BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s online 90-day reporting system for long-stay foreigners showed mixed but cautiously positive results in January 2026, according to expat forum accounts.
Legal duty to report every 90 days
Foreigners holding long-term visas in Thailand were required to confirm their address with immigration every 90 days using form TM.47, as set out in the Immigration Act. The report was an address confirmation only and did not extend a visa, and any departure and re‑entry restarted the 90‑day count. Those who failed to comply faced financial penalties.
Who had to file – and who was exempt
All holders of long-stay visas, including non-immigrant visas for retirement, marriage, employment or education as well as Thailand Elite Visa members, were subject to the rule, with the deadline calculated from the date of last entry. Tourists staying under 90 days were exempt, while expats with annual visas treated the quarterly report as a routine obligation.
Different windows for online and in-person reporting
The reporting window differed significantly depending on the method. In-person or postal reports could be filed from 15 days before until seven days after the due date, giving a total of 22 days. The online option was restricted to the period between 15 and seven days before the deadline; late online filings after that window were rejected, forcing applicants to visit immigration in person.
Forum feedback: cautiously positive in early 2026
In expat forums, users shared recent experiences with the online system, describing a generally more stable platform with fewer complete outages than in previous years. Many reported successful submissions when they followed basic rules and paid attention to timing. Technical issues still occurred sporadically, leaving some applicants facing delays or repeated error messages.
Early filing linked to faster approvals
User reports pointed to a clear link between early filing and approval success. One forum participant described submitting a report on 29 December for a deadline on 8 January and receiving approval within 24 hours. According to the accounts, early submissions reduced the risk of last‑minute technical problems as the cut-off approached.
System performance over New Year holidays
Concerns that the platform might fail around the 2025/2026 New Year period were not borne out by reported experiences. One user submitted on 30 December and received confirmation shortly after the New Year holidays, suggesting that the technical infrastructure remained operational even during Thai public holidays. However, processing times could lengthen when immigration officers were not on duty.
Importance of current registration data
Several users noted better outcomes when their registration details in the system were up to date following a recent re‑entry or in-person visit to immigration. They reported that subsequent online filings then tended to proceed more smoothly. By contrast, those who had not appeared in person for an extended period seemed more likely to encounter technical obstacles.
Technical requirements and browser settings
Reports indicated that a stable internet connection was essential for a successful submission. Outdated browsers caused frequent error messages, and users were advised to disable pop-up blockers for the immigration website and clear the browser cache before logging in. Forum feedback suggested these simple steps resolved many of the most common technical problems.
Preferred browsers and devices
According to current user experiences, Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome performed most reliably, while Firefox was also used but with occasional compatibility issues. Desktop and laptop computers were preferred over smartphones, as mobile browsers were more likely to suffer from display errors and input problems. Users concluded that a computer remained the safer choice for filing.
Avoiding login errors and account locks
Forgotten passwords and locked accounts were among the most frequently mentioned difficulties. The system tolerated only a small number of incorrect login attempts before applying a temporary block. Users recommended using the password recovery function immediately in case of problems, as repeated failed attempts tended to prolong access issues.
Understanding “Pending” status
The online system showed the status “Pending” when a report had been received and was still being processed. In typical cases, this changed to “Approved” within one to three days. If the status remained unchanged for more than a week, forum users advised contacting the relevant immigration office, noting that a personal visit was often required to complete the procedure.
When an in-person visit was still needed
An appearance at immigration remained necessary when online submissions repeatedly failed or when the reporting deadline had already passed. After obtaining a new passport, the first subsequent report could also require a personal visit. Many offices now offered online appointment booking, which users said considerably reduced waiting times at the counter.
Accuracy demands in the TM.47 form
Form TM.47 required precise entries for address, arrival date and visa number. Even minor mistakes in dates could lead to automatic rejection by the system. All data had to match exactly the last entry stamp or most recent visa extension, as the platform cross‑checked the information against stored records.
Keeping track of deadlines and reminders
Forum contributors recommended setting reminders at least 15 days before the due date, coinciding with the start of the online filing window. Calendar and smartphone apps were seen as effective tools for this task. By contrast, email reminders from the authorities were described as unreliable, often ending up in spam folders or not arriving at all.
Penalty fees for late or missing reports
Those who reported late on their own initiative faced a fine of 2,000 baht, which corresponded to about 54 euros at the stated exchange rate. If the missing report was discovered during a check, the penalty rose to 5,000 baht, roughly 136 euros, and an additional note was made in the authorities’ records. Forum posts highlighted these consequences as a key reason to meet the deadline.
Preparing for a personal visit
Users stressed that suitable clothing and polite behaviour were important when appearing at an immigration office, advising against beachwear or flip-flops. Copies of all relevant passport pages and a completed TM.47 form were required. According to the reports, complete documentation helped officials process cases more quickly.
Interaction between TM.30 and the 90-day report
The TM.30 notification was described as a separate address report that had to be filed by the landlord or property owner. If this record was not up to date in the system, the 90-day report could be blocked. Forum users therefore recommended checking the TM.30 status before filing and updating it first if necessary.
Gradual digitalisation with ongoing issues
The Thai immigration authorities were reported to be working step by step on improving their digital procedures. Despite progress, complete error-free operation had not been achieved by 2026. Forum accounts suggested that further improvements were likely in the current year, but also underlined that technical problems and bureaucratic hurdles still required patience and early planning.
Editorial note on data and exchange rates
The information cited in the reports referred to the situation as of January 2026. An indicated exchange rate of 1 euro to approximately 36.7 baht was treated as a snapshot and subject to change. Users were repeatedly urged to verify the latest official guidance from the Royal Thai Immigration before making any visit or submission.