PATTAYA, Thailand – Announced by Labour Minister Treenuch Thienthong, following the Cabinet Resolution dated 19 August 2025, Thailand will open a 15-day grace period for undocumented migrant workers from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam who are already employed in Thailand but lack legal status, allowing them to register online and stay and work for one year.
This initiative is expected to benefit 500,000 to 700,000 migrant workers, including those whose work permits have expired or missed renewal deadlines, while also addressing labor shortages and contributing to public security and public health.
Pichet Thongpan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, outlined the registration procedure for employers:
- Employers must register and pay relevant fees for the work permit through website eworkpermit.doe.go.th from 15–29 October 2025, available 24 hours a day including public holidays. They will receive confirmation valid until 28 December 2025.
- Employers must ensure that their migrant workers have health checks, health insurance, and undergo biometric data collection at the Immigration Office. Cambodian workers must report to the Immigration Office every 60 days.
- Once all processes are completed, the Department of Employment will issue the work permit valid for one year, until 14 October 2026.
- During the 1-year grace period, migrant workers must register or update their personal records and obtain a non-Thai national identification card from the Department of Provincial Administration.
The grace period will be terminated immediately when the migrant leaves Thailand, unless they have obtained a passport or substitute document and applied for a visa with the Immigration Bureau.
Registration can be done via eworkpermit.doe.go.th. (PRD)
