Iraq to Simplify Visa Procedures For Foreign Oil Workers
The Iraqi government has announced that it will simplify entry-visa and residency-permit procedures for foreign oil workers, following complaints that the current lengthy process deters investors.
An Iraqi government spokesman said that the Baghdad government has decided to grant foreign oil company workers in Iraq assistance in obtaining entry visas and residency permits, following many complaints of difficulties faced by employees and engineers in entering Iraq to work for oil companies.
Faisal Abdullah, the spokesman for energy affairs for Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Hussain al-Shahristani, told Al-Monitor that Shahristani held a meeting with the general director of the Department of Nationality in the Ministry of Interior and the general director of the Contracts Department in the Oil Ministry. During the meeting, the parties discussed facilitating the process of obtaining visas and residency permits for workers employed by foreign oil and power companies in Iraq.
Abdullah added that Shahristani’s office received many complaints regarding the delay in granting visas, thus obstructing the work of the companies.
Shahristani’s office oversees the ministries of oil and power, and is considered the main engineer of petroleum policies. Abdullah continued, “It takes foreign workers at least two months, sometimes three, to obtain a visa. We have received many complaints from foreign companies in this regard.”
