The executive regulations of the new law regulating the entry, exit and residency of expatriates in Qatar are expected to be issued soon by the authorities concerned.
Stating this, local Arabic daily Al Sharq has said the law is expected to come into effect in December, a year after its publication in the official gazette.
Law No 21 of 2015, which abolishes the stipulations of Law No 4 of 2009 regarding regulation of expatriates’ entry, departure, residence and sponsorship, was issued by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in October last year.
The executive regulations will be published in different media, according to the daily, in order to raise awareness among the public about how the new law works. Executive regulations explain different articles of a law and how they are to be implemented, it is learnt.
The new law abolishes the sponsorship (Kafala) system, making an employment contract the basis of regulating the relationship between an employer and the employee within the limits of the law.
Accordingly, expatriate workers can switch jobs with different employers upon government approval, either after the expiry of their contracts or after five years of service with their recruiter in case of open-ended contracts.
Under the new law, the current two-year ban on expatriates who want to come back to the country on a new work visa will no longer be applicable. A foreign worker who has got a new contract to work in Qatar can come back even the next day, provided s/he has met the other requirements, such as a visa, Gulf Times had reported earlier.
The new law makes it possible for expatriates to apply themselves for exit permits through the approved channels of the Ministry of Interior without having to seek the permission of the employer. The request will be granted within three working days.
The employer will be notified in case he has any objection. In case of disputes, a grievance committee will resolve the issue within three working days, according to earlier reports.