Effective immediately, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has issued new guidelines for social security subscriptions and nationalization requirements that employers must follow in order to be issued initial or renewed work permits for their employees. The new guidelines require employers to submit a company stamped letter reflecting the names of all employees along with their salaries from 2022 and 2023, showing that their salaries increased year over year. Employers must also submit employment contracts signed by both the employer and employee by March 2023, which must be legalized by the legal department at the Social Security Directorate beforehand. Furthermore, employers must now ensure that the ratio of foreign workers in their company does not exceed 25% of their total employees. If all of these requirements are followed, a Social Security clearance letter will be issued to the employer, which must be included with each work permit application. As a result, employers are advised to register their employees with the Social Security Directorate as soon as possible and submit the employment agreements by the end of March 2023. Companies that do not meet the minimum nationalization ratio of 75% will need to start taking measures to reach it or sign a pledge letter stating the company will have the required ratio within two months. Otherwise, the Social Security Directorate will block services for the company.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.
Media mentions
Fragomen is featured in The Times as a key immigration adviser highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising demand for golden visas, especially among UK nationals seeking long-term, self-sponsored residency.
Video
Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s visitor visa rules and what travelers should know.
Blog post
Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev and Paralegal Emily Whalley discuss how upcoming UK visa changes will affect skilled worker dependants and reshape tech sector mobility.
Fragomen news
Partner Marius Tollenaere provides key insights on labour migration, procedures and employer obligations in the latest edition of "Einwanderungsrecht".
Blog post
Associate Matthew Smith discusses how professionals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts and performing arts can bypass the PERM process by leveraging Schedule A, Group II for a streamlined green card application.
Awards
Managing Partner of the United Kingdom Nadine Goldfoot is recognised as Legal 500's "Leading Partners."
Media mentions
Partner Dan Schwarz discusses how proactive immigration planning helps athletes, teams and universities navigate complex US policies.
Video
Learn how to claim Italian citizenship through ancestry. This complete guide covers eligibility requirements, benefits and the step-by-step application process.
Video
Senior Manager Corrine Tan and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Joycelyn Ang discuss Bangladesh’s work permit security clearance process.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper outlines how the proposed H-1B changes could affect Big Law hiring for foreign lawyers.
Fragomen news
Media mentions
Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.
Media mentions
Fragomen is featured in The Times as a key immigration adviser highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising demand for golden visas, especially among UK nationals seeking long-term, self-sponsored residency.
Video
Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s visitor visa rules and what travelers should know.
Blog post
Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev and Paralegal Emily Whalley discuss how upcoming UK visa changes will affect skilled worker dependants and reshape tech sector mobility.
Fragomen news
Partner Marius Tollenaere provides key insights on labour migration, procedures and employer obligations in the latest edition of "Einwanderungsrecht".
Blog post
Associate Matthew Smith discusses how professionals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts and performing arts can bypass the PERM process by leveraging Schedule A, Group II for a streamlined green card application.
Awards
Managing Partner of the United Kingdom Nadine Goldfoot is recognised as Legal 500's "Leading Partners."
Media mentions
Partner Dan Schwarz discusses how proactive immigration planning helps athletes, teams and universities navigate complex US policies.
Video
Learn how to claim Italian citizenship through ancestry. This complete guide covers eligibility requirements, benefits and the step-by-step application process.
Video
Senior Manager Corrine Tan and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Joycelyn Ang discuss Bangladesh’s work permit security clearance process.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper outlines how the proposed H-1B changes could affect Big Law hiring for foreign lawyers.
Fragomen news