Travel bans and exit rules in Qatar

Why a travel ban is issued

• Court travel ban orders. Qatar's Supreme Judiciary Council issues travel ban order circulars, which Gulf Times reported in March 2022 can be checked online before leaving the country.⁶
• Debts, on a creditor's request to a judge. Alhababi Law Firm writes that under Article 405 of the Civil and Commercial Procedures Law (Law No. 13 of 1990) a creditor can ask the judge to ban a debtor from travelling where serious reasons suggest the debtor will flee, and must prove those reasons with documents. It says Article 407 allows the authorities to end a non-Qatari debtor's residence or deport him if the public interest requires.⁹
• Absconding and permit expiry penalties. Human Rights Watch said in September 2020 that leaving an employer without permission, or staying after a permit expires or is revoked, can still lead to fines, detention, deportation and re-entry bans.⁵

How to check for a ban

1. Metrash (Ministry of Interior app), travel ban circularsGulf Times and Doha News reported in March 2022 that the Supreme Judiciary Council said citizens and residents can review travel ban circulars on Metrash before leaving, and Doha News said an Electronic Services website also offers the check. The Council listed 55788372, 44597769 and 44597777 for inquiries.^6,10
   Official portal.moi.gov.qa

How a ban is lifted

• Deposit or guarantee. Alhababi Law Firm writes that the debtor can challenge a debt travel ban and seek its cancellation by depositing the debt in the court treasury or providing a sufficient guarantee.⁹
• Settling with the authority concerned. Doha News reported that the Supreme Judiciary Council advised people to check for a circular so they can settle it with the authority concerned before leaving.¹⁰

Exit rules

The ILO says a 4 September 2018 change to the law on entry and exit of expatriates removed exit permits for most private sector workers, and a Ministerial Decree in force from 16 January 2020 removed them for domestic workers, government and public sector workers, oil and gas workers and workers at sea and in agriculture. Exit permits remain for members of the armed forces, and the ILO said up to 5 percent of a company's workforce may still need them under strict conditions.

• 4 September 2018Exit permit requirement removed for most workers in private companies covered by the Labour Law.²
• 16 January 2020Exit permit requirement removed for domestic workers and other groups not covered by the Labour Law, except armed forces members and a limited number of workers in key posts.^1,2

Sponsorship and changing jobs

The ILO said in August 2020 that removing exit permits and the employer No Objection Certificate for job changes effectively dismantles the kafala sponsorship system, and in its 2022 overview said the most problematic and restrictive elements of kafala were dismantled. Human Rights Watch said in 2020 that employers remain responsible for applying for, renewing and cancelling residence and work permits.

Changing employer

Under Law No. 19 of 2020, the ILO says migrant workers can change jobs before the end of their contract without a No Objection Certificate. Under Law No. 18 of 2020, a worker must give written notice of one month if employed for two years or less, or two months if employed longer. The ILO reported that the Ministry of Labour approved more than 348,500 job change applications between 1 November 2020 and 31 August 2022.

Absconding reports

Human Rights Watch said in September 2020 that leaving an employer without permission, or remaining after a permit expires or is revoked, is still penalised, and it documented cases of false absconding charges filed after workers complained. HRW also reported a 21 September 2020 ministerial decree allowing job changes without employer permission within 90 days after a residence permit expires, unless it expired for reasons beyond the worker's control.

Reforms

• 16 January 2020Exit permits removed by Ministerial Decree for domestic workers and other groups outside the Labour Law.¹
• 30 August 2020Law No. 17 of 2020 (minimum wage), Law No. 18 of 2020 (termination and notice) and Law No. 19 of 2020 (job change without NOC) announced.³
• 8 September 2020Human Rights Watch reported the job change and termination reforms took effect on publication in the official gazette, and the minimum wage law six months after publication.⁵

Domestic workers

Domestic workers are covered by Law No. 15 of 2017. Clyde and Co summarises it as setting a maximum 10 hour working day, one weekly rest day, three weeks' annual leave, payment of salary no later than three days after the month end, and a ban on deducting recruitment fees from pay. Exit permits were removed for domestic workers from 16 January 2020, according to the ILO. Human Rights Watch reported in 2020 that Labour Ministry instructions allow domestic workers to end their contracts with or without notice. The ILO says the minimum wage applies to domestic workers.^8,1,5,3

Wage protection

The ILO says the Wage Protection System monitors pay for all private sector workers and was strengthened after an independent assessment, though gaps in timely payment remain. Law No. 17 of 2020 set a basic minimum wage of QAR 1,000 for all workers including domestic workers, plus at least QAR 300 for food and QAR 500 for housing where the employer does not provide them.^4,3

Fees workers should not pay

Article 33 of Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 bars persons licensed to recruit workers from abroad on behalf of others from "Collecting from the recruited Workers any sums of money as recruitment fees or other charges." Article 57 requires the employer, at its cost, to return the worker to the place from where he was procured when employment ends. For domestic workers, Clyde and Co says Law No. 15 of 2017 bars employers from deducting recruitment fees from pay.^7,8

Where to complain or get help

Sources

1. International Labour Organization, Exit permits consigned to history for almost all migrant workers in Qatar (16 January 2020) · official
2. International Labour Organization, Removal of exit permits to leave Qatar (20 August 2020) · official
3. International Labour Organization, Dismantling the kafala system and introducing a minimum wage mark new era for Qatar labour market (30 August 2020) · official
4. International Labour Organization, Overview of Qatar's labour reforms (24 February 2024) · official
5. Human Rights Watch, Qatar: Significant Labor and Kafala Reforms (24 September 2020)
6. Gulf Times, Travel ban order checking facility available on Metrash (8 March 2022)
7. UNODC SHERLOC legislation database, Law No. 14 of 2004 on the promulgation of the Labour Law (Articles 4, 33, 57 and 93) (19 May 2004) · official
8. Clyde and Co, Domestic Workers Law in Qatar (20 September 2022)
9. Alhababi Law Firm (via The Legal 500), Ban the Debtor from Traveling (undated)
10. Doha News, Travel ban restrictions to be listed on Metrash 2 (8 March 2022)