Palau work permit visa

The Division of Immigration issues a work permit to foreign nationals who have already received a permit from the Bureau of Labor and Human Resources allowing them to work in Palau. The term matches that of the labor permit. If the Bureau of Labor issues only a provisional labor permit, Immigration may grant a temporary visa for the duration of that provisional permit.

The Division of Immigration refers applicants to the Bureau of Labor and Human Resources for labor requirements, duration and fees. For immigration processing, applicants for long-stay visas generally provide a police clearance from Palau's Bureau of Public Safety and from their place of residence, a sworn statement that they have never been convicted of a felony, proof of financial responsibility, a medical report on communicable diseases, a statement of purpose and two recent photographs.

Long-stay visas are not available on arrival. Applications go to the Division of Immigration on the second floor of the Ministry of Justice building in downtown Koror (8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday) or by email to immigration@bcbp.pw. Since January 2017 every listed document must be attached, incomplete files are not accepted, and a complete application needs about ten working days; the page gives 5 to 10 working days in general. Applicants should check that the receiving officer fills in the received box on the first page of the form.

Apply to renew at the Division of Immigration at least seven days before the current visa or work permit expires. A visitor who wants to change status to work must first hold a labor permit; the extension form also asks applicants already applying for work for the date their employment application went to Labor and the change-of-status receipt number.

The Director may revoke any visa whose holder no longer meets the requirements of the class, under 13 PNC section 1006. Holders of Palau's elite resident visa and their dependants are not eligible for a labor permit under Title 30 of the Palau National Code.

The spouse and children under 21 of a foreign national holding a valid work permit can apply for a dependent visa, valid up to five years but never beyond the worker's permit. Palau does not recognise common-law partners or fiancés. The dependent visa criteria include legal marriage, the children's birth certificates and a minimum fixed annual salary of 15,000 US dollars, which may be the combined salary of both spouses. On the form the dependency is specified as employment, and the file includes the worker's permit copy, a notarised affidavit of support, the W-2 wage and tax statement, a notarised consent letter and a release letter from the employer.

Holders of any visa may work or do business only in line with Palau's labor, foreign investment and tax laws and the purpose for which the visa was granted. Student, temporary and tourist visa holders may not work unless the Director exempts them in writing.