Qatar had earlier announced it would open offices around the world to make it easier for expatriate workers to complete visa-related formalities in their home countries itself.

The move, which was widely hailed at the time, has now moved one step forward. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has announced that the first-of-its-kind Qatar Visa Service Centre will open its doors in Sri Lanka on October 12, reported Gulf Times.

As first Qatar Visa Service Centre outside #Qatar is going to be opened in #SriLanka, a seminar is being held now by Visa Support Services Dept. for Sri Lankan expatriates to explain them about the project. #MoIQatar

— Ministry of Interior (@MOI_QatarEn) September 27, 2018

Major Abdullah Khalifa Al Mohannadi, Director of Visa Support Services Department at the MoI, held a seminar for members of the Sri Lankan community in Doha to explain more about the landmark initiative.

As per the new initiative, work visa processes such as medical check up, fingerprinting and biometric data processing, and work contract signing will be completed at the home country of the expatriate. First such centre will open in #SriLanka on 12 October 2018. #MoIQatar pic.twitter.com/E3mc2gzo9Y

— Ministry of Interior (@MOI_QatarEn) September 27, 2018

He said procedures like fingerprinting, biometric data processing, medical examination and signing of work contracts would all be done in home countries of expatriate workers before they arrive in Qatar, reported Qatar Tribune. 

Maj. Abdullah Khallifa Al-Muhannadi, Director of Visa Support Services Dept. explained the features and processes of the new workers recruitment system as it’s going to be implemented in 8 countries in first phase starting with #SriLanka on 12 Oct. #MoIQatar pic.twitter.com/E5sgkuR5FA

— Ministry of Interior (@MOI_QatarEn) September 27, 2018

Starting with Sri Lanka, the initiative will be launched in a total of eight countries in the first phase. The other nations included in the first phase are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Tunisia, the Philippines and Indonesia.

The presentation shed light on the various stages of the recruitment process and its benefits for both employers and workers. He said it would help save time and effort and protect the rights of everyone involved.