The new residency law in Qatar came into effect last December and there has been a lot of discussions about it ever since. Every day, new information about the law comes to light.

The Peninsula newspaper printed a list of clarifications made by the Ministry of Interior. We break it down here for you.

Working for ‘Employer B’ while working with ‘Employer A’

An employer can grant a written permission to his employees to work with another employer for a period of up to six months, renewable for a similar period.

The expat must not violate terms and the purpose for which he/she has been granted the residency permit and should not work with another employer without permission of his original employer.

Part time jobs

Employees can take up part time job with another employer, provided they have a written approval from his/her original employer.

Re-entering country after absence of more than six months

Expatriates staying out of Qatar for more than six months can re-enter the country with a ‘return visa,’ within a year, if they hold a Qatari residency permit (RP) and after paying the fine.

Residency permits for children and parents

Expatriates holding Qatari RP have the right to get residency permit for their sons pursuing education until the age of 25 years, daughters who are unmarried and parents if there are genuine reasons.

A newborn baby can get residency permit within 90 days from the date of birth or the date of entering the country, if the parents hold a valid Qatari RP.

Mandatory medical checkup for visit visa holders

Anyone who enters Qatar on a visit visa or for other purposes are not required to undergo mandatory medical checkup if they stay for a period not more than 30 days. Foreigners are not allowed to stay in the country after expiry of their visa if not renewed.

Changing jobs before end of contract period

An expatriate worker can change his/her job before the end of the work contract with or without the consent of the employer, if the contract period ended or after five years if the contract is open ended. With approval from the competent authority, the worker also can change his job if the employer died or the company folded for any reason.

Residency Permit processing

The employer must process the RP of his employees within 90 days from the date of his entry to the country. Similarly, an expat must leave Qatar within 90 days of his visa expiry.

The employer must return the travel document (passport) to the employee after finishing the RP formalities unless the employee makes a written request to keep it with the employer.

Cancellation of Residence Permit

The employer must report to the authorities concerned within 24 hours if the worker left his job, refused to leave the country after cancellation of his RP, passed three months since its expiry or his visit visa ended.

If the visa or residency permit becomes invalid the expat needs to leave the country within 90 days from the date of its expiry.