Hiring a Work Permit Agency? 7 Checks Before You Pay

Migrant worker documentation is a task where results are slow and difficult to verify along the way. You often only find out if the service provider you hired is competent when documents are nearing expiration or officials conduct an inspection. This article therefore compiles things you can **check before making any payment**, instead of waiting to assess results at the end.

Summary in 30 Seconds

• Request the work permit number and verify its existence — This single point can filter out the most providers.
• Prices must differentiate between government fees and service fees If not separated, you cannot compare providers.
• Anyone who promises "guaranteed approval" without seeing the employee's documents, walk away.

1. Request the work permit number and verify its existence

A company legally handling migrant worker matters will have a work permit number that can be provided immediately upon request. Ask for the number and confirm it with the **Provincial Employment Office** in the area. This takes only a few minutes and can filter out most problems from the start.

2. See what they ask you

This point checks "professionalism" better than a fancy website. A competent provider will ask before quoting a price: When does the employee's work permit expire? · Which Cabinet resolution group and round are they in? · What is their nationality? · Have they changed employers before? This is because each round truly has different deadlines and document sets. A provider who quotes a price immediately without asking anything is often one who will later find that “this case cannot be done.”

3. Prices must itemize what constitutes government fees and what constitutes service fees

Government fees are fixed and verifiable figures. For example, the current renewal round includes a 100 Baht application fee and a 900 Baht work permit fee. Service fees are specific to each provider — a good quotation must separate these two amounts. If they are bundled into a single amount without itemization, you will have no way of knowing what you are paying for.

4. There must be a contract and receipt every time

• Contract specifying scope of work, deliverables, timeline, and conditions in case of failure.
• Receipt in the company's name, not just a transfer to a personal account.
• Government fee receipts — always request copies for your records. This is proof that the application was actually submitted.

5. Ask how they will report progress

Documentation work takes weeks to months. What should be agreed upon beforehand is: How will you be informed of progress, how often, and when will you be notified if there are document issues? A provider who remains silent until the day of delivery is one where you will learn about problems the slowest.

6. Check if they are truly aware of the current amnesty rounds

An easy test question that always works: “Which round is currently open, and what is the submission deadline?” If they answer with a round that has already closed, or give a vague answer like “you can renew anytime,” be cautious — the deadlines for each round are fixed and cannot be reversed if missed.

7. Signs to walk away immediately

• Offering “shortcuts” that don't require the employee to appear in person or undergo a health check.
• Promising guaranteed approval without having seen the employee's documents.
• Asking for money to be transferred to a personal account and not issuing a receipt.
• Telling you to “let them work first, the documents will follow” — during that time, you are the one who will face penalties (a fine of 10,000–100,000 Baht per person, according to Section 102. See Employer Penalties with Section References).
• Offering to create untraceable documents — how to identify them is at 4 Checkpoints for Fake Documents.

What even a good company cannot do

The criteria above help filter out competent providers from incompetent ones, but there are some things thatno one can truly do on your behalf no matter how much you pay — if anyone promises these things, consider it an immediate red flag.

• Matters requiring the employee's personal appearance, such as biometric collection and health checks.
• Documents that the employer can print for free from the system, such as the temporary work permit form BT.62 — the Department of Employment specifically warns against those who claim they can do this for you (see BT.62 Latest Status and Scams to Watch Out For).
• Guaranteeing approval results — the approver is the registrar, not the company you hire.

Exworker also operates under these same criteria. If we or anyone else promises these three things, be suspicious.

Checklist before the first payment installment

1. You have seen the work permit number and verified its existence.
2. There is a written contract specifying the scope of work and what happens if it fails.
3. The quotation separates government fees from service fees.
4. Payment is transferred to a corporate account, and you receive a receipt for every installment.
5. You know how they will report progress to you and who your contact person is.
6. They asked for all your employee's information before quoting a price, not the other way around.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do companies handling migrant worker documents need a license?

Bringing foreign nationals to work is a licensed activity. Request the work permit number and verify its existence. Do not just accept verbal assurances or a photo of a license sent to you.

Why do prices from different providers vary so much?

Because some providers include government fees in a single price, some separate them, and the scope of work also differs. The effective way to compare is to ask for an itemized breakdown. You can see the items that should be included at Annual Cost of Hiring One Migrant Worker

What if I've paid but the work isn't progressing?

First, gather all contracts, receipts, and communication evidence, then consult the Provincial Employment Office in your area or the Ministry of Labour hotline 1506 — and do not let the employee continue working while waiting, because you are the one who will face penalties.

Can I let an employee work while waiting for documents?

No. Employing a foreign national without a work permit carries a fine of 10,000–100,000 Baht per person according to Section 102, and the employer, not the company you hired, is the one who faces penalties.

If I want to change providers, do I have to start everything over?

Not necessarily. It depends on how far the process has progressed. Request copies of all documents already submitted from the previous provider before making a decision — these copies belong to you.

If you are still hesitant whether to do it yourself or hire a company

We have compared the pros and cons of both approaches at MOU Migrant Worker Import: Do it Yourself or Hire a Company? And if you've read the 7 criteria above and want to check us, start on the MOU Migrant Worker Import Services page — feel free to ask any questions.

Information as of August 22, 2569 · Fees referenced from the current Ministry of Labour renewal round announcement