Malaysia: Oil and Gas Industry Applications in Sarawak Suspended until Further Notice

Update – January 16, 2025: The Sarawak Immigration Department has confirmed that the issue has been resolved, and all applications will now be processed as usual. Affected employers can expect a processing backlog due to the suspension.

November 25, 2024: Based on verbal communications, the Sarawak Immigration Office in Kuching has stopped processing all immigration applications from all employers in the oil and gas industry (including those with government contracts) until further notice. The suspension applies to new applications, those already submitted and those approved for entry and awaiting endorsement. During this time, employers may continue to submit immigration applications but will not receive adjudications on their applications until processing resumes. Foreign nationals and employers in the oil and gas industry can expect processing delays for all immigration applications until processing resumes and are advised to defer their travel plans to Sarawak until further notice. The Immigration Offices in Miri and Bintulu are still processing endorsements for approved applications; however, employers and foreign nationals may face delays in immigration adjudication for applications they submit in these offices as all applications are processed through the Kuching Immigration Office. Fragomen is monitoring the situation and will report further details as they become available.