
Work Permit applicants with pre-work permit approval letters will see a reduced processing time of three to four business days instead of the current three to seven business day time frame.
Processing times for other Work Permit applications, such as those submitted through the Board of Investment or the One Stop Service Centre, are not affected.
Stricter Collection Requirement for Work Permit Booklet
Upon filing of the in-country Work Permit application, labor officers will issue a confirmation receipt and will now schedule an appointment for collection of the booklet. Applicants must collect the booklet on this date or their application may be rejected.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Employers and foreign nationals should benefit from faster Work Permit processing and earlier start dates.
Foreign nationals should work with their immigration provider to ensure they collect their Work Permit booklet on the date set by the labor authorities. Third parties cannot collect the booklet on a foreign national's behalf.
We worked closely with Dej-Udom & Associates Ltd. to prepare this alert. It 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].
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