การต่ออายุ work permit ต้องเตรียมตัวและดำเนินการอย่างไร ?

How should you prepare for and proceed with a work permit renewal?

09/12/2025

A compilation of questions and answers related to the Work Permit.

What is a Work Permit? A document that legally allows foreigners to work in Thailand, issued by the Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour. Officers consider issuing a work permit based on job necessity or as requested, for permitted working periods in Thailand of 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and up to 2 years per application. It must be used together with a valid visa, such as a Non-B visa. This document clearly specifies the foreigner’s job position, workplace, and employer. Working outside the scope stated in the permit is prohibited. If there is a change of employer or job duties, the information must be updated immediately. Working without a Work Permit carries penalties for both the foreign worker and the employer. Having a Work Permit ensures that employment, applications for other permits, and labor inspections are conducted lawfully. Therefore, it is an essential document that every foreigner must have when working in Thailand.

Frequently asked questions and answers

Question : : Within how many days must a Work Permit renewal be processed?

Answer : The application for renewal of the Work Permit should be submitted at least 30 days before its expiration.

Question : : Where can the documents for Work Permit renewal be submitted?

Answer : Work Permit renewal can be processed at the provincial employment office where you reside, or at the Department of Employment for Bangkok and the metropolitan area.

Question : : How many days does it take to review and process a Work Permit renewal application?

Answer : The Department of Employment typically takes approximately 3–7 days to process a Work Permit renewal application, depending on the number of applications and the completeness and accuracy of the submitted documents.

Question : : If a Work Permit has expired and no renewal application has been submitted, but the person continues to work, is this a legal offense?

Answer : This constitutes a legal offense, punishable by imprisonment for up to 3 months, or a fine of up to 5,000 baht, or both.

Question : : If the employer changes the company name, company address, or shareholders, is it necessary to renew or amend the Work Permit?

Answer : The information in the Work Permit must be amended immediately, as the employer details and workplace must accurately reflect the actual situation. Failure to update the information is considered a legal violation.

Question : : If there is a change in job position or employer, is it necessary to renew or amend the Work Permit?

Answer : It must be amended immediately, as the Work Permit clearly specifies the job position and workplace. Working outside the permitted scope is considered illegal.

Question : : What happens if you forget to renew your Work Permit?

Answer : Foreign workers will immediately be considered to be working illegally, as they are deemed to be working without a Work Permit and therefore are no longer authorized to work. Penalties apply to both the foreign worker and the employer (company). In addition, there is a risk of inspection by the Ministry of Labour.

The problem of forgetting to renew a Work Permit will be eliminated when you use our Visa & Work Permit services.

FDI is a Visa & Work Permit expert providing consultation and comprehensive support at every step.
Our team has extensive experience in processing visas, employment registrations, and work permits for foreign nationals.
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