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
Podcast
Director Laxmi Limbani discusses how women are shaping the global space sector, the barriers they face and what is needed to support a more inclusive space workforce.
Video
Director Fatima Aydin outlines Ireland’s roadmap for increasing minimum annual remuneration salary thresholds and the implications for employer workforce planning and compliance.
Blog post
Senior Associate Ruben Fiedler outlines the new employer information obligation under Section 45c of the German Residence Act, explaining when it applies, what employers must provide to third-country nationals recruited from abroad and the practical steps needed to ensure compliance from 1 January 2026.
Podcast
Partners Cosmina Morariu and Rahul Soni examine how immigration and global mobility trends are influencing workforce strategy across the luxury sector.
Blog post
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit compares the EU’s new Visa Strategy with the UK’s post-Brexit immigration system and assesses what the UK can learn to remain competitive for global talent.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter highlights that new electronic signature rules may delay work permit procedures for foreign workers in Poland.
Blog post
Senior US Consular Manager Brian L. Simmons outlines how evolving US visitor visa rules, travel bans and new financial requirements may affect attendance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and how early fans must prepare.
Video
In this video, Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas explains the statutory director visa, outlining who qualifies, key compliance considerations and what employers and directors should consider when planning appointments or changes to board leadership.
Fragomen news
Fragomen’s "Immigration Guide for the UK Tech Sector" introduces visa options available for those working and recruiting in the tech sector.
Media mentions
Europe Managing Partner George Koureas highlights the growing role of immigration in shaping global business and managing strategic risks.
Blog post
Senior Associate Tayyaba Karim and Immigration Consultant Khadija Begum examine key UK immigration developments affecting the tech sector at the start of 2026, including higher sponsorship costs, new Skilled Worker English language requirements and emerging policy reforms shaping workforce planning.
Blog post
Assistant Business Immigration Manager Shirley Kock and Senior Business Immigration Consultant Eunice Leo examine why applying early for Singapore permanent residency can strengthen long-term outcomes for foreign professionals and their families amid increasing competition and evolving immigration policies.
Podcast
Director Laxmi Limbani discusses how women are shaping the global space sector, the barriers they face and what is needed to support a more inclusive space workforce.
Video
Director Fatima Aydin outlines Ireland’s roadmap for increasing minimum annual remuneration salary thresholds and the implications for employer workforce planning and compliance.
Blog post
Senior Associate Ruben Fiedler outlines the new employer information obligation under Section 45c of the German Residence Act, explaining when it applies, what employers must provide to third-country nationals recruited from abroad and the practical steps needed to ensure compliance from 1 January 2026.
Podcast
Partners Cosmina Morariu and Rahul Soni examine how immigration and global mobility trends are influencing workforce strategy across the luxury sector.
Blog post
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit compares the EU’s new Visa Strategy with the UK’s post-Brexit immigration system and assesses what the UK can learn to remain competitive for global talent.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter highlights that new electronic signature rules may delay work permit procedures for foreign workers in Poland.
Blog post
Senior US Consular Manager Brian L. Simmons outlines how evolving US visitor visa rules, travel bans and new financial requirements may affect attendance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and how early fans must prepare.
Video
In this video, Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas explains the statutory director visa, outlining who qualifies, key compliance considerations and what employers and directors should consider when planning appointments or changes to board leadership.
Fragomen news
Fragomen’s "Immigration Guide for the UK Tech Sector" introduces visa options available for those working and recruiting in the tech sector.
Media mentions
Europe Managing Partner George Koureas highlights the growing role of immigration in shaping global business and managing strategic risks.
Blog post
Senior Associate Tayyaba Karim and Immigration Consultant Khadija Begum examine key UK immigration developments affecting the tech sector at the start of 2026, including higher sponsorship costs, new Skilled Worker English language requirements and emerging policy reforms shaping workforce planning.
Blog post
Assistant Business Immigration Manager Shirley Kock and Senior Business Immigration Consultant Eunice Leo examine why applying early for Singapore permanent residency can strengthen long-term outcomes for foreign professionals and their families amid increasing competition and evolving immigration policies.