Important Updates
Important Updates
September 12, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: October 2025 Visa Bulletin – Moderate Movement in Final Action Dates Across Most Employment-Based Categories for the Start of the Fiscal Year
September 12, 2025 | IndiaIndia: “Fast Track” Trusted Traveler Program Implemented
September 12, 2025 | Netherlands, Germany, United StatesLabor Law Magazine: Travel Under Trump
September 12, 2025 | MauritiusMauritius: New Conditions for Occupation Permit, Young Professional Permit and Permanent Residency Applications
September 12, 2025 | United KingdomThe Caterer: Hospitality Employers See Visa Licences Revoked in Government Crackdown
September 12, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: October 2025 Visa Bulletin – Moderate Movement in Final Action Dates Across Most Employment-Based Categories for the Start of the Fiscal Year
September 12, 2025 | IndiaIndia: “Fast Track” Trusted Traveler Program Implemented
September 12, 2025 | Netherlands, Germany, United StatesLabor Law Magazine: Travel Under Trump
September 12, 2025 | MauritiusMauritius: New Conditions for Occupation Permit, Young Professional Permit and Permanent Residency Applications
September 12, 2025 | United KingdomThe Caterer: Hospitality Employers See Visa Licences Revoked in Government Crackdown
September 12, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: October 2025 Visa Bulletin – Moderate Movement in Final Action Dates Across Most Employment-Based Categories for the Start of the Fiscal Year
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

Oil and Gas Sector Employment Visa Process to be Streamlined; Approval Delays in Short Term

November 6, 2019

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • IraqIraq

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a Glance

  • Employers in the oil and gas sector in Iraq must now obtain employment visas directly from the Ministry of Interior, limiting the involvement of the Ministry of Oil (MOI) and the respective company that holds a contract for work with the government.
  • Under the new rule, the MOI will issue all Letters of Invitations (LOI) and foreign nationals will obtain their multiple-entry visa stickers through a consular post abroad or upon arrival in Iraq, depending on their nationality and individual eligibility factors.
  • Although the process change will likely reduce processing fees and times, currently, due to a lack of clarity in the new regulation, adjudicating agencies are holding employment visa applications which is causing delays in approvals.

The situation

The Ministry of Interior (MOI) in Iraq announced that effective immediately, employers in the oil and gas sector must obtain initial and renewal employment visas directly from the MOI, limiting the involvement of the Ministry of Oil and the respective company that holds a contract for work with the government (FOD).

A closer look

Details of the new rule are as follows:

  • New employment visa processes. Under the new rule, the MOI will issue all Letters of Invitation and foreign nationals will obtain their multiple-entry visa stickers through a consular post abroad or upon arrival in Iraq, depending on their nationality and individual eligibility.
  • Previous rule. The FOD held an integral role in the employment visa issuance process as contractors and company representatives operating in the oil and gas industry were not allowed to work directly with the MOI; instead they could only interface with FODs for inquiries and follow ups on any immigration-related matters. 

 

​Impact

  • Reduced fees. The limited involvement of FODs and the MOI is expected to reduce the government fees employers must pay for employment visas in Iraq.
  • Shorter processing times. The new rule is expected to significantly reduce processing times for employment visas, allowing foreign nationals to commence work more quickly.
  • Adjudication delays. Due to a lack of clarity in the regulations and coordination issues between government agencies, adjudicating agencies are holding applications and delaying approvals, which may cause delayed start dates for some foreign nationals until these issues are resolved.

 

Looking ahead

As some details of the new regulations have not yet been released, the exact impact on processing times and document requirements are not yet clear. Fragomen will provide updates on the regulation as they become available.

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].

Country / Territory

  • IraqIraq

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Labor Law Magazine: Travel Under Trump

Senior Associate Oliver L. Ashworth and Director David Iannella discuss recent US immigration and visa changes and what German businesses and travelers should know.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Caterer: Hospitality Employers See Visa Licences Revoked in Government Crackdown

Senior Manager Louise Senior highlights how UK hospitality employers face heightened risk as visa sponsors and why it is important for them to understand their responsibilities to avoid penalties.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Brings Its Short-Term Business Travel Solution, Nomadic, to the Nordics

Fragomen announces the expansion of Nomadic to the Nordics, providing end-to-end support for short-term business travel and cross-border compliance.

