Foreign worker estimates due May 1

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Employers in Azerbaijan have until May 1 to submit estimates on how many foreign workers they plan to hire in 2018.

What does the change mean? There is no guarantee that work-permit applications will be approved for companies that submit their foreign worker estimates, nor is there a guarantee that they will be rejected for companies that fail to do so. That said, the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan (SMS) has urged companies to provide a foreign worker estimate by the May 1 deadline. Companies that have not already done so should prepare an estimate as soon as possible.

• Implementation time frame: May 1.
• Visas/permits affected: Work permits.
• Who is affected: Companies employing foreign nationals in Azerbaijan, regardless of the foreign workers’ qualifications, nationalities or the sectors in which they work. Directors and deputy directors of foreign companies are exempt from work-permit and quota requirements.
• Business impact: Businesses should note that SMS has stressed the importance of submitting a foreign worker estimate by May 1 this year.

Background: Authorities have asked for foreign worker projections since 2009. While there is currently no express requirement that employers submit foreign worker estimates in order to have work permits approved, companies are urged to do so based on recent statements from SMS and in order to avoid complications in obtaining work permits later in the year.

BAL Analysis: Employers who need help in preparing foreign employee estimates should contact BAL as soon as possible.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Azerbaijan. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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