The Global Phoenix - Issue 3 August 2017 | Page 44

LEBANON
Bordering both Syria and Israel, Lebanon has a relatively
open free-market economy, with little restriction on
foreign investment. However, outside investment in the
country remains low, primarily due to the challenging
legal and regulatory environment. Much of the country’s
infrastructure was rebuilt after the end of the long civil
war in 1990, resulting in the Lebanese government
carrying one of the highest debt-to-GDP ratios in the
world. The economy remains primarily service-oriented
with little exports, and current business and employment
growth is low.
Lebanon’s immigration policy is
relatively open to foreign nationals,
with a system of business visas and
work permits, and UK citizens are
eligible for visas-on-arrival. Howev-
er, given the slow business growth
and service-oriented economy,
corporate immigration to Lebanon
is low. A typical work authorisation
process for foreign nationals gener-
ally takes 12 to 18 weeks.
TURKEY
Despite substantial ties to Europe
and a pending application to
join the European Union, Turkey
is still traditionally considered
part of the Middle East. A recent
uptick in terrorist violence and
a failed coup attempt in July
2016 have placed the country in
a State of Emergency under the
control of the President. A recent
trend of civil and economic
reforms has stalled, and the
ongoing negotiations with the
EU now appear unlikely to result
in Turkey’s entrance. However,
Turkey’s free-market economy
continues to be relatively
healthy and well diversified with
significant manufacturing and
exports.
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While the State of Emergency Act brought stricter security-ori-
ented requirements at various stages of the residence permit
process, immigration policy in Turkey is still relatively open and
has seen some positive improvements over the past year. The
average work permit process takes 8 to 16 weeks, depending
on the applicant’s nationality. A major new Law on Internation-
al Workforce was enacted in August of last year and brought
sweeping and predominantly positive changes to the rules
governing foreign nationals working in the country. In some of
the more significant provisions, the new law called for:
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New points-based system for evaluating work permit applica-
tions;
New Turquoise Cards for highly-qualified foreign nationals
which grants long-term residence rights and many privileges
like those enjoyed by Turkish citizens;
New independent work permits for highly-skilled foreign
nationals who may not have current full-time job offers from
Turkish companies but nevertheless may desire to work inde-
pendently for multiple companies;
General loosening of many of the traditional work and resi-
dence permit requirements and restrictions.