Doing Business in Iran (Dayarayan) - Pars Times

Iranian Labor Law and Employment of Foreign Citizens
Employment of foreign nationals in Iran is only possible within the
framework of the provisions stipulated in the Labour Law of the Islamic
Republic of Iran. The general policy of the country is aimed at meeting its
Labour requirements and implementing its industrial and development
projects through Iranian manpower as much as possible. However,
employment of foreign manpower when there is an immediate need for
their expertise is not ruled out.
According to Article 120 of the Labour Law, approved on November 20,
1990, foreign nationals are not allowed to work in Iran unless they are
provided with an entry visa with the right to engage in specific work, and
secondly, they receive work permit according to relevant laws and by-laws.
Obviously, foreign nationals who are exclusively on diplomatic and
consular missions, as well as the staff and experts of the United Nations
and its affiliated organizations, correspondents of foreign news agencies
and press, are exempted from such regulations on the condition of
reciprocity.
Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs shall approve the issue of a visa for a
specific type of occupation for foreign nationals and work permit for them
while taking certain conditions into consideration:
Work permits would be issued, extended or renewed for a period of one
year.
When the interests of the industries of the country necessitate the
immediate employment of a foreign national, the minister of the relevant
ministry may report the case to the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs
and upon the approval of the latter, a temporary work permit shall be issued
for the foreign national without observing the relevant formalities for the
issuance of a visa with right to engage in specific work. The temporary
work permit would be valid for a maximum period of three months and its
extension would be subject to the approval of the technical board in charge
of the occupation of foreign nationals.
Prior to the conclusion of any contract through which foreign experts
would b employed, employers are bound to inquire about the views of the
Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs on the possibility for the said foreign
nationals.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is authorized to take measures
for the nullification of the work permit for those foreign nationals who do
not observe Islamic principles, current laws and regulations of the country
and humanitarian relations, as declared by the competent authorities.
Employers who hire foreign nationals whose work permits have been
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