Sipa launches fast-track system for IT workers

BANGKOK: Foreign IT workers coming to Thailand will be the envy of employees in all other sectors with the launch today of a new online system by the Software Industry Promotion Agency (Sipa).

The system will allow the government to process foreign IT workers’ applications for work permits and extensions of stay in just three hours.

Chalermcharn Yotviriyapanit, Head of the Investment Promotion Section at Sipa’s headquarters in Bangkok, told the Gazette today that although the final touches are being made to the website (here), foreigners may now apply online for a “Knowledge Worker Certificate” ratifying that they are recognized by the Thai government as genuine IT specialists.

The certificate entitles applicants to have work permits and extensions to stay lasting the duration of their employment contracts processed within three hours through Sipa’s One-Stop Service Center.

To be issued a certificate, foreign IT workers who have been offered a job in Thailand can fill out the application form here.

Sipa officers will email each applicant asking for evidence to support the application, such as scanned images of the applicant’s passport, resumé and letter offering employment.

“Sipa will process the initial application within five days,” explained K. Chalermcharn, adding that once the applicant has arrived in Thailand, he or she may then apply in person to Sipa’s One-Stop Service Center for a work permit and an extension to stay equivalent to the duration of the contract of employment.

“If all documents are in order, the work permit and extension to stay will be issued within three hours,” he said.

However, he added, “People coming to work in IT jobs must enter Thailand on a non-immigrant B visa, as they do now. The certificates have no influence in a Thai embassy decision whether to issue one of those,” he explained.

The fast track services are restricted to foreigners coming to work in Thailand in any of the following positions:

• Chief Information Officer

• Project Manager

• System Manager

• System Analyst & Designer

• Application Software Specialist

• Multimedia Software Specialist

• Data Communication Specialist

• Database Specialist

• IT Security Specialist

• IT Quality Assurance Specialist

• CAD-CAM Specialist

• Programmer Specialist

For further information contact K. Chalermcharn at Tel: 02-5540407 or Email: chalermcharn_yo@sipa.or.th, or visit https://www.sipa.or.th/knowledgeworker/