Cambodia Legal Update: Deadline for 2019 quota and work permit applications

On 20 August 2018, the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training (“MLVT”) issued notice No. 028 K.B./S.Ch.N (“Notice 028”) regarding approval requests for employing foreign employees (“Quota Approval”) and renewing work permits for 2019.

According to Notice 028, employers or managers of any corporate entities employing foreign employees must apply for the 2019 Quota Approval from 1 September to 30 November 2018. The Quota Approval is issued one-off and cannot be issued for a second time. Thus, employers or managers of corporate entities must make a good estimate of the number of foreign employees they intend to employ for 2019. Without a Quota Approval, the MLVT will not issue work permits.

With respect to 2019 work permit renewals, the applications must be submitted to the MLVT from 1 January to 31 March 2019. This deadline is for renewals only and does not apply to newly-hired foreign employees registering with the MLVT for the first time.  Such work permits can be applied for any time after a new foreign employee joins their employer.

The Quota Approval and work permit applications are straightforward and can be obtained via the MLVT’s online system at www.fwcms.mlvt.gov.kh by filling in the required information and uploading the documents required by the MLVT. Failure to obtain a Quota Approval and proper work permits for 2019 may result in penalties under the Labor Law.

If you have any questions about this alert or would like us to assist with Quota Approval or work permit applications and renewals, please contact Mr. Alex Larkin ([email protected]) or Mr. Leung Seng ([email protected]).

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