Thailand’s Ministry of Labour has formally launched the “e-Work Permit” platform, mandating that from October 13 2025 all foreign worker registrations and work-permit applications must be submitted online via the new system.

The digital framework is part of the government’s drive to streamline labour-administration, reduce paperwork and modernise oversight of foreign employment.

Under the new regime, both employers and foreign employees must register via the portal, verify identities through the ThaiID mobile app, upload required documentation and track application status in real time.

The Department of Employment has established 54 service centres nationwide to support biometric verification and card issuance.

While full implementation is imminent, authorities have recognised transition challenges and introduced a temporary manual-filing option.

Until January 28 2026 employers experiencing system errors may submit work-permit applications or renewals in paper form — provided they include a screenshot of the error message and file at the relevant provincial employment office.

Earlier interim measures on October 17 expanded paper-filing for renewals of skilled foreign-worker permits and all cancellation applications until further notice.

The digital system replaces the legacy “blue book” work-permit model and promises faster processing, enhanced tracking and higher data security.

Employers and foreign-hired professionals are being advised to register early, verify credentials and prepare for possible delays during the initial rollout.

By centralising labour data, Thailand aims to improve transparency, enforce compliance with employment standards and promote the country as a business-friendly destination for foreign talent.

The move aligns with the government’s broader “Thailand 4.0” digital-transformation agenda and underscores its ambition to modernise administrative systems and internationalise its workforce framework.