The situation
The Employment Department has announced that, effective immediately, Work Permit applicants will need to submit copies of all the pages of their passport when filing a Pre-Work Permit Approval (PWPA) application.
Background
The sponsoring company files a PWPA in Thailand on behalf of its foreign employee. Once the Employment Department approves the PWPA, the foreign employee can apply for a Non-immigrant B Visa at a Thai consular post, which allows the foreign national to enter the country upon its approval.
The stricter requirement is intended to ensure that the foreign employee is outside of Thailand when the PWPA application is submitted.
Unaffected applicants
The rule will not affect companies registered with the Board of Investment since they follow a different Work Permit approval process.
Impact
Companies who fail to comply with the stricter requirement will have their application turned away, resulting in delays. Such individual delays will have a downstream effect on the whole process since the PWPA is needed before a Non-immigrant B Visa application can be filed.
Looking ahead
Sponsoring companies filing Work Permit applications at the Employment Department should ensure compliance with this new rule to avoid costly delays. They should also be aware that Thai authorities may continue to implement stricter regulations on foreign nationals as a result of leadership changes at the Immigration Bureau and frequent discoveries of immigration violations committed by foreign nationals.
Fragomen will closely monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole discusses Middle East-based UHNW clients making short-term moves driven by schooling and timing considerations.
Awards
Partners Chris Spentzaris and Sasko Markovski, Practice Leader Sarah Tan and Counsel Robert Walsh are recognized by Best Lawyers in Australia for their work in immigration law.
Awards
Fragomen is shortlisted across multiple categories in the 2026 EMMA Awards, recognizing innovation and impact in global mobility and immigration services.
Video
Learn how international graduates can stay in France for one year to find work or start a business. Discover eligibility requirements, application steps and transition options for the Job Seeker/New Business Creator permit.
Work authorization
Senior Associate Lara Hannaway outlines the current state of Portugal’s Golden Visa programme, examining how recent policy reforms, proposed changes to nationality rules and ongoing processing delays are reshaping the pathway to long‑term residence and EU citizenship.
Media mentions
In an article published in Mens en Migratie magazine, Senior Associate Tugba Ozyakup explains how authorized representatives support employers with recognized sponsor status by managing complex immigration processes, particularly for international companies navigating Dutch requirements.
Media mentions
Video
Manager Mihaela Dumitru highlights key considerations for business travelers entering Switzerland, emphasizing that compliance is determined by activities—not duration of stay or entry status.
Video
Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster and Senior Manager Sergio Flores discuss Mexico entry requirements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including visa processes, documentation requirements and key considerations for travelers.
Video
Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s offshore visa requirements, including eligibility, application steps and key compliance considerations for assignments over 90 days.
Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses why EB-5 is becoming a popular option for H-1B and F-1 visa holders in Silicon Valley navigating multiple pathways to permanent residence.
Media mentions
Partner Isha Atassi and Director Nofisatu Mojidi discuss key considerations for investors from Africa and the Middle East in the EB-5 program.
Media mentions
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole discusses Middle East-based UHNW clients making short-term moves driven by schooling and timing considerations.
Awards
Partners Chris Spentzaris and Sasko Markovski, Practice Leader Sarah Tan and Counsel Robert Walsh are recognized by Best Lawyers in Australia for their work in immigration law.
Awards
Fragomen is shortlisted across multiple categories in the 2026 EMMA Awards, recognizing innovation and impact in global mobility and immigration services.
Video
Learn how international graduates can stay in France for one year to find work or start a business. Discover eligibility requirements, application steps and transition options for the Job Seeker/New Business Creator permit.
Work authorization
Senior Associate Lara Hannaway outlines the current state of Portugal’s Golden Visa programme, examining how recent policy reforms, proposed changes to nationality rules and ongoing processing delays are reshaping the pathway to long‑term residence and EU citizenship.
Media mentions
In an article published in Mens en Migratie magazine, Senior Associate Tugba Ozyakup explains how authorized representatives support employers with recognized sponsor status by managing complex immigration processes, particularly for international companies navigating Dutch requirements.
Media mentions
Video
Manager Mihaela Dumitru highlights key considerations for business travelers entering Switzerland, emphasizing that compliance is determined by activities—not duration of stay or entry status.
Video
Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster and Senior Manager Sergio Flores discuss Mexico entry requirements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including visa processes, documentation requirements and key considerations for travelers.
Video
Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s offshore visa requirements, including eligibility, application steps and key compliance considerations for assignments over 90 days.
Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses why EB-5 is becoming a popular option for H-1B and F-1 visa holders in Silicon Valley navigating multiple pathways to permanent residence.
Media mentions
Partner Isha Atassi and Director Nofisatu Mojidi discuss key considerations for investors from Africa and the Middle East in the EB-5 program.