I have been in Thailand for several years and previously was employed with a work permit. I resigned from that position about a year ago, and now I am starting a company and going through the work permit process again.

Upon visiting the labor office in Phuket I am informed I must have my old work permit. It has been cancelled I am told by my old employer but, they "cannot find it".

Do I really need the old permit...cancelled and invalid to apply for a new one? How do I get around this?

Thanks in advance!

Do I really need the old permit...cancelled and invalid to apply for a new one? How do I get around this?

Thanks in advance!

If it’s than more than one year ago, you need a copy of the old work permit and a official government form called “returning of work permit.”

If you cannot find a copy of your work permit, provide a copy of your passport and they will need to search for a copy of it at the Labor Dept.

If it was less than one year ago or is still valid, you need to go to the Police Dept. and report the old work permit lost. You then will need to pay a fine which is 1,000 Baht. The employer will need to pay the same amt of fine to the Police. With that receipt, you can apply for the new work permit.

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