Thailand Launches New ‘e-Work Permit’ System for Foreign Workers

Starting October 13, 2025, Thailand officially moved its foreign worker registration and work permit process online with the launch of the new ‘e-Work Permit’ system.

Both foreign employees and their employers are now required to use this platform for submitting work permit applications and registering foreign workers, a key step in obtaining legal work authorisation.

A Shift Toward a Digital Work Visa System

The new e-Work Permit platform is part of Thailand’s broader push to modernise its immigration and labour administration. The goal is simple:

• Less paperwork
• Faster approvals
• Better transparency

Employers can now file applications digitally, track their status in real time, and access approvals once granted.

Until now, much of Thailand’s work permit process has relied on in-person visits and manual document submissions at the Department of Employment. The new system aims to replace those steps with a streamlined online workflow, reducing administrative strain for both sides.

Early Transition Challenges

Although the platform is now mandatory, authorities may still accept manual filings in limited cases during the transition period, but they haven’t formally confirmed it.

For now, work permit applicants should prepare for some uncertainty and potential delays during the initial rollout as government offices adapt to the new system.

Authorities advise employers and company representatives to register early on the e-Work Permit portal and verify their identity through the ThaiID mobile app before submitting any online application.

Unanswered Questions

Some operational details are still unclear. The government hasn’t specified how the e-Work Permit system might change the step-by-step process of foreign worker registration or how processing times will compare to the old system.

It’s still unclear whether authorities will issue approvals in digital or printed form. They plan to release detailed guidance in the coming weeks after testing the system in real-world conditions.

Impact on Employers and Foreign Workers

For companies employing foreign nationals, the shift to a digital platform could significantly reduce administrative delays and increase efficiency once the system stabilises. Real-time tracking will help HR departments plan work start dates more accurately and avoid repeated trips to labour offices.

For foreign employees, it may simplify what has long been seen as one of the more cumbersome parts of relocating to Thailand. If the system functions as intended, applicants could benefit from faster processing, fewer document errors, and greater transparency about their application status.

However, with any new system rollout, technical issues and slow processing times are possible, especially in the first few months. Employers and workers are being encouraged to stay patient and double-check that their online submissions meet the new requirements.

BOI Companies Must Re-Register for Access

In addition to this, starting August 1, 2025, all BOI-promoted companies in Thailand must create a new user account to continue using the Single Window system for submitting work permit and visa applications.

As part of the update, Thai representatives must verify their identity through the ThaiID mobile app, while foreign representatives will complete verification via email.

Companies must complete this re-registration to maintain uninterrupted system access and align with Thailand’s broader effort to digitalise its work permit processes.

Final Thoughts

Thailand’s e-Work Permit launch marks a major step toward digitising immigration and labour systems, but the transition won’t be seamless overnight. Early users can expect some trial and error as authorities iron out the process.

Still, once the platform is fully operational, it could reshape how foreign professionals live and work in Thailand, making the process faster, clearer, and less paper-heavy than ever before.