TCI Government formal announcement of stop on First Time work permits

#TurksandCaicos, April 27, 2021 – The Ministry of Education, Labour and Employment advises the general public that Cabinet at its meeting on the 14th April 2021 approved a one (1) year moratorium on ALL First Time Work Permit Applications for various categories, effective 1st May 2021 until further notice:

All areas of Construction

Real Estate Agents

Property Manager

All persons seeking to engage in rental of water sports equipment

All categories of Water Sports

Legal Professionals (Lawyers/Attorneys, Legal Executives and Paralegals

Entry Level Positions (Secretary, Receptionist and Data Entry Personnel)

Human Resource Managers

Assistant Human Resource Managers

Tour Boat Captain and Mate

All positions covered in schedule 6, 7 and 8 in the Immigration Regulations with exception of certain skilled positions (Airline & Helicopter Pilot, Helicopter & Airline Mechanic, Cigar Roller, Agricultural Assistant, Farmer and Farm Labourer)

Work permits issued in the following categories, shall be with stipulations, until further notice:

Boutique Receptionist

Villa Manager

Front Desk Agents

Concierge Agents

Restaurant Server

The moratorium also marks the beginning of the consultation period with stakeholders and will allow the Ministry to review the Skills Audit and Population Policy. Following the review and stakeholder meetings, the Ministry at the end of the first sixty (60) days will make recommendations to either lift the moratorium or extend it. The Ministry will continue to review and monitor the moratorium in sixty (60) day intervals as per cabinet recommendations. Cabinet has agreed that during this period, exemption for the various categories outlined above can be approved by the responsible Minister, who in this case is the Minister of Education, Labour and Employment.

Cabinet has also agreed that renewal work permits would only be considered for persons who have been fully vaccinated against the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

We hasten to add, that all First Time Work Permit Applications received at the Employment Services Department before 1st May 2021 will be reviewed for a final decision by both the Board and the Commissioner of Labour.

The Ministry wishes to inform the public that this measure, although temporary, is vital at this time, as it is necessary to take steps to ensure persons engaging in employment in the areas mentioned, are employed legally and not exploiting the current situation.

Persons are once again encouraged to register as unemployed with the Employment Services Department either through email at jobregistration@gov.tc; phone number (649) 348-9340 or (649) 348-2372; drop off at the Department in Grand Turk or Providenciales or at the District Commissioner’s Office in the Islands.

The Ministry thanks everyone in advance for your compliance and understanding with this measure.