Employers take note: Foreign Employees’ Visas have been Extended

Employers employing foreign nationals during the lockdown period are currently faced
with the dilemma of knowing many foreign employees’ visas expired following the
national lockdown on 27 March 2020.

Although the Ministry of Home Affairs initially introduced temporary measures to
accommodate foreign employees whose visas would expire in this time, many employers
are aware that this extension was due to expire on 31 July 2020.

On Wednesday, 22 July 2020, however, the Minister of Home Affairs announced that
there will be a further extension of the expired visas in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Until further notice, the extension will be valid until 31 October 2020.

Employers can, therefore, rest assured that previously legally documented foreign
employees who were unable to apply for the renewal of their visas, will not be declared
illegal or prohibited persons.