Immigration Regulations
Click here to view earlier versions of QFC Reg No 11 – Immigration Regulations.
Enactment Notice
QATAR FINANCIAL CENTRE
REGULATION NO. 11 OF 2006
QFC IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS
These regulations are hereby enacted pursuant to Article 9 of Law No. (7) of 2005
Ali Ahmed Al-Kuwari
Minister of Commerce and Industry of the State of QatarAli Sharif Al-Emadi
Minister of Finance of the State of QatarIssued at: The Qatar Financial Centre, Doha
On: 18th July 2019
Corresponding to: 15 Dhu Al-Qidah 1440 HIJRI
Part 1: Part 1: Application, Commencement and Interpretation
Article 1 - Citation
These Regulations may be referred to as the Immigration Regulations.
Article 2 - Application
(1) These Regulations are made by theMinister pursuant to Article 9 of the QFC Law and the version enacted on 20 December 2006 received the consent of the Council ofMinisters . Amongst other things these Regulations govern the entry into and sponsorship within theState of Qatar of employees ofQFC Authority , theRegulatory Authority , Appeals Body, Tribunal, otherQFC Institutions andQFC Entities and theirFamily Members .(2) Pursuant to Article 18(4) of the QFC Law, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any other law or regulation of theState , theQFC Authority shall have power to issue all visas, permits and other documents relating to or required for the employment in or doing business with or in, theQFC and such visas, permits and other documents shall be fully valid and accepted by allState authorities.(3) Consistent with Article 2(2), the laws, rules and regulations of theState concerning the matters dealt with by or under these Regulations shall not apply to the extent they are inconsistent with a provision of these Regulations or any rule or policy or order issued thereunder.Amended (as from 12th May 2016) Article 3 - Commencement
These Regulations shall come into force from the date of their signature by the
Minister .Amended (as from 18th July 2019) Article 4 - Language
In accordance with Article 9 of the QFC Law, these Regulations are written in the English language and the text thereof shall be the official original text. Any translation thereof into another language shall not be authoritative and in the event of any discrepancy between the English text of these Regulations and any other version, the English text shall prevail.
Article 5 - Interpretation
Words and expressions used in these Regulations and interpretative provisions applying to these Regulations are set out in Part 6.
Part 2: Part 2: The QFC Immigration Office
Article 6 - Establishment of the Immigration Office
(1) The Immigration Office shall be established by theQFC Authority pursuant to Article 6 of the QFC Law.(2) The Immigration Office shall administer these Regulations and all aspects of the entry into and sponsorship within theState ofQFC Employees andFamily Members .(3) The Immigration Office shall be managed by theQFC Immigration Officer who shall determine its procedures and management.(4) The Immigration Office shall be subject to the supervision of theQFC Authority which shall have the power and function to:(A) ensure that the Immigration Office exercises its statutory powers and performs its statutory functions;(B) review the performance of the Immigration Office and the use of its resources; and(C) give the Immigration Office written directions as to the furtherance of any of its objectives or the performance of its functions.(5) TheQFC Authority may make rules to the extent set out in theQFC Law , these Regulations and any other Regulations conferring powers, duties or functions on theQFC Authority as it deems necessary or appropriate to enable it, the Immigration Office and the Immigration Officer to implement, carry out or enforce their duties, functions and powers under theQFC Law , these Regulations and any other Regulations. These rules shall address among other things, any disqualifications standards for entry into or residence in theState .(6) The General Directorate of Border Passport & Expatriate Affairs of theMinistry of Interior , Labour Department of the Ministry of Civil Service Affairs and Housing, the CID, and all other relevantState authorities shall cooperate with theQFC Immigration Office and provide all necessary assistance to achieve the objectives of these Regulations, including locating their employees in theQFC Immigration Office as and when necessary.Article 7 - Role and function of the Immigration Office
The Immigration Office shall have the following functions:
(1) to receive and process all applications for visas, sponsorship and residence permits forQFC Employees andFamily Members ;(2) to assess the eligibility of applicants pursuant to rules, policies or orders developed by theQFC Authority and to ensure the timely issuance of all visas and residence permits;(3) to maintain relations with allState authorities involved in matters addressed in these Regulations, to coordinate with such authorities in the implementation of these Regulations and any rules, policies or orders issued thereunder, to provide such authorities with any documents or material to which they have a right under these Regulations and any applicable laws, rules or regulations of theState , and to represent theQFC in dealings with such authorities;(4) to keep and maintain in such form as it shall determine a register in respect of eachQFC Employee andFamily Member in respect of the visas issued, sponsorships and residence permits, to record in such register all documents and information which fall to be filed with or delivered to the Immigration Office in respect of suchQFC Employees andFamily Members , including any applications which have been denied; and(5) all other functions provided for in these Regulations considered by it to be necessary, desirable or appropriate to achieve, further or assist in relation to any of the above.Amended (as from 18th July 2019) Part 3: Part 3: Entry and Sponsorship of QFC Employees
