Qatar Work Permit Guide for Employers 2026
Work permit: within 7 working days of arrival. Work permit authority: Ministry of Labour. QID authority: Ministry of Interior. Last reviewed: May 2026
Key Qatar labour reforms
- Kafala system abolished: No Objection Certificate (NOC) no longer required for employees to change employers, workers notify through Ministry of Labour’s electronic system
- Exit permits abolished for most private sector workers — employees can leave Qatar freely; only military and security personnel retain exit permit requirements
- Minimum wage introduced (effective March 2021): QAR 1,000 basic + QAR 500 accommodation + QAR 300 food = QAR 1,800 total if employer does not provide in kind
- Wage Protection System (WPS) mandatory — all salaries must be paid electronically; fines QAR 2,000–100,000 for violations
- Work permit fee confirmed under Labour Decision No. 32/2025 (Official Gazette 25 September 2025): QAR 100/year per worker
- Metrash app launched January 2025 replaces Metrash2 for QID renewals, residency services, and MOI processes
Qatar’s labour framework has undergone fundamental reform. The kafala (sponsorship) system has been dismantled, the No Objection Certificate is gone, exit permits are abolished for most workers, and employees can change employers at any time by notifying the Ministry of Labour.
For employers, the practical reality in 2026 is that work permit processes are streamlined and predominantly digital, fees are low (QAR 100/year per worker), and compliance is enforced primarily through the Wage Protection System. The work permit must be arranged within 7 working days of the employee’s arrival, this is the most time-critical compliance deadline.
Quick answer
Employer arranges employment visa (Ministry of Interior / Metrash) → employee arrives → medical examination at government-approved hospital → work permit filed with Ministry of Labour within 7 working days of arrival — fee QAR 100/year — → QID (Qatar ID) issued by Ministry of Interior via Metrash → employer registers on Wage Protection System (WPS). No NOC required for employer changes. Exit permits abolished. Minimum wage: QAR 1,800/month (QAR 1,000 basic + QAR 500 accommodation + QAR 300 food). Notice period for job change: 1 month (≤2 years) or 2 months (>2 years).
Ministry of Labour (MoL)
- Issues and renews work permits for private sector employees
- Processes employer change (sponsorship transfer) notifications
- Attests employment contracts (QAR 20 per contract)
- Enforces Wage Protection System (WPS)
- Receives worker complaints and dispute referrals
- Hotline: 16008
- Work permit annual fee: QAR 100 (Labour Decision No. 32/2025)
Ministry of Interior
- Issues Qatar ID (QID) — the physical card incorporating the residency permit
- Manages entry visas, visa status, and residency inquiries
- QID renewal: up to 3 months before expiry; 90-day grace period
- Metrash app (launched January 2025): QID services, residency renewal, payment
- Hukoomi portal (hukoomi.gov.qa): e-government services including residency
- Residency permit fee: QAR 500–1,500 depending on duration
Work permit and residency fees
QID (residency permit) fees managed through the Ministry of Interior range from approximately QAR 500 to QAR 1,500 depending on the permit duration. These fees are typically paid by the employer unless otherwise specified in the employment contract.
Workers recruited by their spouse or relatives: work permit fee is QAR 100 (reduced from previous QAR 500 under Labour Decision No. 32/2025).
| Service / Item | Fee | Details / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit — annual | QAR 100 | Per worker per year — Labour Decision No. 32/2025; unchanged from previous rate |
| Permit replacement | QAR 100 | Lost or damaged work permit — increased from QAR 50 |
| Contract attestation | QAR 20 | Employment contract attestation at Ministry of Labour |
| Employer change | QAR 60 | New employer authenticates newly signed contract — worker pays nothing |
Qatar’s minimum wage framework
Introduced under Law No. 17 of 2020 (effective March 2021) and extended to all categories, the minimum wage is non-discriminatory, it applies equally to all workers of all nationalities, including domestic workers. It was the first such universal minimum wage in the GCC region.
| Component | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Basic wage | QAR 1,000 | Per month minimum — all workers, all sectors |
| Accommodation allowance | QAR 500 | Per month — if employer does not provide housing in kind |
| Food allowance | QAR 300 | Per month — if employer does not provide meals in kind |
Total minimum: QAR 1,800/month where employer provides neither housing nor food. If the employer provides adequate accommodation and food, the QAR 1,000 basic wage is the floor. The Minimum Wage Committee periodically reviews the levels.
Wage Protection System (WPS) — the employer’s primary ongoing compliance obligation
All private sector employers in Qatar must pay wages electronically through the Wage Protection System. Salaries must be transferred to workers’ bank accounts on time, creating a verifiable electronic record of payment. Employers who fail to pay on time face fines ranging from QAR 2,000 to QAR 100,000 per offence, and repeat violators face blacklisting — suspension of new work permit approvals. WPS compliance is monitored and enforced by the Ministry of Labour. For EOR arrangements, WPS compliance is built into the payroll infrastructure from the first pay cycle.
