Libya’s House of Representatives officially ratified on Monday a law addressing the prevention of foreign settlement within the country. This comprehensive legislation encompasses prison sentences and fiscal penalties and necessitates that every foreign resident must have a Libyan sponsor.
The law articulates that “a judge has the authority to deport any foreign individual who enters the country with the intention of settling. Furthermore, the legal representative of a corporate entity can also be expelled if they engage in any conduct deemed criminal by the provisions of this law,” as reported by Libya’s “Al-Wasat” portal.
Additionally, the law stipulates “a prison sentence, coupled with a fine not less than a thousand dinars, for anyone who enters Libya with the objective of settling, regardless of whether their visa is valid or not.”
The enacted legislation also sanctions “a prison term of no less than five years and a fine not exceeding 10,000 dinars for any individual, as well as the legal representative of a corporate entity, who harbors, employs, or facilitates the entry of a foreigner knowing their intent to settle in Libya without notifying the relevant authorities about their presence and the reason for their stay.”
Section four of the anti-foreign settlement law mandates “punitive actions against corporate entities by closing their premises and revoking their operating license in Libya, in addition to the confiscation of funds and assets related to the crime.”
Furthermore, section five emphasizes that “no individual or corporate entity is allowed to employ a foreigner without securing a work permit from the Ministry of Labor. Also, they cannot facilitate their stay, be it by providing housing or any residential venue, or leasing to them, especially if they are aware of the individual’s intention to settle. These entities must inform the relevant authorities once the foreigner’s employment tenure concludes.”
It’s worth noting that the anti-foreign settlement law in Libya was previously approved by the majority of the members of Libya’s House of Representatives during a session held on March 22 of this year.