Article 8 - Entry of foreigners into the State
(1) No foreigner shall enter theState or depart from it unless the foreigner holds a valid passport issued by the competent authorities of the foreigner's country or any other competent authority, or unless the foreigner holds a document that may be substituted for the passport issued by one of the authorities mentioned in this Article. The Ministry of Interior shall, by a resolution, define the documents which may be substituted for the passport.(2) The passport or substitute document must be stamped with an entry visa by the competent authority.(3) A foreigner may only enter or leave theState from the places specified by a decision of theMinistry of Interior and after having the foreigner's passport or substitute document stamped by the competent supervising officer.(4)QFC Employees andFamily Members shall present their passport or alternative document to the Immigration Office, the General Directorate of Border Passport & Expatriate Affairs of theMinistry of Interior , the CID,State police authorities or any other appropriateState authority upon request. In the event of the loss of a passport or alternative document they shall notify the Immigration Office immediately.(5) EveryQFC Employee andFamily Member wishing to reside in theState must:(A) obtain a residence permit from the Immigration Office; and(B) leave theState upon the expiry of their residence permit unless they have previously obtained an extension from the Immigration Office.Article 9 - Sponsorship of QFC Employees
(1) Subject to the provisions of these Regulations,QFC Employees must be sponsored in theState by their Employer.(2) Employers may not employ persons in violation of these Regulations or any rules, policies or orders issued thereunder.Amended (as from 12th May 2016) Article 10 - Application for approval to bring a QFC Employee into the State
(1) Any Employer that wishes to bring aQFC Employee to theState must provide the Immigration Office with:(A) theQFC Employee's name;(B) the position of theQFC Employee ; and(C) a copy of theQFC Employee's passport.(2) The Immigration Office shall make the necessary arrangements for the issuance of the visa for theQFC Employee and anyFamily Members and shall inform the Employer when the visa is available for collection.(3) Absent any disqualifying information, the Immigration Office will make best efforts to have the visa issued within two (2) working days of the date the Employer provides the information in this Article.Article 11 - Residence permit
(1) Within five (5) working days of the arrival of theQFC Employee in theState the Employer shall apply to the Immigration Office for aState residence permit for theQFC Employee using the application form provided by the Immigration Office. The documents required in support of such an application shall be those identified for this purpose by the Immigration Office.(2) TheQFC Employee shall complete a medical examination at a hospital designated by the Immigration Office and must have his fingerprints taken at the Immigration Office on the date and at the time specified by the Immigration Office.(3) Absent any disqualifying information, the residence permit shall be issued within five (5) working days of the date of the completion of the matters specified in Article 11(2) and in no event shall it extend past ten (10) working days of the filing of the application, provided theQFC Employee has provided all necessary information and completed all necessary procedures.(4) The Immigration Office shall notify the Employer when the residence permit has been issued to itsQFC Employee . The duration of the residence permit will be for three (3) years provided that his passport remains valid during that period.(5) The Employer shall apply to the Immigration Office to renew an expired residence permit on behalf of aQFC Employee .Article 12 - Exit visa
A
QFC Employee does not require an exit visa to leave theState .Amended (as from 18th July 2019) Article 13 - Sponsorship of Family Members
(1)Family Members ofQFC Employees must be sponsored in theState by theQFC Employee in order to reside in theState .(2) In order to sponsor aFamily Member theQFC Employee must file the documents identified for this purpose by the Immigration Office.(3) A partner of aQFC Employee who subsequently obtains work in theQFC shall remain under the sponsorship of the partner.(4) A partner of aQFC Employee who subsequently obtains work in theState outside theQFC shall be subject to the laws, rules and regulations of theState regarding entry, sponsorship and residence.Article 14 - Residence permits for Family Member