The 7-working-day rule in Qatar
A work permit must be arranged within 7 working days of the employee’s arrival in Qatar. This means the work permit application process, including the mandatory medical examination at a government-approved hospital, must be initiated immediately after the employee enters the country.
Employers should book the medical appointment before the employee travels and prepare all documentation in advance so the application can be submitted within this tight window. Missing the 7-day deadline creates a compliance breach.
How to hire a foreign national in Qatar
Employer arranges employment entry visa via Ministry of Interior
The employer arranges the employment entry visa for the foreign worker through the Ministry of Interior’s electronic services, Metrash platform, or authorised service centres. The employee travels to Qatar on this employment entry visa. Nationals of approximately 95 countries are permitted visa on arrival at Qatar’s entry points; others must obtain visas through Qatari embassies or consulates. The employment visa is distinct from tourist or business visit visas.
Mandatory medical examination
As soon as the employee arrives in Qatar, the employer must arrange the mandatory medical examination at a government-approved hospital or medical centre. The medical certificate confirms the employee is free of contagious diseases and fit to work. The 7-working-day countdown for the work permit application begins on the day of arrival, the medical examination must be scheduled immediately. 7-working-day deadline from arrival, schedule medical appointment before employee travels.
Employer submits work permit application to Ministry of Labour
The employer submits the work permit application electronically through the Ministry of Labour portal (mol.gov.qa) with all required documents. The employment contract must be attested by the Ministry of Labour (QAR 20 fee). Work permit annual fee: QAR 100. The permit must be in the employer’s name as the registered sponsoring entity.
QID (Qatar ID) issued by Ministry of Interior via Metrash
After the work permit is approved, the employer logs into the Ministry of Interior’s Metrash platform (or the MOI portal) to request the Qatar ID for the worker. The Metrash app, launched in January 2025 (replacing the previous Metrash2), handles QID issuance, renewals, payment, and delivery arrangements. The QID is the employee’s primary identification document in Qatar, required for banking, healthcare, and all government services. Biometric data is collected at an MOI service centre or via appointment.
Register employee on Wage Protection System (WPS)
The employer ensures the employee is registered on the Wage Protection System before the first salary payment, enabling compliant electronic salary transfers. WPS compliance is mandatory from the first payroll cycle. Failure to pay through WPS on time results in fines and, for repeat violations, blacklisting, preventing new work permit applications.
| Step/Stage | Timeline | Details/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Employment visa | Before travel | Ministry of Interior / Metrash |
| Medical exam | Day 1–7 | Government-approved hospital — immediately after arrival |
| Work permit | Within 7 working days | Ministry of Labour — QAR 100/year |
| QID issued | Weeks after permit | Ministry of Interior — Metrash app |
| Total end-to-end | 4–8 weeks | Visa to QID in hand |
Changing employer in Qatar — no NOC required
One of the most significant changes in Qatar’s post-2020 labour reform framework is the elimination of the No Objection Certificate. Workers no longer need their current employer’s permission to change jobs. The process is now conducted through the Ministry of Labour’s electronic system.
- How a worker changes employer: The worker notifies the current employer through the Ministry of Labour’s electronic system, specifying the intended last day of work. The notice period is 1 month if employed for 2 years or less, and 2 months if employed for more than 2 years. The employer must continue paying wages during the notice period. The new employer pays QAR 60 to authenticate the newly signed employment contract. The administrative procedure is free of charge for the worker.
2. What the reform means for employers: Workers can leave at any time with appropriate notice — no employer approval is needed. This reduces an employer’s leverage over workers and requires employers to compete on salary, working conditions, and culture to retain staff. The sponsorship transfer between employers is handled electronically through the Ministry of Labour, with the new employer’s sponsorship activated once the notice period has been served.
