An alien certificate is like an alien identity card issued by the Registrar under the Alien Registration Act B.E.  2493 (1950), which stipulates that foreigners aged 12 years or older residing in the Kingdom must have an alien certificate and must keep it with them in such a way that it can always be shown to administrative or police officials upon their request.  

       The issuance of certificates for aliens residing in Thailand is important. Foreigners who will be able to apply for an alien certificate must be allowed to have a residence in the Kingdom first and must apply for an alien certificate at the police station in the area of their residence within 7 days from the date of receiving the residence certificate.

Application for an alien certificate requires the following documents for consideration:

• Residence Certificate (TM.16);

• Passport or document used in lieu of a passport (photocopy of page with photo and personal information, page with the last two re-entry endorsements, last two travel history, page with notes (if any));

• Residence permit document (copy of pages 1-5, copy of  last two re-entry endorsements, copy of last two travel history stamps);

• Four half-body photos with straight face without hat, size 4x6 cm, taken within 30 days;

• House registration of the host with 1 copy (photocopy of the page with the address and the applicant’s name);

• Work permit (if any) (copy of pages 2-7, copy of last renewal page, copy of position change page, copy of job description or place of work);

• TM.1 or TM.3, as the case may be.

       The officer will check whether the evidence, especially the name, surname, date of birth, date of arrival, and the referenced document number, is correct and complete or not, and verify the identification and validity of the documents. Then, the foreigner shall be fingerprinted with the right thumb in the application (TM.1), the alien certificate, and a copy (TM.9).

Fees for issuing a new identity certificate (the first application):

• 1-year certificate: 400 baht;

• 5-year certificate: First year fee of 400 baht and 88 baht for 4 years, or 1,200 baht/5 years.

Identity certificate renewal:

• 1-year certificate: 200 baht;
• 5-year certificate: 800 baht.