Work permit renewal deadline set for Lao, Myanmar and Vietnamese workers

The Department of Employment has urged employers to apply for work permit extensions for eligible workers from Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam by December 11, 2026.

Department director-general Somchai Morakotsriwan said the Cabinet approved the extension on July 14, 2026, for workers from the three countries whose current permission to work expires on December 11, 2026, under a previous Cabinet resolution dated November 11, 2025.

Eligible workers will be allowed to remain and work legally in Thailand for another year, until December 11, 2027.

Migrant workers, their employers or authorised recruitment companies must submit applications and supporting documents electronically and complete the required fee payments to ensure that employment can continue without interruption.

Somchai said the measure covers migrant workers whose work permits and visas remain valid until December 11, 2026.

It also applies to workers who have already received permission to work but were unable to obtain a passport or passport substitute by July 31, 2026, as well as those whose passports expired before December 11, 2026, causing their permission to remain in Thailand to lapse.

The department set out four main requirements for the renewal process.

First, migrant workers must undergo examinations for prohibited diseases at a state hospital or a licensed private healthcare facility whose health-check system is connected to the Department of Employment in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

Workers who are not covered by the Social Security Fund, or who are awaiting the activation of their social security rights, must also obtain health insurance from the Ministry of Public Health or an approved non-life insurance company for the required coverage period.

Second, applications must be submitted electronically with all required documents by December 11, 2026.

The application fee is 100 baht per person, while the work permit fee is 900 baht.

On the final day, applications may be submitted until 4.30pm and fee payments completed until 8pm.

Workers may temporarily use their application receipt together with the payment receipt as evidence that they are permitted to work. Those employed on fishing vessels may use the documents when applying for a seafarer’s identification document.

Third, once an application is approved by the registrar, the worker will be allowed to continue working in Thailand for one year, until December 11, 2027.

During the processing period, a temporary work permit may be used as evidence of legal employment until the formal permit is issued.

Fourth, workers must obtain a passport or passport substitute and complete the visa process by June 30, 2027.

Where a passport is issued after August 1, 2026, the visa process must be completed within 90 days of the passport’s issuance, but no later than June 30, 2027.

Workers must also create or update their official personal records as required.

The department urged employers, businesses and migrant workers to prepare all supporting documents in advance and complete each stage within the specified deadlines.

The date on which the electronic application system will open will be announced later.

Further information is available from Bangkok Employment Offices Areas 1–10, provincial employment offices nationwide, or the Department of Employment hotline on 1506, press 2.