For Myanmar workers planning to work in Thailand long-term, a passport is the more flexible option, because it allows wider travel and is a standard travel document. A Certificate of Identity (CI) is a suitable alternative when a passport cannot be obtained, or cannot be obtained in time, since it confirms nationality and can support a visa application in Thailand, but it comes with more limitations.
Choosing the wrong one can mean redoing documents and wasting money and time. This article helps employers and workers decide.
What Is a CI?
A CI, or Certificate of Identity, is an identity document issued by the Myanmar authorities to Myanmar workers in Thailand who do not yet have a passport, confirming that they are Myanmar nationals. It allows workers without a passport to apply for a visa and complete their work documents in Thailand.
CIs are issued through centres set up in Thailand during periods agreed between the Thai and Myanmar governments, and the Cabinet has extended the CI issuance period several times. In the current round (per the Department of Employment notice of 12 October 2026), CI centres are open in Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan, Surat Thani and Chiang Mai, plus a Mobile Unit in Chonburi, from 14 October 2026 to 14 January 2027. The fee is 2,660 THB, and queue booking and payment are made at 7-Eleven Counter Service.
What Is a Myanmar Passport?
A passport is an internationally standard travel document. It can be used both in Thailand and for travel to other countries, and it is the main document for workers who enter through the MOU system.
Pros and Limitations Compared
| Topic | CI | Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Confirms nationality | Yes | Yes |
| Supports a visa application in Thailand | Yes (for designated groups) | Yes |
| Can be used to apply for a work permit | Yes (for designated groups) | Yes |
| Travel to third countries | Limited | Yes, subject to each country’s visa requirements |
| Use in the MOU system | A passport is generally used | Yes |
| Difficulty of obtaining | Depends on when centres are open | Depends on queues and documents on the Myanmar side |
| Validity | Limited validity, must be renewed | Limited validity, must be renewed |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose a passport if
- The worker will work in Thailand long-term or plans to enter the MOU system
- The worker wants to travel home or to other countries conveniently
- The worker has enough Myanmar-side documents to obtain a passport
A CI is suitable when
- A passport cannot be obtained at the moment, or the queue is longer than the filing deadline allows
- A nationality document is needed to apply for a visa and keep working in Thailand before the deadline
- The authorities are currently issuing CIs and the worker’s group is allowed to use a CI under the announcement
Link to the Latest Cabinet Resolution
Under the Cabinet Resolution of 14 July 2026 (B.E. 2569), Myanmar workers in the Cabinet Resolution group must obtain a passport or substitute document (such as a CI) and apply for a visa within 90 days of receiving the document, but no later than 30 June 2027 (B.E. 2570) — this round accepts a CI in place of a passport. If a worker does not yet have a travel document, start now → read Summary of the 14 July 2026 Cabinet Resolution
Points to Watch
- Name and date of birth must match across all documents — CI/passport, work permit and pink card (ID card for non-Thai nationals). If the spelling differs, renewal applications will run into problems.
- Switching from a CI to a passport requires transferring the visa to the new document and updating the information in the work permit system.
- Beware of unlicensed brokers — use only official channels.
📋 Quick summary
- Passport = more flexible, suited to long-term work/MOU/travel
- CI = an alternative when a passport cannot be obtained; usable for visa and work in Thailand for designated groups
- The Cabinet Resolution group must have a passport or CI + visa within 90 days of receiving the document (no later than 30 June 2027)
- Make sure the name and date of birth match on every document
Myanmar worker without a passport yet?
Let Best Friend Visa assess whether a CI or passport is the better option and handle everything until the visa is issued.
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Last updated: 17 October 2026 (B.E. 2569) — regulations may change; please check with our staff before proceeding.