If you’re a long-term expat like me, there will most likely come a time when you need to apply for a Thai Residence Certificate.
These certificates help you when opening bank accounts or buying cars or even applying for certain visas. That said, Residence Certificates are often confused with Thai Permanent Residence. But I’m going to clear all that up.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know which documents you need to apply for a Thai Residence Certificate, where to go, and how long it’ll take.
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Contents
- Key Takeaways
- What is a Thai Residence Certificate?
- Thai Residence Certificate Vs. Thai Permanent Residence
- Why Do You Need a Thai Residence Certificate?
- Application, Forms, and Documents
- Application Process for a Thai Residence Certificate
- Where to Get a Residence Certificate
- How Much Does a Thai Residence Certificate Cost?
- Final Thoughts on Thai Residence Certificates
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Key Takeaways
- A Thai Residence Certificate is a letter confirming where you live in Thailand
- You need a Thai Residence Certificate to get a Thai driver’s license, buy a car, open a bank account, and other procedures in Thailand
- You can get a Thai Residence Certificate at any Thai immigration office for free
- Thai Residence Certificates take one to two weeks to process and are good for 30 days
- Thai Residence Certificates aren’t the same as Thai Permanent Residence
What is a Thai Residence Certificate?
A Residence Certificate is an official letter from Thailand immigration stating that you actually reside at the address in which you claim to live.
Thai Residence Certificate Vs. Thai Permanent Residence
A Thai Residence Certificate isn’t to be confused with Thai Permanent Residence. The first one is a letter you get to prove you live where you say you do.
But Thai Permanent Residence lets you stay in Thailand without having to apply for a visa every year.
Read more: Thailand Permanent Residence: Cost, Requirements, and Procedure
Why Do You Need a Thai Residence Certificate?
You’ll need a Residence Certificate for many cases in Thailand. Over the years I’ve had to get them for many reasons, such as applying for a Thai driver’s license and buying a car. You may need to get one for a Thai work permit, Thai visa, Thai bank account, or any other number of legal matters in the country.
Even with a Thailand Privilege visa, you still need a Residence Certificate.
Read more: Thailand Privilege Card Review: Is it Worth It?
And don’t forget, you need to apply for a new Residence Certificate each time someone asks for one, as they’re only good for 30 days.
Application, Forms, and Documents
Before you apply for your Residence Certificate in Thailand, you’ll need to make sure you have each of these documents on hand:
- your passport
- copy of your passport’s photo page
- copy of your visa (if applicable)
- copy of your TM.30 Receipt of Address Notification
- copy of your lease or house book with your name and address
- two passport-size photos
- most recent TM.47 receipt (from 90-day check in)
You should sign all copies in blue ink across the image, not on a blank part of the document. If you sign a blank part of the document someone could cut away your signature and use the rest of the document elsewhere.
If you rent and don’t have a copy of the house book, you can ask for a signed copy from your landlord along with a signed copy of his or her ID card. You may also need to present a copy of your lease with your name on it.
Note that each immigration office may ask for different types of documents than those listed above. In my case, immigration officers never asked me for a copy of the house book or lease. In other cases, they did.
Application Process for a Thai Residence Certificate
As for the application process, it really is one of the easiest things to do as an expat in Thailand.
Just hand over all the documents listed above. The immigration officer working at the information counter will make sure you have everything.
And if you do, you can come back in a week and pick up your Thai Residence Certificate.
Once you get the certificate, it’s good for 30 days.
Where to Get a Residence Certificate
Keep in mind that you can only get your Thai Residence Certificate at the immigration office in which you filed your TM.30.
Below I list the address for some of the more popular immigration offices around the country. If yours isn’t listed, search for “Thai immigration office” on Google Maps to find the address of your local immigration office.
One-Stop Service Center
If you work in Thailand — whether for a BOI-promoted company or not — you may have to go to the One-Stop Service Center in Bangkok to apply for a Thai Residence Certificate. This is especially true for anyone who applied for a Thai work permit at the One-Stop Service Center.
- 319 Phaya Thai Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
Read more: How to Set Up a 100% Foreign-Owned BOI Company in Thailand
Bangkok
If you’re a resident of Bangkok, you’ll need to get your Residence Certificate at the Division 1 Immigration Office on Chaengwathtana Road. On the first floor of the immigration office, you’ll find a photocopy and visa photo center if you need them.
- 120 Thanon Chaeng Watthana, Khwaeng Thung Song Hong, Khet Lak Si, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10210
If you apply for a Residence Certificate at Division 1, keep in mind you can’t get the certificate the same day. They’ll give you a slip with a number on it and mail you the certificate within two weeks. And if you don’t receive the certificate within two weeks, you can go back and pick it up with the number on the slip that they give you.
Also, Division 1 only issues Resident Certificates to visa holders who have to report to immigration every 90 days. If you have a 30-day visa exempt stamp or a 60-day tourist visa, you must go to your embassy to get the Resident Certificate.
Samut Prakan
Since I live in Samut Prakan, I apply for my Residence Certificates there. Here’s a Google Map’s link to the location. And here’s the address:
- Sutthi Phirom Alley, Amphoe Mueang Samut Prakan, Samut Prakan 10270
You can take the BTS and get off at Pak Nam Station and then walk about five minutes to the immigration office. There is a parking lot if you plan on driving, but it gets crowded.
Chiang Mai
If you want to get your residence certificate in Chiang Mai, you’ll have to go to the Chiang Mai Immigration Office, located next to Chiang Mai International airport.
- 71 Moo 3, Sanambin Road Suthep, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai 50200
Chonburi
If you live in Chonburi, you have to go to the immigration office in Jomtien. Once there, you’ll find the help desk just to the left when you walk in.
- 75/265 12 Jomtien Road 5 Tambon Nongprue, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20150
If you want to apply for your Residence Certificate in Thailand, but you’re in another province, contact the immigration office in your province or closest to your province.
How Much Does a Thai Residence Certificate Cost?
Applying for a Thai Residence Certificate is free of charge.
That said, some immigration offices will try to charge unsuspecting expats for the service. If any immigration officer wants to charge you, tell them you’ve done this before and it’s a free service. If they insist, ask for a receipt.
That said, most Thai immigration officers in popular expat areas won’t attempt to charge you.
Final Thoughts on Thai Residence Certificates
As you can tell from the guide above, applying for a Thai Residence Certificate is simple if you have all the documents. Just be sure to plan in advance because it takes one to two weeks to process the certificate. And it’s only good for 30 days.
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