Your MOU employees have completed 2 years? They can renew for another 2 — don’t let the deadline pass
We check expiry dates, prepare the documents and renew both the work permit and the visa in a single round.
Chat on LINE — free advice Call 093-541-6444
What is the MOU 2-year renewal?
Workers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia who enter under the MOU (government-to-government recruitment) receive an initial work authorisation of 2 years. When this ends, if the employer still wants to keep them, they can apply to renew the work permit and extend their temporary stay (visa extension) for up to another 2 years, for a maximum of 4 years in total.
Both must be renewed together — the work permit gives the right to work, and the visa gives the right to stay in the country. Without either one, the employee cannot continue working.
Who needs this service?
- Employers whose MOU employees are approaching the end of their first 2 years and who want to keep them
- Employers whose employees’ work permits and visas expire on different dates and need to be aligned
- Employers whose employees are approaching 4 years and who want to plan a new recruitment round
The 4-year timeline for MOU workers
| Period | What to do |
|---|---|
| Years 1–2 | Work under the first work permit and visa; file the 90-day report (TM.47) on schedule |
| Before 2 years end | Health check, prepare documents, apply for work permit renewal + visa extension |
| Years 3–4 | Continue working under the new work permit and visa |
| After 4 years | Workers must return to their country of origin. If the employer wants to keep employing them, they must be recruited again through the MOU system |
⚠️ Workers cannot stay on after 4 years. If a worker does not return home, they will be on an overstay, an offence under the immigration law, and an employer who keeps employing them also commits an offence. At times the government may issue a Cabinet Resolution granting special relief — message us on LINE to check the latest announcement.
Documents to prepare
From the worker
- Original passport (with sufficient validity remaining — renew it first if it is close to expiry)
- Current work permit or e-WorkPermit
- Medical certificate with prohibited disease screening results
- Proof of social security or health insurance
- 90-day report receipt (TM.47) and accommodation notification receipt (TM.30)
- Photos in the required size
From the employer
- Copy of the employer’s ID card, or company certificate (for juristic persons)
- New employment contract or employment certificate
- Power of attorney (if an agent submits on your behalf)
Documents may vary by the local provincial employment office and immigration office. We will check and tell you what is needed before submission.
How our service works
- Expiry check — send photos of the passport and work permit via LINE and we calculate the filing deadlines
- Health check and insurance — we coordinate with the hospital and check social security/health insurance status
- Work permit renewal — we file the application and pay the fees with the Department of Employment (DOE)
- Visa extension at the immigration office — we file the application to extend temporary stay and accompany the worker to appear in person
- Check results and record — we check the new permitted dates, record the 4-year end date and send advance reminders so the employer can plan
Costs
| Item | Government fee | Service fee |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit application fee | 100 THB/person | — |
| 2-year work permit fee | 1,800 THB/person | — |
| Application to extend temporary stay (visa extension) | 500 THB/person | — |
| Health check / health insurance | At the hospital’s rate / depends on the plan | — |
Service fees depend on the number of workers and documents — ask us on LINE for a free quote.
The 500 THB extension-of-stay application fee (previously 1,900 THB) follows the ministerial regulation reducing fees for MOU workers from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, in effect from November 2023 (B.E. 2566) for 4 years (Source: Department of Employment)
Frequently asked questions
How long before the 2 years end should I start preparing the renewal?
We recommend contacting us well before the work permit or visa expires, to allow time for the health check and document preparation.
Can I renew only the work permit and not the visa?
No. Both must be renewed. If the visa expires, the employee will be on an overstay even if the work permit is still valid → See our visa extension service
What if my employee’s passport is about to expire?
The passport must be renewed first, and then the visa and stamps transferred to the new passport → See our passport service
After 4 years, can they renew again?
As a rule, no. The worker must return to their country of origin, and the employer then recruits again through the MOU system. The waiting period before returning depends on the regulations at the time.
I want to keep the same worker after 4 years. What should I do?
Plan ahead before the 4 years end. We help prepare the new recruitment round to minimise any gap in staffing → See our MOU recruitment service
Can the employee keep working while waiting for the result?
If the application is filed within the deadline and there is proof of filing, they can generally keep working while waiting — but never let the deadline pass.
What does an employee need to do to go home after the renewal?
Get a Re-entry Permit before leaving Thailand, otherwise the newly extended visa will be cancelled → See our Re-entry Permit service
Related services
- Work permit renewal
- Visa extension
- MOU recruitment (overview)
- Health checks for migrant workers
- 90-day report (TM.47)
When will your employees reach 2 years? Let us remind you in advance and renew on time
Best Friend Visa handles work permit and visa renewals from start to finish, and helps you plan for the 4-year mark.
Chat on LINE — free advice Call 093-541-6444
Last updated: 17 October 2026 — regulations may change; please check with our staff before proceeding.