90-Day Reporting

90-day reporting is a legal obligation under Thai immigration law requiring certain foreign nationals staying in Thailand for extended periods to notify the Immigration Bureau of their current residential address every 90 days. This procedure serves as a mechanism for Thai authorities to maintain up-to-date records of long-term foreign residents and to monitor compliance with immigration regulations.

The rule applies regardless of visa type, as long as the foreigner holds a valid visa or stay permit that exceeds 90 days and is not exempted. Despite its administrative nature, non-compliance may result in fines, complications during future immigration applications, or even visa revocation.

This article offers a comprehensive legal and procedural analysis of 90-day reporting in Thailand, detailing its statutory basis, scope of application, methods of compliance, enforcement mechanisms, and exceptions.

1. Legal Basis and Rationale

1.1 Statutory Authority

The 90-day reporting requirement is based on:

• Section 37(5) of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979):

  “A foreigner having received temporary permission to stay in the Kingdom must notify the Immigration Office of his or her place of residence every 90 days.”

1.2 Purpose

• Maintain updated data on the location and status of foreign nationals

• Support national security and migration monitoring

• Identify overstays and track long-term stayers

2. Who Must Report?

2.1 Applicable to:

• Foreign nationals with non-immigrant visas, such as:

  • Non-Immigrant “B” (Business/Work)

  • O (Marriage/Retirement)

  • ED (Education)

  • PE (Privilege Entry/Elite Visa) — often handled by program administrators

  • LTR (Long-Term Resident Visa)

  • SMART Visa

• Those on extensions of stay beyond 90 days

• Permanent Residents (PR)

2.2 Not Applicable to:

• Tourists or visa-exempt visitors staying less than 90 days

• Foreigners who exit and re-enter Thailand before reaching the 90-day threshold (which resets the 90-day clock)

Each time a foreigner leaves and re-enters Thailand, the 90-day period starts over upon re-entry.

3. Methods of Reporting

Foreigners may report using one of the following methods:

3.1 In-Person at Immigration Office

• Most common and reliable method

• Applicant submits:

  • TM.47 form

  • Copy of passport bio page

  • Copy of visa and entry stamp

  • Copy of arrival card (TM.6) (if applicable)

  • Copy of latest visa extension page

• Officers may stamp a “next reporting date” in the passport

3.2 By Authorized Representative

• A third party can submit on behalf of the foreigner

• Must present:

  • Power of attorney

  • Required documents (as above)

3.3 By Registered Mail

• Must be sent at least 7 days before the due date

• Include:

  • TM.47 form

  • Copies of passport and visa pages

  • Return envelope with postage for acknowledgment receipt

• Not all immigration offices reliably process postal reports

3.4 Online Reporting (e-90 Days)

• Accessible at: https://www.immigration.go.th

• Available only to those:

  • Who previously reported in person at least once

  • Who use compatible browsers (IE or Chrome—limitations apply)

• Approval may take up to 3 working days

• Acknowledgment letter must be printed and retained

System outages, browser incompatibility, or lack of confirmation emails are common issues. In such cases, revert to in-person reporting.

4. Timing and Deadlines

Early submissions before Day 76 are generally not accepted. If the 90th day falls on a holiday or weekend, report before the deadline.

5. Penalties for Non-Compliance

• Fine for late reporting: THB 2,000

• If discovered by authorities (e.g., at airport or during inspection): THB 4,000

• Repeat non-compliance may result in:

  • Visa extension refusal

  • Immigration blacklist (in extreme or repeated cases)

6. Exceptions and Special Cases

6.1 Departure and Re-Entry

• If a foreigner leaves Thailand before the 90-day report is due, the counter resets upon re-entry

• No need to report from outside the country

6.2 Multiple Entries and Border Runs

• Those who do border runs or hold multiple-entry visas must start the 90-day count anew each time they re-enter

6.3 Privileged Visa Holders

• For Thailand Privilege Visa members:

  • Reporting may be managed by TPC (Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd.)

  • Members are advised to confirm if reporting has been done on their behalf

6.4 Permanent Residents

• Though PRs have different stay rights, they are still required to report every 90 days

7. Recordkeeping and Acknowledgment

After reporting:

• You receive a receipt or acknowledgment slip (for in-person or mail reports)

• For online reports, a printable confirmation is available

This documentation should be kept with your passport, especially for airport travel, visa renewals, or police encounters

8. Practical Tips and Risks

• Immigration officers may refuse late or early reports

• Discrepancies in address may trigger further scrutiny, especially for foreigners employed under work permits

• Always keep a copy of the TM.47 and passport documents submitted

• If moving residence, update your address using the TM.28 form, which is separate from the TM.47

9. Comparison with Other Immigration Reporting Regimes

Conclusion

90-day reporting in Thailand is a strict administrative requirement imposed under the Immigration Act to monitor the location and legal status of foreign nationals staying for extended periods. Although simple in theory, non-compliance—whether due to misunderstanding, administrative delays, or negligence—can lead to fines, complications with visa renewals, or even immigration status issues.

Foreign residents must understand not only the deadline mechanics, but also the method-specific nuances, especially given the technological limitations of online systems and varying practices across regional immigration offices. For long-term residents, staying compliant with 90-day reporting is a non-negotiable element of lawful presence in Thailand.