WORK PERMIT ADMINISTRATION PROCEDURES (DoL)
3.0WORK PERMITS (Schedule A – How to apply for a Work Permit?)
3.1First Application:
3.1.1Employer obtains prescribed application form from the Department of Labour (See Work Permit Forms) on website.
3.1.2A letter of request for processing to be commenced should be addressed to the Labour Commissioner as soon as practical.
3.1.3The Forms are completed in duplicate and returned to the Department with the following :
(a)applicant’s Passport
(b)health Certificate
(c)police Certificate
(d)$1.00 local postage stamp
3.1.3 The Department of labour issues a receipt voucher form to the applicant to pay a
Non-refundable processing fee of $50.00 in the case of a CARICOM national, and
$100.00 for other nationals (as at December 2008 and subject to change). A temporary permit to work may be granted at this stage.
3.1.4 The applicant pays fees into the Treasury and returns the receipt to the Department of Labour.
3.1.5The Department of Labour:
(a)date stamps the receipt
(b)records the receipt number on the application.
3.1.6The Department of Labour forwards the application to the Immigration Department for status checking.
3.1.7The Immigration Department returns the application to the Department of Labour with its recommendations.
3.1.8The Department of Labour processes the application for the Work Permit in accordance with internal committee approved guidelines.
3.1.9The Labour Commissioner prepares and submits an Executive Council paper, taking into account the recommendations provided including those of the Work Permit Committee.
3.1.10Executive Council communicates its decision to the Department of Labour.
3.1.11The employer is informed by letter from the Labour Commissioner of the decision of Executive Council.
N. B. The Work Permit Committee comprises representatives of:
- Immigration
- Labour Advisory Board
- Department of Labour
3.1.12If application is approved, the employer is request to :
(a)submit three (3) Passport – size photographs to the Department of Labour
- One for work permit
- One for application form
- One for immigration
(b)pay into the Treasury, fees ascribed by law for the occupation in which the employee would be engaged. ( See Work Permit Schedule of Fees)
N.B.A deadline of two (2) weeks is given to comply, failing which, further processing of the permit would be abandoned.
3.1.13Once the required fees have been paid, and the photographs have been received, the Work Permit is prepared and sent to the Immigration Department for final vetting and issue to the holder.
3.1.13The Department of Labour advises the employer by letter, to collect the Work Permit(s) from the Immigration Department. The Department of Labour also advises the employer to initiate renewal procedures at least 8 weeks prior to expiry of the work permit.
3.1.14The Work Permit statistics is reflected in the Department’s Annual Report.
N.B.Where a person is self-employed, the above procedure would apply directly to himself.
3.2 Renewals/Variations
Variation of Work Permit occurs, for example, where there is a change of employer, where the person’s position or line of employment changes.
3.2.1Employer obtains prescribed application from the Labour Department.
(See application forms on this website)
3.2.2Employer completes and returns application form in duplicate to the Department of Labour.
3.2.3(a) The Department of Labour issues a receipt voucher form to the applicant to pay a non – refundable processing fee of $50.00 in the case of CARICOM nationals and $100.00 for other nationals (as at December 2008 and subject to change).
(c)In case of a variation or change from original employer a fee of $75.00 is charged.
3.2.4The applicant pays fees into the Treasury and returns the receipt to the Department of Labour.
3.2.5Department of Labour:
(a)date stamps the receipt
(b)records the receipt number on the application
3.2.6Department of Labour forwards the application to the Immigration Department for vetting.
3.2.7Immigration Department returns vetted application to the Department of Labour.
3.2.8Department of Labour processes the application in accordance with approved Work Permit Committee guidelines.
3.2.9Labour Commissioner request by memorandum the endorsement of the Minister of Labour for the renewal of the work permits (Copies of memoranda are kept on computer and on file).
3.2.10The Minister informs the Labour Commissioner of at the Department of Labour of his/her considerations.
3.2.11Employer is informed as to whether or not the application has been approved.
3.2.12If approved, the employer is requested to submit to the Department of Labour the old or expired Work Permit Card(s).
3.2.13A new expiry date is printed and initialed by Labour Commissioner on the Permit.
3.2.14The Department of Labour forwards the permit to the Immigration Department where the variations and any change in circumstances are recorded while the employer is also advised by the Department of Labour accordingly.