Oil And Gas Sector Work Pass Applications in Sabah Subject to New Preapproval Process
November 21, 2016

Country / Territory
Related offices
Effective immediately, companies operating in the oil and gas sector must obtain preapproval from the Sabah Chief Minister’s Department (JKM) before being able to submit new or renewal Work Pass applications to the Sabah Immigration Department. The application for preapproval from JKM is expected to take approximately four weeks to adjudicate from the date of submission.
Work pass applications pending with the Sabah Immigration Department have been placed on hold and will only be adjudicated after the employer provides the JKM approval letter to the Immigration Department.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
As a result of this additional requirement, employers in the oil and gas sector should expect overall processing times for Sabah work pass applications to increase by approximately four weeks.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Country / Territory
Related offices
Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post
Practice Leader Kate Praphakornphiphat, Senior Manager Amy Zhang, Immigration Program Manager Melissa Ngeow and Senior Knowledge Management Specialist Faye Amorado discuss the increasing popularity of highly skilled visas and digital nomad visas in the Asia-Pacific region.

Awards
Fragomen was honored with the Community Service Award at the Woori Center 2025 Gala on June 21, 2025 in Philadelphia.

Media mentions
Manager Andreia Florina Ghimis explains how HR teams can prepare for the EU’s new ETIAS travel authorisation system by communicating changes, supporting employees and ensuring compliance.

Blog post
Partner Parisa Karaahmet and Associate Mehmet Esat Acar discuss how not being selected in the H-1B lottery is not the end of the road, as other visa options may be available.

Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how visa delays and evolving rules are creating new challenges for international college athletes in the US.

Media mentions
Partner Marius Tollenaere discussed how a digital “Super-Agency” could streamline Germany’s skilled migration.

Blog post
Senior Immigration Program Manager Alexia Prior and Senior Immigration Programme Consultant Julia Daoud discuss the importance of crisis preparedness in the face of geopolitical instability, emphasizing proactive strategies and resilience planning.

Video
In this Mobility Minute, Immigration Consultant Caryn Esther Fisher discusses recent South African citizenship updates.

Awards
Partner F. Joseph Paldino, Senior Associate Clark Cannon and Associate Mallorie Mecham are recognized in Utah Business’s 2025 Legal Elite.

Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce discussed how heightened immigration enforcement is causing employers to review work authorization and staffing decisions.

Fragomen news
Fragomen announces it is deepening its capabilities in the Philippines with a new office in Bonifacio Global City, the leading business and lifestyle district in Metro Manila.

Blog post
Associates Ali Ali and Charlotte Roberts discuss how UK employers can sponsor skilled workers using discounted salary rates to meet immigration requirements.

Blog post
Practice Leader Kate Praphakornphiphat, Senior Manager Amy Zhang, Immigration Program Manager Melissa Ngeow and Senior Knowledge Management Specialist Faye Amorado discuss the increasing popularity of highly skilled visas and digital nomad visas in the Asia-Pacific region.

Awards
Fragomen was honored with the Community Service Award at the Woori Center 2025 Gala on June 21, 2025 in Philadelphia.

Media mentions
Manager Andreia Florina Ghimis explains how HR teams can prepare for the EU’s new ETIAS travel authorisation system by communicating changes, supporting employees and ensuring compliance.

Blog post
Partner Parisa Karaahmet and Associate Mehmet Esat Acar discuss how not being selected in the H-1B lottery is not the end of the road, as other visa options may be available.

Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how visa delays and evolving rules are creating new challenges for international college athletes in the US.

Media mentions
Partner Marius Tollenaere discussed how a digital “Super-Agency” could streamline Germany’s skilled migration.

Blog post
Senior Immigration Program Manager Alexia Prior and Senior Immigration Programme Consultant Julia Daoud discuss the importance of crisis preparedness in the face of geopolitical instability, emphasizing proactive strategies and resilience planning.

Video
In this Mobility Minute, Immigration Consultant Caryn Esther Fisher discusses recent South African citizenship updates.

Awards
Partner F. Joseph Paldino, Senior Associate Clark Cannon and Associate Mallorie Mecham are recognized in Utah Business’s 2025 Legal Elite.

Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce discussed how heightened immigration enforcement is causing employers to review work authorization and staffing decisions.

Fragomen news
Fragomen announces it is deepening its capabilities in the Philippines with a new office in Bonifacio Global City, the leading business and lifestyle district in Metro Manila.

Blog post
Associates Ali Ali and Charlotte Roberts discuss how UK employers can sponsor skilled workers using discounted salary rates to meet immigration requirements.