VOA application form at airport or land border, or pre-approval via e-Visa VOA section. Pair with TDAC, passport, photo, funds proof, and onward ticket. |
How forms connect in a typical long-stay year
Work through these steps in order. Break any link; especially TM30 or TM47. And your next TM7 extension may fail. Elite members in Bangkok often use EPL drop-off for 90-day reporting instead of personal queuing.
Complete TDAC before arrival
Every foreign arrival must submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card up to 72 hours before entry at tdac.immigration.go.th. TDAC is not a visa. You still need exemption, VOA, or a proper visa separately.
Receive immigration entry stamp
At the checkpoint, immigration stamps your passport with permitted stay days. Keep your TDAC reference number. It replaces the old TM6 receipt role for extensions.
Landlord files TM30 within 24 hours
Your property owner, landlord, or hotel must file TM30 online within 24 hours of check-in. Without a TM30 receipt, many extension desks reject TM7 applications.
File TM47 every 90 days
While physically in Thailand on a long-stay permission, report your address every 90 days via online, mail, or in person. Missed reports accumulate fines and complicate future extensions.
Apply TM7 before permission expires
Use TM7 at immigration for tourist extensions, marriage or retirement one-year extensions, and employment extensions with work permit. Apply before expiry. Overstaying then filing TM7 triggers fines.
Obtain TM8 before temporary departure
If you hold a single-entry long-stay visa or one-year extension and plan to leave Thailand temporarily, apply for TM8 re-entry permit before departure. Without it, your extension dies when you exit.
TM47, 90-day reporting
Long-stay holders must report their address every 90 days while physically in Thailand. Methods include online (where eligible), mail, and in-person at immigration or authorised service. Missed reports accumulate fines and complicate future extensions.
Step-by-step filing: 90-day reporting guide. TVC also supports reporting via 90day.in.th.
TM86 and TM87, in-country changes
TM86 applies when converting from one visa category to another inside Thailand; for example tourist to Non-Immigrant ED at an approved school. Requirements typically include 15+ days remaining on current stay, approved supporting institution, and fee (~2,000 THB. Verify locally).
TM87 covers selected in-country visa applications at immigration. Usage depends on current policy and nationality, not a universal substitute for embassy applications. Confirm with immigration or TVC before relying on TM87 for your category.
Common mistakes
- Completing TDAC but assuming it replaces a visa.
- No TM30 copy when extending; instant rejection at many desks.
- Overstaying then trying to file TM7; fines and possible blacklist.
- Leaving Thailand without TM8 on single-entry marriage or retirement extension.
- Using outdated TM6 advice after TDAC became mandatory.
Frequently asked questions
Q:Can my agent file TM30 for me?
A:The landlord must file TM30. Thai Visa Centre assists landlords and clients in obtaining receipts and resolving TM30 gaps before extension appointments.
Q:Is TM47 the same as visa extension?
A:No. TM47 reports your address every 90 days while in Thailand. TM7 extends visa validity or permitted stay. Both are required for most long-stay holders.
Q:Where do I download TM forms?
A:Many TM forms are available at immigration offices or immigration.go.th. TDAC and e-Visa applications are online-only at tdac.immigration.go.th and thaievisa.go.th.
Q:Do I still need TM6 after TDAC?
A:Most checkpoints now use TDAC instead of paper TM6. Keep any remaining TM6 receipts from transition periods. TDAC reference numbers now serve the same role for extensions.
Q:What happens if I lose my arrival evidence?
A:Visit local immigration for guidance before extending a visa. Without TDAC reference or entry stamp evidence, extension desks may delay or reject your TM7 application.
Q:When do I need TM8 re-entry permit?
A:Before leaving Thailand if you hold a single-entry long-stay visa or one-year extension. Multiple-entry visas and Elite membership generally do not require TM8.
Q:Can TM86 convert any visa inside Thailand?
A:No. TM86 applies to selected in-country conversions only; typically tourist to Non-Immigrant ED at an approved school. Many pathways require applying abroad via e-Visa instead.
Q:Does Elite membership change TM47 requirements?
A:Elite members in Bangkok often use EPL drop-off instead of personal queuing for 90-day reporting, but the underlying TM47 obligation remains for long stays in Thailand.