30-second summary: Migrant workers registered under Thai cabinet resolutions currently have 4 expiry dates to remember: 11 Dec 2026 · 13 Feb 2027 · 31 Mar 2027 · 11 Dec 2027. The group that must act first is the 11 Dec 2026 group, which must file for renewal by that day. The other two groups have no filing announcement yet, so prepare documents now.
The Exworker team wrote this because an infographic of a "4-group expiry timeline" is being widely shared. We checked every line against the cabinet resolutions and found that the expiry dates are correct, but some lines cite a resolution with the wrong year and count the same group of workers twice. Below is the checked version (information as of 29 Oct 2026).
Migrant workers' 4 expiry dates in one table
| Expiry date | Which group | Nationality | What to do now |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Dec 2026 | Registration group under the cabinet resolution of 11 Nov 2025 | Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam | File for renewal by 11 Dec 2026 — filing is open |
| 13 Feb 2027 | The 4-nationality resolution group (cabinet resolution of 4 Feb 2025) and the Lao–Vietnamese relaxation group of 4 Feb 2025 | Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam | Prepare documents, wait for the procedure announcement |
| 31 Mar 2027 | Relaxation group under the cabinet resolution of 24 Sep 2024 (renewed by the resolution of 2 Dec 2025) | Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam | Visa stamping had to be done by 28 Sep 2026 · waiting for the next resolution |
| 11 Dec 2027 | Not a new group — it is the 11 Dec 2026 group after a successful renewal | Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam | Complete visa stamping by 30 Jun 2027 |
How do I check which group my worker is in?
Look at the "permitted to work until" date on the work permit or in the e-WorkPermit system for each worker, then compare it with the table above. The date on that person's document is the most accurate answer. Do not guess from nationality or the year they started work.
- Everyone in the group expires on the same day = cabinet-resolution workers; this table applies
- Each person expires on a different day = usually MOU-imported workers, counted individually and not in this table. See the difference between MOU workers and cabinet-resolution groups
The 11 Dec 2026 group — most urgent: how to renew
This is the group registered under the cabinet resolution of 11 Nov 2025, about 720,000 people. The cabinet resolution of 14 Jul 2026 allows renewal for another 1 year, to 11 Dec 2027, but the application must be filed by 11 Dec 2026, and only through e-WorkPermit — the single channel.
Total fee 1,000 baht (application fee 100 + work permit fee 900) · on the last day the system stops accepting applications at 16:30 on 11 Dec 2026
Cabinet resolution of 14 Jul 2026 · Foreign Workers Administration Office, Department of Employment announcement of 2 Sep 2026Health check and health insurance costs are not included in this 1,000 baht. For the full cost breakdown, read work permit renewal costs 2026.
Documents needed for the 11 Dec 2026 renewal
- Passport or travel document in lieu of passport — Myanmar workers without a document yet may attach it later (this is not an exemption). See the new round of Myanmar CI centers
- Health check for 6 diseases from a government hospital, or a private hospital linked to the Department of Employment's system
- Proof of social security under Section 33 — if the worker recently changed employer and coverage has not started, use health insurance covering at least 6 months · for businesses not required to join social security (domestic work, agriculture, livestock), use health insurance covering at least 1 year
- Power of attorney with duty stamp — if the employer or a licensed recruitment agency files on the worker's behalf
A tick-box checklist is in the checklist for the 11 Nov 2025 cabinet-resolution group.
Renewal steps for the 11 Dec 2026 group
- Health check + insurance proof — do this first, because it must be attached when filing
- File the application in e-WorkPermit — by 11 Dec 2026, before 16:30
- Pay the 1,000 baht fee — the work permit then runs to 11 Dec 2027
- Visa stamping at Immigration — by 30 Jun 2027, giving permission to stay until 11 Dec 2027
Miss 11 Dec 2026 and the work permit expires that day, and the worker can no longer work. This round's announcement says nothing about late filing or a catch-up round. Do not plan on a second round.
The 13 Feb 2027 group — one more renewal to 2029
The largest group is the 4-nationality resolution group of about 2.4 million people (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam). The cabinet resolution of 4 Feb 2025 states clearly that after 13 Feb 2027 the permit "can be renewed one more time only, for no more than 2 years, until 13 February 2029".
This group's permits were issued "in MOU form", but they are not MOU-imported workers. Many people confuse this and think every MOU worker expires on 13 Feb 2027, which is not true.
As of the date we checked, there is no announcement yet of the filing date, procedure or fee for the renewal to 2029, so we do not give any figures. What you can do now is check whether the worker's passport or CI book expires first. If your worker holds a CI, see CI expiring for the 13 Feb 2027 group: what employers must do.
How the Lao–Vietnamese 13 Feb 2027 relaxation group differs from the large group
On the same date there is also the Lao and Vietnamese relaxation group of 4 Feb 2025, about 4,070 people. This group was originally permitted to work until 13 Feb 2026, then the cabinet resolution of 2 Dec 2025 extended it by 1 year to 13 Feb 2027, for both stay and work.
That resolution does not say the permit can be renewed again after 13 Feb 2027, and we found no evidence that this group has the same "renew to 2029" right as the large group, so do not assume they are the same. If your Lao or Vietnamese worker expires on 13 Feb 2027, confirm with the provincial employment office which group they belong to.
