By Hanthar Hein - May 03, 2025
The Ministry of Labour has announced via its social media page that OWIC (Overseas Worker Identification Card) applications with incomplete or missing documents will not be accepted for processing.
However, workers say there is no way for them to verify whether their applications have been accepted or not, leaving many in a state of anxiety.
“We have to send everything by post even though they said incomplete applications won’t be accepted. There’s no confirmation from the Ministry about whether the application was received or accepted for processing. We’re left worrying if our name doesn’t show up on the Safe Migration Telegram list. Some are submitting two or three times, unsure if more documents are needed,” said a returnee who applied for an OWIC card.
The affected applicants are primarily returnees who are reapplying or skilled workers planning to go abroad independently. Due to the lack of transparency in the acceptance process, many are uncertain about the status of their applications.
Although a large number of workers are applying for training and OWIC card processing to work abroad, the Ministry is currently issuing OWIC approvals only once a week, further compounding the delays.
“The Department said printing machines were being relocated, so they’re only issuing approvals once a week. So far, approvals have only been given up to April 29. No one has been processed for May. Agencies have sent in applications for around 10,000 workers waiting for OWIC cards. The number is even higher if we include returnees and skilled workers. But only around 100 are being processed weekly. The delays are significant,” said a representative from a licensed employment agency.
both workers planning to go abroad and the agencies supporting them are facing major disruptions and financial losses due to these prolonged delays. Agencies and applicants have submitted requests urging the Ministry of Labour to expedite the process.
The Ministry has posted the list of required documents for OWIC applications on its Safe Migration social media page.