(1) Within five (5) working days of the arrival of aFamily Member in theState theQFC Employee shall apply to the Immigration Office for aState residence permit for theFamily Member in accordance with Article 11 (Residence permit) and using the application form provided by the Immigration Office. The documents required in support of such an application are those identified for this purpose by the Immigration Office.(2)Family Members must complete a medical examination at a hospital designated by the Immigration Office and must have their fingerprints taken at the Immigration Office on the date and at the time specified by the Immigration Office.(3) Absent any disqualifying information, a residence permit shall be issued for theFamily Member within five (5) working days of the date of the completion of the matters specified in Article 11(2) and in no event shall it extend past ten (10) working days of the filing of the application, provided theFamily Member has provided all necessary information and completed all necessary procedures.(4) The Immigration Office will notify theQFC Employee when the residence permit has been issued. The period of theFamily Member's residence shall be coextensive with the duration of theQFC Employee's residence permit provided that theFamily Member's passport remains valid throughout that period, and shall terminate when theQFC Employee 's permit terminates.(5) An Employer orQFC Employee may apply to the Immigration Office to renew an expired residence permit for aFamily Member .Article 15 - Exit visas for Family Members
Family Members sponsored by aQFC Employee do not require exit visas to leave theState .Article 16 - Transfer of sponsorship
(1) Upon application, the Immigration Office shall assist in the transfer of the sponsorship of aQFC Employee from oneQFC Employer to anotherQFC Employer . The transfer of sponsorship from oneQFC Employer to anotherQFC Employer , or from aQFC Employer to a new employer in theState , shall not require the consent of, or any release by, the current Employer of theQFC Employee .(2) Upon application, the Immigration Office shall assist:(A)QFC Employees who wish to have their sponsorship transferred to a new employer in theState outside theQFC ; and(B)Sponsored Employees in theState seeking to becomeQFC Employees ,in their dealings with theMinistry of Interior to obtain a change of sponsorship under these Regulations and the laws, rules and regulations of theState .(3) TheQFC Immigration Office may accept the transfer of sponsorship of aSponsored Employee to an Employer if:(A) theSponsored Employee has notified hisState Sponsor of his wish to transfer his sponsorship(B) theState Sponsor has:(i) consented to the transfer of sponsorship;(ii) refused to consent to the transfer of sponsorship and has not provided a valid reason for the refusal; or(iii) failed to respond to theSponsored Employee's request to transfer his sponsorship within thirty (30) working days of receipt of such request;(C) theSponsored Employee who accepts an offer of employment from an Employer is not violating the terms of that Employee's current employment contract with theState Sponsor ; and(D) the relevant office of theMinistry of Interior has approved the transfer.(4) The Immigration Office may request information from theState Sponsor in relation to any matter identified in Article 16(3) above.(5) TheSponsored Employee shall be liable for any violation of these Regulations in connection with the transfer of his sponsorship to an Employer.(6)QFC Employees shall not work for any other employer in theState outside theQFC without complying with these Regulations and the applicable laws, rules and regulations of theState .(7) An Employer may apply to the Immigration Office to second hisQFC Employees to another Employer for a duration not exceeding twelve months or to permitQFC Employees to work for another Employer outside their usual working hours.(8) An Employer may apply to the Immigration Office for assistance in obtaining the permission of theMinistry of Interior either:(A) to second hisQFC Employees to an employer in theState for a duration not exceeding twelve (12) months,(B) to receive seconded employees from an employer in theState for a period not exceeding twelve (12) months; or(C) to permit aQFC Employee of an Employer to work for another employer in theState outside his usual working hours.Article 17 - Change of address
Any
QFC Employee must inform the Immigration Office within five (5) working days of any change of address.Article 18 - Visit and business visas
(1) Any Employer that wishes to apply for a business visit visa for a business contact or member of staff employed outside theState in circumstances where:(A) the visit will extend past the period for whichState requirements on entry into the State generally apply; and/or(B) the business contact or staff holds a passport from a jurisdiction that has no visa waiver program with theState ,shall file the documents identified for this purpose by the Immigration Office.(2) Any visa issued under this Article shall not extend past three (3) months although an Employer may file an extension for a further period of up to three (3) months.(3) The Immigration Office shall make the necessary arrangements for the issuance of the visa and shall inform the Employer when the visa is available for collection.(4) Absent any disqualifying information, the Immigration Office will make best efforts to have the visa issued within two (2) working days of the date the Employer provides the information in this Article.(5) The provisions of this Article shall also apply to anyQFC Employee who wishes to obtain a visa for a family member who is not sponsored by theQFC Employee for a visit to theState .Article 19 - Fees
A table of fees payable for services provided by the Immigration Office shall be published.
