Thailand’s Department of Employment has temporarily allowed manual filing of work permit renewals and cancellations for foreign workers due to technical problems with its new e-Work Permit system.
The e-Work Permit platform was officially introduced in October 2025 as part of Thailand’s plan to transition all work permit procedures for foreign employees to an online system. The platform handles applications for new permits, renewals, and cancellations, with both employers and foreign workers required to use it for all related processes.
Temporary Manual Filing Accepted Until January 28, 2026
According to TravelBiz, the DOE stated that employers and foreign workers facing difficulties using the e-Work Permit system may submit their applications manually until January 28th, 2026. The measure applies to renewal applications for skilled foreign workers and cancellation applications for all foreign workers.
Applicants must attach a screenshot of the error message encountered on the system when filing their manual applications. These applications should be submitted to the relevant provincial or area employment office, the department said in its notice.
Scope of Applications Covered
Once the e-Work Permit system becomes fully operational, all work permit-related applications—including new permits, renewals, and cancellations—will need to be processed exclusively through the online platform. This requirement will also apply to companies under the Board of Investment promotion.
Approved applicants will receive a digital Work Permit ID card, replacing the traditional paper document. The Department of Employment stated that the digital transition is part of the plan to standardize and simplify foreign employment procedures across the country.
Ensuring Continuity During Transition
The temporary manual submission option is intended to prevent disruptions to employment and compliance activities during the system’s adjustment period. It allows both employers and foreign professionals to continue meeting regulatory requirements without delays caused by technical problems in the e-Work Permit platform.
The DOE said it is working to resolve the reported issues and stabilize the platform as quickly as possible. Once the system operates smoothly, all submissions will again be required to go through the online platform.
What To Know
Thailand’s introduction of the e-Work Permit system is part of its government ambition to improve service efficiency and reduce administrative procedures. The online platform is expected to make it easier for both employers and employees to track the status of their applications, minimize paperwork, and improve data management across government departments.
When fully implemented, the e-Work Permit system is expected to provide faster processing times and enhance transparency in managing foreign worker employment records.
