Updates on residency card issuance for foreign nationals

The General Directorate of Citizenship and Residency recently introduced several changes regarding the transfer of residency sponsorship and issuance of residency cards for foreign nationals in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

What are the key updates? 

• Foreign nationals, regardless of their job titles, can now change employers without cancelling their current residency card or leaving the country. They can submit their transfer of sponsorship applications to the Ministry of Interior while still inside Kurdistan.
• Employers must register themselves and their employees with the Social Security Directorate and pay any outstanding fines before new residency cards can be issued.
• Foreign nationals must personally visit the General Directorates of Citizenship and Residency to receive new or renewed residency cards. Third parties with power of attorney are no longer allowed to collect or arrange collection on behalf of foreign nationals.

Deloitte’s view

These updates introduced by the General Directorate of Citizenship and Residency are a positive development as they streamline the process of residency sponsorship transfer for foreign nationals without having to leave the country.  

However, employers must comply with the Social Security Directorate registration requirements to avoid being issued fines that could prevent the issuance of additional residency cards. 

Additionally, foreign nationals should plan to personally visit the General Directorates of Citizenship and Residency to receive their new or renewed residency cards.