Search Results for: Qatar

June 5, 2017

Six Middle Eastern countries, including three Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) Member States, have severed their diplomatic ties with Qatar with immediate effect, citing Qatar’s alleged promotion of extremism and terrorism and a need to ‘preserve (their) national security’. The following countries have announced their withdrawal from diplomatic relations with Qatar: Saudi Arabia The United Arab […]

January 26, 2017

A new sponsorship law which came into effect at the end of last year (Law No 21 of 2015) will facilitate the changing of jobs and processing of residence permits for certain residents. Law No 1 of 2017 was issued?

December 16, 2016

Qatar has formally announced the end of its labour sponsorship system that requires foreign workers to seek their employer's permission to change jobs or leave the country. The Kafala system was introduced as a way to monitor foreign workers, with…

January 4, 2016

Qatar"s traffic department has issued a directive to end the conversion of expatriates from other GCC countries into Qatari driving licences. This privilege will now be available to GCC citizens only. Direct driving tests for holders of licences issued in…

December 23, 2015

New Immigration Laws in Qatar are being put forward in order to regulate the entry, exit and residency of expatriates in the region. Whilst there is no fixed implementation date for these policy changes as of yet, reports suggest that…

November 17, 2015

Qatar's Social Medical Insurance Scheme (Seha) provides mandatory health insurance coverage, through a network of public and private providers, and forms a key component in the realisation of the National Health Strategy and the overall Qatar National Vision 2030. Seha was…

November 12, 2015

Qatar has announced new proposals that have been introduced in an effort to improve workers conditions in the Middle Eastern state. Qatar currently employs a "Kafala" system, a system used in the construction and domestic sectors of Middle Eastern nations.…

September 25, 2015

On 18th August, The Qatar Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs introduced the Wage Protection System (WPS). This is thought to specifically protect those working in the Private Sector on 2022 World Cup-related projects. The WPS is an electronic system controlled…

July 23, 2015

With effect from 15th June 2015, the Qatari government has begun phasing in a new form of residence card to replace previous forms of ID card or passport label. Current holders of Residence Permits and ID cards will…

June 2, 2015

From May 2015, it should be noted that as per the new immigration regulation in Qatari Law, the following visas may not be converted in-country to Work Visas: Business Visa Arrival visa Tourist visa This will mean that employees and…