Supporting documentation requirements to change for ICT sector

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Authorities have announced that they will soon make changes to the supporting document requirements for foreign nationals applying for employment or dependent passes in the information, communication and technology (ICT) sector.

What does the change mean? Effective Jan. 23, the supporting document requirements will change. The checklist of supporting documents is not yet available, but is expected to be posted to this eXpats Service Centre website no later than Jan. 23.

• Implementation time frame: Jan. 23.
• Visas/permits affected: Employment and dependent passes in the ICT sector.
• Who is affected:  Employers and foreign nationals applying for employment or dependent passes in the ICT sector.
• Impact on processing times: Processing may be unnecessarily delayed if supporting documentation requirements are not met.

Background: The eXpats Service Centre announced this week that its checklist of supporting documents for permit applications in the ICT sector would change Jan. 23. That new list has not yet been posted, but is expected to be updated soon. The center also said that beginning Jan. 23, applicants will be required to upload photos of themselves as part of their application. Hard-copy photos will no longer be accepted.

BAL Analysis: Employers and foreign nationals applying for employment or dependent passes in the ICT sector on or after Jan. 23 should check the new checklist to make sure they have complied with the new rules on supporting documents. Applications that do not have proper supporting documents will face delayed processing.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Malaysia. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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