In a change of policy, the Central Immigration Authority has introduced a new requirement mandating the physical presence of foreign nationals undergoing work permit endorsement procedures. The change follows the implementation of a biometric registration system, which is currently in a pilot phase but is already mandatory for work permit endorsement applications.
As a result of the change, work permit endorsements can no longer be completed by an authorized representative on behalf of an applicant. Foreign nationals must now appear at the immigration office to complete the endorsement process and must also be present to collect their passports, typically during a second visit the same day.
The Immigration Authority has advised that the biometric registration requirement currently applies only to work permit endorsement applications and does not extend to other immigration processes (e.g., visa endorsement or extension) at this time. However, it remains unclear whether the requirement may be expanded to additional immigration categories in the future.
Affected foreign nationals should coordinate with their immigration professionals for scheduling and compliance with the new procedures. We will monitor developments and provide further updates as additional information becomes available.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
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