The 31 Mar 2027 group — no resolution yet for the next round
These are Lao, Myanmar and Vietnamese workers in the relaxation group under the cabinet resolution of 24 Sep 2024. They originally expired on 31 Mar 2026, then the cabinet resolution of 2 Dec 2025 extended them by 1 year to 31 Mar 2027. This group had 2 deadlines, both already passed.
| Step | Deadline |
|---|---|
| File the renewal in e-WorkPermit (fee 100 + 900 baht) | By 31 Mar 2026 |
| Visa stamping or temporary-stay permission | By 28 Sep 2026 |
If your worker filed for renewal but did not complete visa stamping by 28 Sep 2026, check their status with the provincial employment office or the 1506 hotline (press 2) before doing anything else. We do not guess the consequences because the announcement does not set out a remedy.
As of the date we checked, no resolution extending this group beyond 31 Mar 2027 has been found, and the resolution of 2 Dec 2025 does not say it can be renewed again. What you can do now is make sure the worker's passport does not expire first, and have a backup plan such as importing workers under MOU in case the government does not extend this round.
Which group are Cambodian workers in?
Cambodian workers fall into 2 groups that must be kept apart.
- The 4-nationality resolution group — may stay and work until 13 Feb 2027 as in the table above. Check the expiry date on each worker's permit individually.
- The relaxation group under the cabinet resolution of 24 Sep 2024, permitted to work until 31 Mar 2026 — renewal was put on hold under the cabinet resolution of 2 Dec 2025 because of the Thai–Cambodian border situation. As of the date we checked, no new cabinet resolution renewing this group has been found. Employers should check each worker's status with the provincial employment office or the 1694 hotline before taking any action.
Cambodian workers are not part of the 11 Dec 2026 renewal round.
Many workers, each expiring on a different day, and too much to sort out yourself? Tell Nong X each worker's nationality and permit expiry date, and we will sort them into groups and tell you who must act first. Free answers, no sign-up needed.
Common misunderstandings
- Many people think "11 Dec 2026" and "11 Dec 2027" are 2 groups — they are the same group, before and after renewal. Without filing by 11 Dec 2026, the worker will not get to 2027.
- Many people think the renewal resolution for this group was issued on 14 Jul 2025 — the correct date is the cabinet resolution of 14 Jul 2026 (the shared infographic has the wrong year).
- Many people think every MOU worker expires on 13 Feb 2027 — MOU-imported workers expire individually based on their entry date; there is no common expiry date.
- Many people think they can file at the provincial employment office — the 11 Dec 2026 round is filed through e-WorkPermit only; the office is for advice only.
What to do if you have already missed the deadline
This round's announcement does not set out a remedy, and we will not guess one. This point can be interpreted in several ways, so confirm with your provincial employment office or the 1506 hotline (press 2) before acting. If you need to hire replacements, the legal and plannable route is importing workers under MOU.
If time is short and you have not started, read renewing a work permit close to the deadline: what to do first.
How Exworker can help
If you have many workers in the 11 Dec 2026 group and do not want to risk a mistake in the system close to the deadline, see our migrant worker work permit renewal service. We are a licensed recruitment agency that can file on the employer's behalf with a power of attorney. For health checks and insurance, see our migrant worker health check and health insurance service.
For the 13 Feb 2027 and 31 Mar 2027 groups, we will update this page as soon as the procedure is announced.
Frequently asked questions
Which migrant worker group must renew first?
The group whose permits expire on 11 Dec 2026 (Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam under the cabinet resolution of 11 Nov 2025) must file for renewal by 11 Dec 2026.
How much is the fee for the 11 Dec 2026 work permit renewal?
1,000 baht (application fee 100 + work permit fee 900), not including health check and insurance.
Can the 13 Feb 2027 group renew?
The 4-nationality resolution group can renew one more time, to 13 Feb 2029, under the cabinet resolution of 4 Feb 2025, but the procedure and filing date have not been announced yet.
Can the 31 Mar 2027 group renew?
As of the date we checked, no resolution extending beyond 31 Mar 2027 has been found, and this group had to complete visa stamping by 28 Sep 2026. If that has not been done, check with the provincial employment office immediately.
Can Lao and Vietnamese workers expiring on 13 Feb 2027 renew to 2029?
It depends on the group. The 4-nationality resolution group has wording in the resolution allowing renewal to 13 Feb 2029, but no such wording has been found for the Lao–Vietnamese relaxation group of 4 Feb 2025. Confirm the group with the provincial employment office.
Is 11 Dec 2027 a new group?
No. It is the 11 Dec 2026 group after a successful renewal, and visa stamping must be completed by 30 Jun 2027.
References
- Cabinet resolution of 14 July 2026 on renewing work permits for Lao, Myanmar and Vietnamese nationals
- Cabinet resolutions of 2 December 2025 and 11 November 2025 (cabinet meeting news summaries, Government House)
- Government spokesperson's statement of 1 March 2026 on filing work permit renewals for Lao, Myanmar and Vietnamese workers by 31 Mar 2026 (Government Public Relations Department)
- Cabinet resolution of 4 February 2025, item 22, on extending the renewal period of work permits for foreigners in MOU form
- Foreign Workers Administration Office, Department of Employment announcement of 2 September 2026 on work permit renewals for workers of 3 nationalities
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