Iran Implements New Framework for Regulated Foreign Labor Return
In a strategic move to organize and manage the presence of foreign nationals, Iran has rolled out a new national plan for the current year. The initiative is designed to bring order to the entry and activities of foreign citizens, aiming to prevent negative impacts on the domestic labor market and business environment.
A Legal Pathway for Employment
According to Article 120 of the Labor Law, foreign nationals are permitted to work in Iran only if they possess an entry visa with work rights and have obtained a work permit in accordance with all relevant laws and regulations. This legal framework ensures that all employment is conducted within an official and transparent system.
Focus on Afghan Nationals and a Priority for Iranian Labor
A key component of this plan, launched in the autumn, is a new work visa scheme for Afghan nationals. The Ministries of Labor, Interior, and Foreign Affairs are collaborating on its implementation. Through this program, employers can formally request to hire foreign labor via a dedicated online portal for foreign national employment.
A central tenet of the policy is the prioritization of the domestic workforce. Employers are permitted to hire foreign nationals, particularly from Afghanistan, only after demonstrating that no suitable Iranian workers are available for the position.
The Application Process Explained
Ali Bagheri, Director General of Foreign Nationals’ Employment at the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, outlined the process. Legal and real-person employers can upload the required documents to the ministry’s online portal to register their request for foreign labor.
Under this scheme, foreign workers can enter the country temporarily with a residence permit valid for nine months. During this period, they will work formally with an official work card and insurance. Upon the permit’s expiration, individuals must return to their country of origin. If their employment is still required, employers can submit a new request for the following year.
Encouraging the Return of Skilled Labor
This new policy is strategically designed to address labor shortages in specific service sectors. It provides a lawful channel for the return of skilled and experienced workers who have developed their expertise in Iran over many years.
A fundamental condition for issuing a work visa is that the individual must possess a passport from their country of origin and have a record of legal entry into Iran. The process requires individuals to have previously exited the country legally, obtained a passport, and completed all the necessary visa issuance steps.
Visa Validity and Renewal Policy
The work visa is valid for nine months and is non-renewable within Iran. After this period, applicants must leave the country. This measure, along with the continued priority given to Iranian labor, is intended to prevent market monopolies and support healthy competition within the employment sector.
Strategic Objectives of the Plan
The overarching goal of this initiative is to bring transparency to the labor market and guarantee the regulated presence of foreign nationals. By issuing official work visas, authorities can accurately identify foreign employment across various economic sectors and preempt potential issues.
Beyond organizing the labor market, the plan also aims to prevent imbalances in supply and demand, thereby safeguarding the rights of skilled and trained Iranian workers.