Learn more

Blog post

Costa Rica Investment Residency Explained: Requirements and Options

Immigration Supervisor Michael Salas Guzman discusses Costa Rica investment residency options and requirements for foreign investors, retirees and rentiers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gulf Business: Why Immigration Due Diligence is as Critical as Financial Scrutiny in the GCC

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses why immigration due diligence is important in GCC mergers.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Welcomes Partner Karolina Schiffter to Poland Practice, Adds to Poland Presence with New Offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk

Fragomen announces the opening of new offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk, welcoming Partner Karolina Schiffter to its Poland practice.

Learn more

Blog post

How to Get Luxembourg Citizenship: Requirements, Benefits & Application Process

This blog post by Manager Virginie Todesco and Immigration Consultant Chiara Caredda, available in English and Portuguese, outlines the requirements, benefits and application process for obtaining Luxembourg citizenship.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan Named 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs Winners

Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan were recognized at the 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Archana Iyer Wins "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards

Partner Archana Iyer won the "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: A War on Fraud: USCIS to Train Special Armed Agents with Powers to Arrest Applicants and Lawyers

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses how USCIS’s new rule could potentially increase enforcement and affect how applicants interact with the US immigration system.

Learn more

Blog post

Red Carpet or Red Tape? Indonesia’s Immigration Strategy After the Election

Assistant Business Immigration Manager Raga Rasuanta discusses Indonesia’s post-election immigration strategy and its shift toward balancing openness to global talent with increased regulatory scrutiny.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年8月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Labor Law Magazine: Travel Under Trump

Senior Associate Oliver L. Ashworth and Director David Iannella discuss recent US immigration and visa changes and what German businesses and travelers should know.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Caterer: Hospitality Employers See Visa Licences Revoked in Government Crackdown

Senior Manager Louise Senior highlights how UK hospitality employers face heightened risk as visa sponsors and why it is important for them to understand their responsibilities to avoid penalties.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Brings Its Short-Term Business Travel Solution, Nomadic, to the Nordics

Fragomen announces the expansion of Nomadic to the Nordics, providing end-to-end support for short-term business travel and cross-border compliance.

Learn more

Blog post

Costa Rica Investment Residency Explained: Requirements and Options

Immigration Supervisor Michael Salas Guzman discusses Costa Rica investment residency options and requirements for foreign investors, retirees and rentiers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gulf Business: Why Immigration Due Diligence is as Critical as Financial Scrutiny in the GCC

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses why immigration due diligence is important in GCC mergers.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Welcomes Partner Karolina Schiffter to Poland Practice, Adds to Poland Presence with New Offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk

Fragomen announces the opening of new offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk, welcoming Partner Karolina Schiffter to its Poland practice.

Learn more

Blog post

How to Get Luxembourg Citizenship: Requirements, Benefits & Application Process

This blog post by Manager Virginie Todesco and Immigration Consultant Chiara Caredda, available in English and Portuguese, outlines the requirements, benefits and application process for obtaining Luxembourg citizenship.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan Named 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs Winners

Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan were recognized at the 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Archana Iyer Wins "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards

Partner Archana Iyer won the "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: A War on Fraud: USCIS to Train Special Armed Agents with Powers to Arrest Applicants and Lawyers

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses how USCIS’s new rule could potentially increase enforcement and affect how applicants interact with the US immigration system.

Learn more

Blog post

Red Carpet or Red Tape? Indonesia’s Immigration Strategy After the Election

Assistant Business Immigration Manager Raga Rasuanta discusses Indonesia’s post-election immigration strategy and its shift toward balancing openness to global talent with increased regulatory scrutiny.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年8月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.