Thai Law Firms Advise On Fulfilling Thailand 90 Day Report Requirement
Expatriates working in Thailand need to comply with what is known as the 90 Day Report - in which they have to report to the Immigration Department every 90 days. While the reason for this exercise is widely questioned as unnecessary and time consuming, at least one law firm in Thailand advises expats to make the trip to the particular immigration office at which their visa was issued.
The 90 Day Report requirement states any foreigner staying in Thailand for longer than 90 days must notify immigration of this, and must do so for each period of 90 days.
Tales are often heard in the expatriate community of expats visiting an immigration office other than that at which their visa was issued - assuming that in this day and age of computers, internet and online communication - such a requirement as the 90 Day Report could be fulfilled at any of the immigration office locations.
Many expats say, when doing so, they have been told by immigration staff they must report to the actual office where the visa was issued. And so while the 90 Day Report is already seen by many as unnecessary and time consuming, Thai law firms advise expats to make the trip to their respective immigration office in the first case.
For example, those with a visa issued at the government complex on Chaengwattana Road on the outskirts of Bangkok should make the trip there, rather than turning up, for example, at the One Stop Center for Visa and Work Permits at Chamchuri Square Buliding in the city.
Then again, there are other ways for expats to meet the 90 Day Report requirement without physically having to report to immigration themselves in person.
The expat can send a person authorized to report for him/her, to any of the following locations:
- Counter 3, Immigration Bureau Office, Soi Suanphlu, Bangkok
- Visa extension units, Ratchada Centre (BOI)
- Immigration offices throughout the country
The notification to immigration can also be done via registered mail. In this case, the foreigner needs to send the required documents so they arrive seven days before the 90 day report period expires. The documents are:
1. Copy of all passport pages (up to the latest arrival stamp in Thailand or latest visa stamp)
2. Copy of arrival/departure card TM.6 (front and back)
3. Previous notifications of staying over 90 days (if any)
4. The notification form TM.47 completely filled in and signed
5. An envelope with 5 Baht stamp affixed and the return address of the foreigner, for the officer in charge to send back the lower part of form TM. 47 after having received the notification. This part must be kept for reference and for future notifications of staying over 90 days.
These documents must be sent by registered mail and the receipt kept by the foreigner.
Usually there is a grace period given of several days beyond the expiration of the 90 day report period.
For those who do not report as required, there is a fine of THB 2,000 which rises if the foreigner is arrested.
If the foreigner leaves Thailand during the 90 day period, then the count of the 90 days starts from the date of re-entry into the kingdom.
On the issue of re-entering Thailand, it is important for foreigners with a work permit to remember they must have a re-entry permit for when they come back to Thailand.
Another important note: when a foreigner is renewing his/her yearly visa and work permit, this does not constitute meeting the 90 day report requirement. This must be done separately.
International law firms in Thailand welcome enquiries from foreigners and expatriates regarding the various in-and-outs of the immigration service in Thailand, Thai labour law and other relevant issues.
The 90 Day Report requirement states any foreigner staying in Thailand for longer than 90 days must notify immigration of this, and must do so for each period of 90 days.
Tales are often heard in the expatriate community of expats visiting an immigration office other than that at which their visa was issued - assuming that in this day and age of computers, internet and online communication - such a requirement as the 90 Day Report could be fulfilled at any of the immigration office locations.
Many expats say, when doing so, they have been told by immigration staff they must report to the actual office where the visa was issued. And so while the 90 Day Report is already seen by many as unnecessary and time consuming, Thai law firms advise expats to make the trip to their respective immigration office in the first case.
For example, those with a visa issued at the government complex on Chaengwattana Road on the outskirts of Bangkok should make the trip there, rather than turning up, for example, at the One Stop Center for Visa and Work Permits at Chamchuri Square Buliding in the city.
Then again, there are other ways for expats to meet the 90 Day Report requirement without physically having to report to immigration themselves in person.
The expat can send a person authorized to report for him/her, to any of the following locations:
- Counter 3, Immigration Bureau Office, Soi Suanphlu, Bangkok
- Visa extension units, Ratchada Centre (BOI)
- Immigration offices throughout the country
The notification to immigration can also be done via registered mail. In this case, the foreigner needs to send the required documents so they arrive seven days before the 90 day report period expires. The documents are:
1. Copy of all passport pages (up to the latest arrival stamp in Thailand or latest visa stamp)
2. Copy of arrival/departure card TM.6 (front and back)
3. Previous notifications of staying over 90 days (if any)
4. The notification form TM.47 completely filled in and signed
5. An envelope with 5 Baht stamp affixed and the return address of the foreigner, for the officer in charge to send back the lower part of form TM. 47 after having received the notification. This part must be kept for reference and for future notifications of staying over 90 days.
These documents must be sent by registered mail and the receipt kept by the foreigner.
Usually there is a grace period given of several days beyond the expiration of the 90 day report period.
For those who do not report as required, there is a fine of THB 2,000 which rises if the foreigner is arrested.
If the foreigner leaves Thailand during the 90 day period, then the count of the 90 days starts from the date of re-entry into the kingdom.
On the issue of re-entering Thailand, it is important for foreigners with a work permit to remember they must have a re-entry permit for when they come back to Thailand.
Another important note: when a foreigner is renewing his/her yearly visa and work permit, this does not constitute meeting the 90 day report requirement. This must be done separately.
International law firms in Thailand welcome enquiries from foreigners and expatriates regarding the various in-and-outs of the immigration service in Thailand, Thai labour law and other relevant issues.