Mozambique: Proof of Job Vacancy Advertisement Now Required Before Hiring Foreign Nationals

The Ministry of Labor in Mozambique now requires employers, across all sectors and whether or not subject to a quota, to prove that no qualified Mozambican national is available before hiring a foreign national. To comply with this requirement, before applying for a long-term work permit, employers must first complete a job vacancy notification form and submit it to the National Institute of Employment Promotion (INEP). Following submission, a mandatory seven-day waiting period applies, after which employers are required to advertise the vacancy in a widely circulated Mozambican newspaper or on an online platform for another seven days. After employers show that proof of both steps was completed, they may then proceed with the long-term work permit application, along with a report to the Ministry of Labor confirming that no qualified Mozambican applicants were identified. The only exemption to this requirement is for the hiring of company owners, directors, and legal representatives, or for those individuals hired for Rovuma Basin projects. Previously, a job vacancy advertisement was not required.

While the process aims to promote transparency and ensure Mozambican nationals receive priority in employment opportunities, it is likely to delay the hiring of foreign nationals and may make it more difficult to fill roles that could otherwise be filled by the local population.      

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.