Thailand makes online work permits mandatory for foreign workers

The Ministry of Labour launched the platform in October to digitise the entire work permit process for foreign nationals. The initiative is part of Thailand’s broader campaign to modernise its public services, cut red tape, and fast-track approvals. 

Under the new system, Thai employers and foreign workers must register on the e-Work Permit portal and verify their identities via the ThaiID app. Users can complete key processes online, including uploading documents, renewing permits, and viewing compliance updates. Applications can also be tracked in real time through digital notification, replacing traditional mail and phone updates. 

The e-Work Permit system becomes mandatory starting October 13, although the government is expected to continue accepting manual submissions during the initial rollout as users and officials adjust to the new digital process.

Several details about the system remain unclear, including specific changes to the foreign worker registration and documentation requirements. However, the government is expected to release more information in the coming days.

The announcement aligns with the government’s goal to position the country as a regional hub for foreign talent and investment. In February, the cabinet approved a package of reforms to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for foreigners to obtain legal employment in the country. 

Thailand relies heavily on migrant labor, with more than 2.3 million registered foreign workers in key sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and tourism, as of 2024.

In August, the cabinet approved the recruitment of at least 10,000 Sri Lankan workers to replace hundreds of thousands of Cambodians who fled the country after a border dispute. Additionally, Myanmar refugees living in border camps were also granted permission to work inside Thailand from October through 2026.