Residence Permit Cancellation May Cause Travel Restriction

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Executive Summary

Mozambican immigration authorities have stopped issuing residence permits per a policy published in 2014, and will now start to extend work permit holders’ work visas to allow foreign nationals to work and reside in Mozambique. As a result, immigration authorities are retaining the passports of those who submit new resident permit applications, and will retain the passports of work visa extension applicants for endorsement of the work visa extension, which may affect travel plans.

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The situation

New policy for work permit holders may affect travel
 

A closer look

Mozambican immigration authorities have stopped issuing residence permits and will now start to extend work permit holders’ work visas to allow the work permit holder to work and reside in Mozambique.

• Temporary impact. As a temporary measure while the authorities determine this policy’s details, immigration authorities are retaining the passports of those who submit new resident permit applications, which may affect travel plans.
• Permanent impact. The permanent impact of the cancellation of residence permits is that foreign nationals will need to apply for a work visa at a Mozambican consular post abroad after their in-country work permit is granted. They will then be able to apply for a work visa extension before their work visa expires. Authorities will retain the foreign national’s passport until the work visa is stamped.

 

Background

The cancellation of residence permits was announced in 2014. It was expected that instead of residence permits, Mozambican consular posts abroad would issue work visas to work permit applicants, which would allow foreign workers to remain in Mozambique until the end of their employment contract. However, no such regulations were implemented.
 

Looking ahead

Further developments are expected soon as the authorities finalize the implementation of this decree.
 

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].