Government publishes year-to-date refused-entry statistics

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Mozambican National Migration Service has published its year-to-date statistics for refused entry to the country. Agency spokesperson Cira Fernandes announced the January-to-September statistics in her weekly press briefing. The key points were:

• 1,863 foreign nationals were denied entry to Mozambique between January and September 2017, a reduction of approximately 13 percent from the same period in 2016.
• 888 foreign nationals were denied entry because they had forged entry visas; 230 had no travel document; and 492 either had no visa or could not satisfactorily explain their intentions in Mozambique.
• 75 percent of those who were refused entry arrived at Maputo International Airport; 13 percent arrived at Pemba International Airport in the northern province of Cabo Delgado; and 4 percent arrived at Nampula International Airport in central Mozambique.

In addition to its continuing efforts at the border, the Migration Service has also intensified its employer audits across the country this year to identify and repatriate foreign citizens working in Mozambique illegally. These audits may be scheduled or unannounced.

Employers may be fined for employing a worker without a work permit if one is required, and repeat offenders may have their facilities closed. Fines are determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the type of violation. In addition, the government will publish the details of noncompliant companies and foreign workers in the local media. Foreign nationals working without a work permit may be fined and are frequently deported.

BAL Analysis: The recent publication of figures on refused entry indicates that the Mozambican government is continuing to crack down on abuse of the immigration and work permit system.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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