Introduction

Employment in Qatar is primary governed by Qatar Labor Law No. (14) of the year 2004 and a series of related Ministerial Resolutions. However corporate non corporate entities when dealing with employment in Qatar shall first consider the Sponsorship and Immigration Rules and Regulations which are mainly emphasized through the provisions of Law No. (4) of the year 2009 Regulating the Entry, Exit, Residence & Sponsorship of Foreigners (the “Sponsorship Law”) that has been ratified by the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and came into force on 29 April 2009.

Sponsorship/Exit Permit/Delivery of Passports

Sponsorship

With exception of some tourist visas which shall be only issued for tourism purposes, every non-GCC working foreigner wishing to enter/reside in Qatar shall have a sponsor in order to enter the country and work in Qatar. 

Exit Permit

Employees in Qatar (Excluding women sponsored by their husbands, minors and visitors whose visits do not exceed thirty days) cannot temporarily or permanently leave Qatar unless having first obtained an exit permit from their sponsoring employers.