Two Things Every Long-Stayer Must Know
On a long-stay visa (ED, retirement, LTR) two rules apply: the 90-day report and, for short visas, visa runs. Here's how to avoid fines.
The 90-Day Report (TM47)
Every 90 days you must tell Immigration your address. It's not a visa extension — just a "I'm still here, living at this address" notification.
- How: online on the Immigration site or app, in person, or by post.
- Window: up to 15 days before and 7 days after the due date.
- TM30: your landlord/hotel separately reports your stay — without a current TM30 your 90-day report may be refused.
- Fine for a late report is around 2,000 ฿.
Visa Run / Border Run
A border run means leaving Thailand and re-entering to get a fresh stay stamp — relevant for short visas or visa-free entries.
- Why: reset or extend your permitted stay.
- Where: neighbouring countries — Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia; land borders and short flights are popular.
- How often: depends on the visa; land border-crossings on visa-free entries are capped per year.
- 2026 note: Immigration watches "endless" border runs — frequent entries without a long-stay visa can raise questions.
Overstay Fines
Overstaying costs 500 ฿/day, up to 20,000 ฿. A serious overstay means deportation and a re-entry ban (1 year or more). Don't risk it — extend your visa or do a border run in time.
Bottom Line
Living in Thailand long-term is easy if you track two timers: the 90-day report and your visa/stamp expiry. Set reminders and the bureaucracy becomes a formality.
Heading to Thailand? Don't forget the TDAC arrival card and check which visa suits you.
