Thailand to launch digital platform for foreign work permits

Thailand is launching a new digital platform called “e-Work Permit” to simplify and accelerate the work permit process for foreign investors and workers. The system will go live nationwide on September 1, 2025.

This online platform will be available 24/7 from anywhere worldwide at https://ewp.doe.go.th. It lets users submit applications, upload documents, pay fees and schedule appointments fully online. The initiative represents the country’s first step toward outsourcing parts of the permit process, like document verification, to private contractors under the supervision of the Department of Employment (DoE).

“The more investors come to Thailand, the more people will get jobs,” said Department Director Somchai Morrakotsriwan. This is the government’s strategic goal.”

Once approved, applicants can visit one of over 40 Foreign Work Permit Service Centers, including locations in Bangkok, Pattaya, and other provinces, or a mobile unit. There, biometric data such as fingerprints and iris scans are collected, and a work permit card is issued on the spot. According to the Ministry of Labour, the entire visit typically takes around 12 minutes.

Previously, foreigners were required to enter Thailand before applying and often faced lengthy, paper-based procedures. Under the new system, applicants can secure approval before arrival, offering greater certainty and flexibility for businesses hiring from abroad.

While the move has been widely welcomed by expats and employers, some are calling for additional reforms, such as replacing the current work permit booklet with a plastic ID-style card and expanding digital permits to non-BOI-registered companies. Others have proposed eliminating the 90-day reporting requirement to further reduce the administrative burden.

The e-Work Permit system is part of Thailand’s broader 20-year national strategy to modernize public services through digital transformation and public-private collaboration.