Certificate of Residence
For ED Visa students living in Bangkok
Certificate of Residence: your proof of address in Thailand
Good news: as an ED Visa student, you can apply for a Certificate of Residence. You will usually need one to get a Thai driving licence, register a motorbike, or open a bank account. Here is when to apply, what to bring, and how to avoid a wasted trip.
Please note: this is a general guide for our students. The certificate is issued only by the Immigration Office, and requirements, fees and processing times can change or vary between officers. Please check with Immigration before you go.
Fee
About 200 THB
Cash, paid when you apply
Ready in
About 1 week
Allow up to 15 working days
Valid for
30 days
From the date of issue
Where (Bangkok)
Chaeng Watthana
Immigration, Government Complex
Section 1 of 6
What it is and when you need it
A Certificate of Residence is a short letter from Immigration that confirms where you live in Thailand. Thai offices and banks use it as official proof of your address.
Students most often need it to:
- Apply for a Thai driving licence (car or motorbike)
- Buy, register or transfer a car or motorbike in your name
- Open an account at a Thai bank
- Sign some longer-term rental contracts, if the landlord asks for it
Timing tip: the certificate is only valid for 30 days, so apply about one to two weeks before your bank visit or driving licence appointment, not months ahead.
Section 2 of 6
ED Visa students: when you can apply
The ED Visa is a non-immigrant visa, so you can apply at Bangkok Immigration. Before you go, check these three things:
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1You already hold your ED Visa or extensionYou need your ED Visa stamp (or your latest extension) in your passport. If you are still changing from a tourist or visa-exempt entry, wait until you have received your ED Visa stamp.
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2You have completed your first 90-day reportBangkok Immigration usually asks to see at least one 90-day report receipt. A visa extension is not the same as a 90-day report, so if you have only done extensions so far, wait until after your first report. How 90-day reporting works
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3Your TM30 shows your current addressYour landlord, condo office or hotel files the TM30. If you have moved, or returned from a trip abroad, ask them to file a new one first, and make sure it was filed with the property's title deed attached. About TM30
Immigration does not normally ask for a school letter for this certificate. If an officer asks for proof that you are studying, contact our admin team and we will help.
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What to bring
Documents
- Your passport (the original)
- Copies of your passport photo page, ED Visa or latest extension stamp, and latest entry stamp
- Your TDAC (digital arrival card) confirmation
- TM30 receipt for your current address
- Your latest 90-day report receipt
- Rental contract or other proof of address
- Application form (one page, available at Immigration)
Also bring
- 2 passport photos, 4 × 6 cm, white background (a photo shop is right across from the school)
- About 200 THB in cash
- A blue pen: sign every page and copy in blue ink
- A little patience: the interview itself is quick, around 10 minutes
Copies should be clear and easy to read. Make sure the address is exactly the same on your TM30, your rental contract and your form.
Section 4 of 6
Step by step at Chaeng Watthana
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1Go early and find the right counterThe Certificate of Residence counter is one level above the visa extension area where you do your ED Visa extensions. Office hours are usually Monday to Friday, 8:30–12:00 and 13:00–16:30.
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2Document check and queueStaff check your documents first and then give you a queue number. Fill in the one-page form and sign in blue ink.
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3Submit and payHand in your documents and pay the fee. Keep the receipt safe: you need it to collect your certificate.
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4Wait for processingIt is usually ready in about a week. Same-day service is not available in Bangkok.Immigration may take up to 15 working days, so plan ahead.
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5Collect your certificateReturn with your passport and receipt to pick it up. Use it within 30 days.
Driving licence tip: if you want both a car and a motorbike licence, the Department of Land Transport usually needs a separate original certificate for each one. Tell the officer both purposes when you apply.
Section 5 of 6
Common mistakes that cause a second trip
- No 90-day report yet. This is the most common reason new students are turned away.
- Missing or old TM30. No TM30, or one showing your previous address, means the application cannot go ahead.
- TM30 filed without the title deed. Immigration may hold your application until your landlord updates the filing, even if it was accepted before.
- Black ink. Signatures in black pen are usually rejected.
- Addresses that don't match. Even a small difference between documents can cause problems.
Section 6 of 6
Questions students ask
I just arrived on my ED Visa. Can I apply now?
Usually not yet in Bangkok. Wait until you have completed your first 90-day report, then apply. Until then, Immigration will most likely turn you away.
Is the certificate enough to open a bank account?
Not always. Many Thai banks now ask for more documents from foreigners, and rules differ between banks and even branches. Call the branch first and ask exactly what they need.
Can an embassy letter replace the certificate?
Some embassies issue a proof-of-address letter, but some (such as the US and Australia) no longer do. Some driving licence offices also accept only the certificate from Immigration, so check before you pay for an embassy letter.
I just moved. What should I do?
Ask your new landlord or condo office to file a new TM30 for your new address first. Then apply for the certificate with the new TM30 receipt.
I'm on a tourist visa. Can I still get one?
Not usually in Bangkok. If you plan to stay and study long-term, an ED Visa may be the right path. See our Student Visa Info page.
Questions about your documents?
Our friendly admin team is happy to help our students prepare before they visit Immigration.