Iran Issues Work Visas to Semi-Skilled, Unskilled Foreign Workers in 15 Provinces

DID Press: Deputy of Entrepreneurship Development and Employment at Iran’s Ministry of Labor announced that, from now on, foreign nationals can legally work only if no Iranian volunteer is available for the position and they obtain a work visa.

With the implementation of the new executive guidelines of the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, the process of issuing work visas has begun, for the first time, to semi-skilled and unskilled foreign workers in 15 non-restricted provinces of Iran starting from early (September–October).

According to the Ministry of Labor’s Public Relations office, Sayed Malek Hussaini, Deputy of Entrepreneurship Development and Employment, said that employers are allowed to hire foreign workers only if no Iranian applicant is available after registering the vacancy on the national employment platform.

He added that foreign workers, after receiving their work visa, will be issued an employment card and official insurance, and all their information will be recorded in the National Employment System.

Hussaini also referred to labor shortages in some sectors following the return of illegal foreign workers earlier this year: “In recent months, agriculture, livestock, construction, and poultry sectors have faced labor shortages. Therefore, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, an urgent legal workforce program has been implemented to prevent production interruptions in these sectors.”

According to him, implementing this guideline will not only organize the employment of foreign nationals but also reduce the activity of illegal workers and increase job security and workplace insurance coverage.

In this regard, Ali Rafiei, Head of Supervision over Public Places at Iran’s Intelligence Organization, emphasized: “Employing foreign nationals without a legal permit is considered a crime, and businesses violating this rule will face legal consequences.”

He reminded that businesses in need of foreign workers must obtain official permits only through the Foreign Employment Office.

It is worth noting that, according to the governor of Neyriz, this district remains a restricted area for foreign workers, and no new official announcement has yet been issued regarding changes.