South Sudan will charge foreign workers who are doing business in South Sudan between $ 500 and $4,000 as the country struggles to tackle an economic crisis. The new levy announced by the finance ministry comes six months after government rescinded the decision to ask foreigners to pay $10,000 for work permits.
A statement from the ministry of finance reads “outstanding payments with the old rate are to be cleared with the Central Bank and the ministry with immediate effect. Failure to do so will result in charges with new rate. Work permit forms that were taken earlier and submitted after 22nd October, will be charged with the new rates.”
The ministry warns any defaulters that they could face grave repercussions.
The new fees take effect from November. Unskilled workers shall pay $500, skilled workers $1,000, technicians $2,000,professionals $3,000 and consultants and managers $4,000. The work permits shall run for one year.
South Sudan is struggling to raise non-oil revenues to deal with an economic crisis that has almost paralyzed the whole countries. Taxes and permit fees are an area that the government is looking at to raise more revenue.
