4.3. Hiring Local vs. Expatriate Employees

Foreign enterprises can hire expatriates for technical, executive, and specialized roles, subject to strict ratios. Under IBA regulations, companies must maintain a standard ratio of 1:20 (one expat for every twenty local workers) in industrial undertakings, and 1:5 in commercial or service establishments. The new Visa Policy 2026 enforces much stricter, compounding daily monetary penalties for expatriates who overstay their authorized visas, making continuous visa tracking and compliance essential for corporate HR divisions.