Foreign worker permits just got more expensive in Cameroon: What employers need to know

In Cameroon, the employment of foreign workers is subject to a special procedure to obtain a work permit by way of authorization from the Minister in charge of Employment and Vocational Training ( “MINEFOP” ).

Starting in 2023, obtaining a work permit entails payment of an official administrative fee instituted by the 2023 Finance Law, which was not the case before. This fee applies to visas affixed on the employment contract of all natural persons of foreign nationality on Cameroonian territory, subject to international conventions.

The instituted fee is equivalent to a two ( 2 ) month wage and gross salary for non-African workers, and the equivalent to one ( 1 ) month wage and gross salary for African workers, with a 50% reduction.

To guarantee transparency, security, sincerity, and reliability in processing, collecting, and managing the above fee, MINEFOP on 6 January 2023 issued a circular letter clarifying the application modalities of the provisions of the 2023 Finance Law instituting the fee.

Here are some key things to note from the circular letter:

• an obligation to indicate in the employment contract, all premiums, allowances (including transport and accommodation), and other benefits in kind granted to the foreign worker in the exercise of his / her professional activity in Cameroon;
• in determining the cost of the visa,the gross salary includes all premiums, allowances, and other benefits in kind. The cost must be approved by the Director in charge of Labor at MINEFOP and signed by the Minister in a visa cost evaluation form;
• to pay the required fee, this is done at the Intermediary Revenue Agent at MINEFOP, and a receipt issued where the amount is less than or equal to four ( 4 ) million, and in account number: 12003 11003 15850500015-48 opened in the books of CAMPOST, where the amount is greater than four ( 4 ) million.

For more information please see  4M Legal and Tax