Thailand extends visa deadline for migrant workers from four nations
The Ministry of Interior in Thailand declared an extension for migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The extension allows them to remain in the country while applying for fresh visas and work permits. This decision, announced yesterday, is the Ministry’s response to two new regulations that were disclosed in the Royal Gazette on Monday.
According to Traisuree Taisaranakul, the secretary to Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Ministry spokesperson, the first announcement is retroactive from October 1. It addresses the migrant workers from the four countries who already reside in Thailand and were earlier allowed to live and work in the country until September 30, under a cabinet resolution made on July 5.
This fresh pronouncement permits this specific group of migrant workers to continue residing and working in Thailand until January 20 next year. During this period, the legal permissions their employers are seeking for them to continue living and working in Thailand until February 13, 2025, are processed, explained Traisuree.
Children of these migrant workers, who are below the age of 18, are automatically permitted to stay. However, those who are 18 and above have an additional 60 days from their 18th birthday to apply for legal work permission in Thailand.
The second announcement by the Ministry, effective from yesterday, pertains to a different group of migrant workers. These workers hail from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, and currently live and work in Thailand under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between their respective governments and the Thai government.
Under this new declaration, the MoU migrant workers from these three nations who have four-year permission to live and work in Thailand which expires on December 31, can continue residing in the country until April 30 next year. If they wish to keep working from January 1 to April 30 next year, their employers must submit a work permit application on their behalf, stated Traisuree.
For those who plan to stay on and continue working after April 30 next year, their employers will need to submit a new request once more. This move by the Thai government ensures the legal status of migrant workers in the country, allowing them to continue making significant contributions to the Thai economy, reported Bangkok Post.
