Iran Streamlines Work Visa Process to Regulate Foreign Labor
In a significant move to formalize the presence of foreign workers, Iran’s Ministry of Labor has initiated a new plan for issuing work visas to foreign nationals. The policy is designed to regulate the employment of non-citizens, protect the rights of the domestic workforce, and ensure all labor activities are conducted within a clear legal framework.
A Legal Framework for Employment
According to Article 120 of the country’s Labor Law, foreign nationals cannot be employed in Iran unless they possess an entry visa with specific work rights and have obtained a work permit in accordance with relevant regulations and procedures.
The new work visa scheme, launched this autumn, is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Employers can now submit their requests to hire foreign labor through the dedicated “Foreign Nationals Employment System.”
Prioritizing Domestic Labor
A cornerstone of the new policy is the protection of Iranian workers. The regulations explicitly grant priority to domestic labor. Employers are only permitted to hire foreign nationals, primarily from Afghanistan, if no qualified Iranian candidates are available for the position.
Key Requirements for Employers
The General Department of Foreign Nationals’ Employment has outlined several mandatory requirements for employers seeking to hire foreign workers:
- Job Posting Mandate: The vacancy must first be officially registered on the Ministry of Labor’s job search portal (kar.gov.ir).
- Legal Commitment: Employers must provide a formal, notarized pledge, the template for which is available on the system.
- Designated Portal: All applications must be submitted exclusively through the “Work Visa” section of the system.
- Security Vetting: Requests for individuals with a criminal record or a history of illegal border crossing will not be processed.
- Voluntary Returnees: Applications for foreign nationals who have voluntarily left the country with their families are prioritized.
Temporary and Regulated Presence
Officials have clarified that the work visas are issued for a temporary period of nine months. After this term, the foreign national must leave the country. If their labor is still required, the employer must initiate a new application process. A fundamental condition for visa issuance is that the individual must possess a passport from their country of origin and have entered Iran through legal channels.
This systematic approach aims to create a balanced and regulated labor market, ensuring that the employment of foreign nationals complements rather than undermines the domestic workforce, all within the established legal and security parameters of the country.