Visa & Immigration Update - Oil and Gas Sector Work Permits in Sarawak, Malaysia

Effective Date: Immediate 

Impacted Country: Sarawak, Malaysia 

Background:
Oil and gas companies operating in the Malaysian state of Sarawak are facing indefinite delays securing work permits as local authorities have put all applications on hold.

Impact(s): 

• Immigration Department offices in Sarawak are not accepting any applications from the oil and gas sector until instructed to do so by the state government.
• This freeze includes new applications, work permit renewals and permit applications already approved by the Immigration Department, however still to be endorsed by a permit sticker.
• The Immigration Department’s measure effectively means oil and gas companies can only currently hire Sarawak locals in the state.

Our Recommendation(s): 
As the suspension enters its second week, it is difficult to predict how long the discussions will continue and when the moratorium will end. Dialogue continues between Sarawak’s state government and oil and gas representatives and talks are scheduled to be held on Monday, 15 August. If the stoppage continues indefinitely, the move will further delay processing times if and when the suspension is finally lifted.

SIRVA will update on the outcome of the talks as soon as more information becomes available.

For any questions, please reach out to Ryhan Aziz, SIRVA Immigration Specialist in Malaysia.

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