Documents required for a Qatar work permit
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Completed work permit application form | Submitted electronically through the Ministry of Labour portal (mol.gov.qa) |
| Attested employment contract | Must be attested by the Ministry of Labour — QAR 20 attestation fee. Arabic version is the official version under Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. Must meet minimum wage requirements. |
| Medical certificate | From a government-approved hospital or medical centre in Qatar; confirms freedom from contagious diseases and fitness to work; must be obtained within 7 working days of arrival |
| Passport copy — employee | Copy of biographical pages; minimum 6 months validity from date of application |
| 2 passport-sized photographs | Recent; meeting Ministry of Labour specifications |
| Commercial registration of employer | Confirming the employer is a registered Qatari business entity in good standing |
| Employment visa / entry stamp | Copy of the employment entry visa with arrival stamp confirming the employee entered Qatar on the correct visa category |
| Educational certificates and qualifications | Relevant for certain professions and positions requiring degree-level qualification verification |
| Biometric fingerprint data | Collected at MOI service centre as part of QID registration after work permit approval |
Qatar work permit at a glance. 2026
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Work permit authority | Ministry of Labour — mol.gov.qa | Hotline: 16008 |
| Residency / QID authority | Ministry of Interior — moi.gov.qa | Metrash app (launched January 2025) |
| Governing labour law | Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 (as amended) |
| 7-day rule | Work permit must be arranged within 7 working days of employee’s arrival in Qatar |
| Work permit fee — annual | QAR 100 per worker per year (confirmed Official Gazette, Labour Decision No. 32/2025) |
| Contract attestation fee | QAR 20 per contract (Ministry of Labour) |
| Employer change fee | QAR 60 (paid by new employer to authenticate contract); free for worker |
| NOC requirement | Abolished — workers can change employers without employer approval |
| Exit permit requirement | Abolished for most private sector workers; only military/security retain requirement |
| Notice period — job change | 1 month (employed ≤2 years) | 2 months (employed >2 years) |
| Minimum wage — basic | QAR 1,000/month (all workers, all sectors, all nationalities) |
| Minimum accommodation allowance | QAR 500/month (if not provided in kind by employer) |
| Minimum food allowance | QAR 300/month (if not provided in kind by employer) |
| Wage Protection System (WPS) | Mandatory — electronic salary payment; fines QAR 2,000–100,000 for non-compliance |
| QID renewal window | Up to 3 months before expiry; 90-day grace period after expiry |
| Qatar Visa Centres (QVC) | Qatar is launching 20 QVCs globally to streamline worker recruitment from source countries |
Official government resources in Qatar
Issues work permits, attests employment contracts, enforces WPS, and manages employer change notifications. Work permit services: mol.gov.qa/En/services
2. Ministry of Interior Qatar | Metrash app
Issues Qatar ID (QID) and manages residency permits. Metrash app (launched January 2025, available iOS and Android) handles QID renewals, residency services, and payments.
3. Hukoomi — Qatar e-government portalwww.hukoomi.gov.qa
Central hub for all Qatar government services including residency inquiries, visa status checks, and employment services. Available as an app on iOS and Android.
4. Qatar Labour Reform — Government Communications Officegco.gov.qa — Labour Reform
Official Qatar Government Communications Office page detailing the kafala reform, NOC abolition, exit permit removal, minimum wage, WPS, Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund, and ongoing reform initiatives.
5. Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 — Ministry of Labourmol.gov.qa/en/ministry/Pages/Laws.aspx
The primary legislation governing employment in Qatar’s private sector. Covers contracts, wages, working hours, leave, termination, and employer obligations. Available in English from the Ministry of Labour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is held liable if the Wage Protection System fails because of a banking technicality?
Under the Employer of Record model, the EOR, for example Acumen International, holds the primary legal responsibility as the registered sponsoring entity. Even if a payment failure is caused by a banking or technical issue, the Ministry of Labour holds the sponsor accountable for WPS compliance.
Using an EOR helps protect the client company from direct exposure to WPS-related penalties, including fines ranging from QAR 2,000 to QAR 100,000 and the risk of being blacklisted, which can prevent a company from issuing new work permits or renewing existing ones.
How does the 7-working-day rule affect the physical start of work?
The employee should not start work until the work permit application has been filed. The 7-working-day period is not a grace period for working. It is the deadline for moving the individual from entrant status into the formal worker registration process.
If an inspection takes place before the medical examination is booked or the Ministry of Labour application is initiated, the employer may face immediate compliance penalties.
Can an employer recover recruitment or work permit fees if an employee leaves during the notice period?
No. Under Qatar’s labour reforms, employers cannot charge workers for recruitment costs, work permit fees or QID processing costs. This applies even if the employee uses their right to change employers without a No Objection Certificate.
The original employer cannot lawfully deduct these sponsorship or processing costs from the employee’s final salary, settlement payment or end-of-service gratuity.
Does the abolition of the No Objection Certificate mean the employer has no control over the notice period?
No. The employer cannot block the transfer solely by refusing a No Objection Certificate, but the employee must still comply with statutory notice requirements.
The notice period is generally one or two months, depending on the employee’s length of service, and the process is handled through the Ministry of Labour’s electronic system. If the employee leaves without serving the required notice, the new employer may be required to compensate the original employer for the worker’s basic salary during the notice period.
What is the practical difference between the work permit and the QID in 2026?
The work permit, issued through the Ministry of Labour process, is the legal authorisation for the employee to work for a specific sponsoring entity.
The Qatar ID, or QID, is the employee’s legal residency identification issued through the Ministry of Interior system. The employee cannot hold a valid QID for employment purposes without the underlying work permit. In 2026, the QID is managed digitally through the Metrash app and is used for domestic services such as banking, healthcare and identity checks, while the work permit remains the core compliance document for labour inspections.
Hiring foreign nationals in Qatar?
Acumen International’s Global EOR solution gives your business a compliant route to employing workers in Qatar, managing work permits and visa, Ministry of Labour applications, QID via Metrash, Wage Protection System payroll, minimum wage compliance, and employment contracts attested in Arabic as required by Qatar Labour Law.
Important: Acumen International operates as a Global Employer of Record and supports businesses deploying their own expatriate employees in Qatar. Our involvement flows from our role as the registered Qatari employing entity — specifically, work permit applications to the Ministry of Labour, QID management through the Ministry of Interior, and employment compliance under Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. We do not provide standalone immigration legal advice and do not assist individuals seeking employment in Qatar independently.