Immigration
Qatar | Update to the current local transfer of sponsorship process
Summary
The Ministry of Labour has introduced a new simplified process for employees to transfer sponsorship between employers in Qatar.
The Detail
As part of the Ministry of Labour’s ongoing efforts to enhance and streamline processes in Qatar, the Ministry has recently revised its procedures for the local transfer of sponsorship for residents moving between employers.
Previously, the transfer of sponsorship process required an application form signed by both the employer and employee, and the submission procedure could be completed by the employee. The employee would log in to the Ministry of Labour portal and request a transfer of sponsorship by uploading the requisite documents, including the signed application form. Additionally, the employment contract information was drafted at the final stages of the transfer approval process.
Under the new process, the transfer of sponsorship application form is no longer required if submitted via the new employer’s login on the Ministry of Labour portal. The employer can simply submit their request for the transfer via the portal. Furthermore, the employee’s details, including employment contract information, are now provided during the initial request submission stage, rather than at the final stages of approval as previously required.
Upon the employer submitting the request, the employee should then login to their National Authentication System “NAS” account via the Ministry system, review the salary details and approve the transfer conditions. NAS is used to authenticate the digital identity of individuals holding a residence permit, facilitating secure access to e-government services.
What this means
The new process is expected to accelerate and streamline the local transfer of sponsorship process, however employers could experience a delay during the initial implementation of this new process.
How we can help
We anticipate further amendments and digitisation of services to be introduced by the government to existing services which are linked to the overall Immigration process, and it is imperative to stay up to date on these developments. Our team will continue to closely monitor and provide timely guidance on any new updates announced by the government.
Contact us
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Anir Chatterji
EMEA Immigration Partner
Rekha Simpson
Director, Middle East Immigration
Marilyn Serrao
Senior Associate, Middle East Immigration
Further information on Vialto Partners can be found on our website: www.vialtopartners.com
For additional alerts, please visit www.vialtopartners.com/regional-alerts Contact us on the following address – me-immigration@vialto.com