WP.3 Application for a Work Permit for a foreigner not yet in Thailand

WP.3 (แบบ ตท.3, Application for a Work Permit on behalf of an alien under Section 11) is an application to the Thai Department of Employment (Ministry of Labour). The employer files it on behalf of a foreigner who has not yet entered Thailand, to obtain the work permit in advance.

According to the note on the form, a letter of consideration is issued within 3 working days after a complete application is accepted. How the letter is used afterwards (for example for a visa) — check with the DOE and the Thai embassy.

• the employer files it — a company or an individual in Thailand; it is signed by an authorised director or by the employer;
• if someone else submits the documents, a power of attorney from the employer with a 10-baht duty stamp is needed (its form is in the package);
• it is submitted to the Department of Employment office for the place of work — check the exact office and procedure with the DOE;
• according to the note, the employment of the foreigner must be notified within 15 days after the work permit is received.

• the WP.3 application: employer details, the foreigner (name, nationality, date of birth, address abroad, education, experience), category and nature of work, position, place of work, previous work permit, list of attachments;
• Form of Employment Certification: employer status, capital, last year's finances, staff numbers, terms of employment, the reason a Thai national is not hired;
• education and job experience certification (up to three previous jobs), signed by the foreigner and the employer;
• power of attorney — if the employer does not file in person.

• the completed WP.3 and employment certification;
• a copy of the first page of the passport;
• a copy of the education certificate or the education and experience certification;
• a copy of the professional licence if the law requires one for the work;
• the power of attorney with a 10-baht stamp and copies of the grantor's and grantee's ID cards — if an agent files;
• employer documents by type: for a company — registration certificate and shareholder list (not older than 6 months), VAT registration, social security and tax payment records, balance sheet; schools, government bodies, foundations and film productions have their own lists;
• 3 photos 3 x 4 cm.

The full current list, timing and fees depend on the case and the office — check the DOE website or the office.

The form is in Thai with English captions. The DOE note says the forms must be filled in Thai and foreign-language documents translated into Thai and certified. FoxDocs fills it in Latin letters: names as in the passport, the company as registered, the work description in English. Check in advance whether the office accepts this or requires a Thai version.

1. Open the chat on this page and write in any language who you are hiring and for which position.
2. Answer the questions about the company, the foreigner, the job and the place of work or send documents — the assistant fills in all four forms of the package and converts the financial year to the Buddhist Era.
3. Check the fields and download the PDF.
4. Print, sign, stamp the company seal, attach the photos and the duty stamp on the power of attorney, and submit to the DOE.

Official WP.3 form: doe.go.th (PDF); Thai Department of Employment — doe.go.th/alien. Checked on 2026-10-08. This is not legal advice.