The visa fee has been significantly decreased from 2,000 baht (US$55.56) to just 500 baht. Likewise, the fee for those seeking temporary stay has also been reduced from 1,900 baht to 500 baht.
Starting from November 10, 2023, the order will be implemented for a duration of four years. This order specifically applies to foreign workers entering Thailand to work under an employment contract or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that is related to the recruitment of workers from four specific countries.
The objective of this measure is to guarantee legal employment for foreign workers and their contribution towards the nation's economy. It does so by addressing concerns tied to illegal immigration and maintaining stability within the labor market.
The ministry has stressed that the regulation aligns with the government's strategy of regulating the employment of foreign workers, aimed at enhancing the nation's competitiveness and aiding economic recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The reduction of fees is intended to alleviate financial stress on both employees and employers.
As per Thailand's Office of Foreign Labor Administration Department, the recorded data for September reveals a total of 2,593,439 foreign workers in the country. Additionally, it is estimated that around 1 million workers are currently undergoing the process of submitting work permit applications, aligning with the cabinet resolution passed on October 3, 2023.
