Erbil suspends work permits for single Syrian nationals

ERBIL — The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of the Interior has halted the issuance of entry visas for single Syrians, aiming to bolster employment opportunities for local youth, the Erbil Residency Directorate announced.

This policy requires those with expired residencies to depart the region unless a registered company vouches for the necessity of their stay.

“The Ministry of the Interior in the Kurdistan Government has ceased granting entry visas to single Syrians to create job opportunities for the region’s youth,” Sheikh Kamal Mohammed, director of Erbil Residency, said in a statement to 964media. He clarified that the suspension applies to single Syrians of all ages, countering rumors that it was limited to those between 18 and 40 years old.

Under the new regulation, single Syrians currently in Kurdistan must leave upon their residency’s expiration. Entry visas will be issued to single Syrians only if they are employed by a company that can justify their need for the individual’s employment to the Ministry of the Interior.

Meanwhile, married Syrians and Syrian families continue to be eligible for entry visas to the Kurdistan Region. The Directorate is facilitating residency for these groups, offering options for either six months or one year, with the possibility for renewal.

Following the outbreak of the civil war in Syria, the Kurdistan Region emerged as a sanctuary for many Syrians seeking refuge and stability. Amidst the turmoil, the region not only offered safety but also economic opportunities, leading to a significant influx of Syrian refugees.

This migration proved to be a boon for local businesses that, at one point, faced challenges in hiring local staff due to the rapid economic expansion and a mismatch in labor expectations on working conditions or salary demands. Many Syrians work in unskilled or semi-skilled positions that have historically been harder to fill in a region dominated by public sector employment.

The Kurdistan Region’s long-running financial crisis has upended this balance somewhat in recent years.