Qatar | Immigration | Healthcare Insurance now Mandatory for Multiple Entry Visa Holders

8 September 2023

Qatar Immigration | Healthcare Insurance now Mandatory for Multiple Entry Visa Holders

Summary

The Qatari government has announced that, effective immediately, a healthcare insurance policy inline with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) is now mandatory for all foreign employees to be issued a multiple-entry work visa.

The Detail

Foreign nationals may either buy the policy before the visa has been issued or at the time of approval. The policy should have a validity matching the expiration date of the work visa.

In case a holder of a multiple-entry work visa is already in the country and is not in possession of a healthcare insurance policy yet, it is advisable to obtain one – at least before passing one of the main ports to avoid issues/delays leaving or entering the country.

Employers will need to purchase a health insurance policy for their employees who will be traveling to Qatar on a multiple-entry work visa. Moreover, fines will be imposed on employers who fail to provide health insurance to their employees. On the MoPH-website a list of pre-approved healthcare insurance providers has been published.

What this means

It is expected that visa issuance may be delayed as the purchase of the – now mandatory – healthcare insurance policy must be communicated by MoPH to the Ministry of Interior first, only after receipt and having completed the further process, the Ministry of Interior can issue a work visa.

Employers should be aware of this extra step to be completed in the process to avoid unnecessary delays and have their staff start working at the earliest possibility. Non-compliance may be costly both in terms of time as well as financially.

How we can help

At Vialto Partners we have the in-house expertise you need to stay abreast of Immigration changes as well as assess applicability of new rules and the impact of those changes. We can assist you/your company with the completion of immigration and work permit processes in Qatar from end-to-end. In addition to advising on entry requirements to Qatar – if you would like to discuss how we can assist with your (business) traveler population or any other immigration related topic, please contact us as per our details below.

Contact us Should you have further questions on this update, please reach out to: Anir Chatterji – Middle East Immigration Leader: anir.chatterji@vialto.com Rekha Simpson – Director, Middle East Immigration: rekha.simpson@vialto.com Rens Jongerius – Manager, Middle East Immigration: rens.jongerius@vialto.com Marilyn Serrao – Senior Associate, Middle East Immigration: marilyn.serrao@vialto.com Further information on Vialto Partners can be found on our website: www.vialtopartners.com Vialto Partners (“Vialto”) refers to wholly owned subsidiaries of CD&R Galaxy UK OpCo Limited as well as the other members of the Vialto Partners global network. The information contained in this document is for general guidance on matters of interest only. Vialto is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will Vialto, its related entities, or the agents or employees thereof be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in this document or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. © 2023 Vialto Partners. All Rights Reserved.