Immigration
Qatar | Update to the Residence Permit procedures
Summary
The Ministry of Interior has announced that employers and employees in Qatar are required to complete the Residence Permit procedure within 30 days of arrival to the country.
The detail
Earlier in February the Ministry of Interior announced the importance of the employer and employee to complete the Residence Permit procedures within 30 days of entering the country, in accordance with the law. Failure to do so may lead to a fine of QAR 10,000 (approx. USD 2,740). This new directive applies to both mainland Qatar as well as freezones.Previously, the legal period to complete a Residence Permit was 90 days from the employee date of arrival to the country.
The Residence Permit procedures include medical and biometrics tests scheduling and clearance, as well as the local employment contract legalisation for mainland entities. Applicants will be reminded that once they enter Qatar on Work Visa travel outside Qatar is not permitted until the issuance of their Residence Permit.
What this means
It is important for employers and employees to ensure that the necessary documentation including legalisations, are acquired prior to the employee entering the country, to ensure completion of the Residence Permit issuance to avoid fines. Prior planning is crucial, to ensure a smooth process with respect to post-arrival formalities.
How we can help
Our team of Immigration experts are familiar with all jurisdictions in Qatar and have in depth knowledge of the Immigration rules and regulations. We provide a consultative approach on new hiring procedures, to ensure Immigration compliance is met.
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
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Contact us on the following address – me-immigration@vialto.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.
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Further information on Vialto Partners can be found here: 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.
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