The Ministry of Labour announced on March 11 that individuals holding PJ and OWIC cards must obtain travel permission from the ministry before traveling abroad.

The statement said that if passport for job (PJ) holders and Overseas Worker Identification Card (OWIC) holders intend to travel abroad, whether through an agency program, their own program (professional), or because they want to return after their leave, they must apply to the Ministry of Labour online (not in person) with the following documents to obtain permission to travel abroad.

These documents are (a) an application letter addressed to the Department of Labour requesting permission to travel abroad, (b) a copy of their passport (photo page and residence permit page), (c) a copy of their valid front and back of Overseas Worker Identification Card, (d) a copy of their valid work permit and a letter of permission from their employer to return to their home country on leave if they are returning workers, (e) agencies to submit their applications to the relevant email addresses in their respective countries when applying to work abroad, (f) to submit their applications to [email protected] along with the required documents if they are applying to work abroad on their own, and (g) applications to submit at least 5 days in advance (excluding holidays).

After verification, the ministry will announce the lists of those approved to work abroad on the Safe Migration Telegram Channel and will also send them to the relevant airports. The Ministry of Labour said that the process outlined in this announcement will begin on March 17, 2025.