Leave to Remain for Labor from Abroad in Kurdistan Region

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The migrants who live in Kurdistan, were granted work permit, they would either apply to obtain a renewal residence card or a leave to remain.

In the regulations, article 172 that was issued by the Council of Ministers at the Kurdistan Region Government, authorized only 25% of the foreigners can get job opportunities. The cabinet focused rather on the local labor, i.e. 75% to be domestic labor.

Adding more strict rules on labor from abroad, reassured the Kurdistan Region's approach to ensuring that locals can get more access to job opportunities.

According to the Directorate of Erbil Residency, more than 700 migrant-workers’ applications are dealt with. The applications are either to extend their residence or to get leave to remain. Only in the first 6 months of 2024 more than 60000 workers from 88 countries around the world applied to obtain card residence or to renewing the residency card.

Fatima from Indonesia, who is a house keeper, and is in Kurdistan Region for 7 years, said to Kurdistan 24 “I have been working in Kurdistan Region, the job opportunity is better over here.” She applied to extending her residence in the region.

The Director of the Erbil Residency Kamil Mohammed stated in an interview on Monday “The procedure of granting residence status is according to the new rule (75% by 25%), and following the instructions from the Minister of Interior,”

“At the same time having too many requests, those are encouraged by countries to head to Kurdistan Region seeking job opportunities, but by law we provide it to our own people.” Mohammed emphasized.   

Due to the benefits rules (Social Security Fund), terms and conditions of Employer’s Sponsoring and the article 172 by the Council of Ministers of Kurdistan Region, the residence office revealed that more than 200 foreign labors get refusal decisions, they return to their home countries.