Part 4: Part 4: Sponsorship
Article 20 - Provisions relating to sponsored QFC Employees
(1) Except as required by these Regulations and subject to paragraph (2) of this Article, theQFC Employee , and any Family Member who is sponsored by the QFC Employee, shall leave theState within ninety (90) days from (A) the date of termination of the employment for which he was granted the entry visa or residence permit; or (B) the date on which such entry visa or residence permit expires, if earlier.(2) Paragraph (1) of this Article shall apply to the extent theQFC Employee in question is sponsored by aQFC Employer .Amended (as from 12th May 2016) Article 20A - Transitional Provisions Relating to Article 20
(1) Article 20 (as amended by QFC Immigration Regulations Version 2) shall not apply to anyQFC Employee , and anyFamily Member who is sponsored by suchQFC Employee , where theQFC Employee 's employment has been terminated, or theQFC Employee has received or given notice of termination of his employment, at any time prior to the coming into force of Article 20 (as amended by QFC Immigration Regulations Version 2).(2) The provisions of Article 20 of QFC Immigration Regulations Version 1 enacted on 20 December 2006 shall continue to apply to theQFC Employee , and anyFamily Member who is sponsored by suchQFC Employee , where theQFC Employee 's employment has been terminated, or theQFC Employee has received or given notice of termination of his employment at any time prior to the coming into force of Article 20 (as amended by QFC Immigration Regulations Version 2).Inserted (as from 12th May 2016) Article 21 - Obligations of Employer
(1) The obligations of the Employer are:(A) if theQFC Employee fails to leave theState as required by these Regulations or any applicable laws, rules or regulations of theState , to cooperate with the Immigration Office and relevantState authorities as may be required;(B) to cooperate fully with the Immigration Office and relevantState Authorities in connection with any criminal or security proceeding involving theQFC Employee ; and(C) to bear the expenses of preparing and burying the body of his deceasedQFC Employee in the cemeteries designated for that purpose in theState , or, at the request of a legitimate heir of the deceased or any other party, to transport the body to the native country or permanent place of residence of the deceasedQFC Employee , whatever the reason of death might be.(2) Except as provided in anyQFC Regulation enacted under theQFC Law or unless expressly consented to in writing by the Employer, no Employer shall be liable for any civil obligation or civil liability incurred by its Employees or theirFamily Members in theState .Article 22 - Deportation of QFC Employees
(1) TheMinistry of Interior may issue a resolution for deporting anyQFC Employee orFamily Member whose residence proves threatening to the security of theState and public safety, whether domestically or abroad, to its economy, public health or accepted standards of behaviour or if he constitutes a cost to theState .(2) Consistent with Article 18(1) of the QFC Law, any final deportation decision issued by theState criminal courts shall be executed in accordance withState laws, rules and regulations.Part 5: Part 5: General Provisions
Article 23 - Penalties
The Immigration Office may impose fines in accordance with rules to be provided by QFCA for contraventions of these Regulations, provided however, that no such fine may be issued in respect of a matter which is the subject of a fine or penalty under the law, rules or regulations of the
State .Article 24 - Appeals
A person directly affected by a determination, decision or fine of the Immigration Office may appeal the determination, decision or fine to such court, tribunal or other juridical body established under the
QFC Law and empowered to hear matters arising under these Regulations. In such a case, the person must first exhaust any procedures made available by theQFC Authority to review the decision of the Immigration Office.Part 6: Part 6: Interpretations and Definitions
Article 25 - Interpretation
(1) In these Regulations, a reference to:(A) a provision of any law or regulation includes a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted from time to time;(B) an obligation to publish or cause to be published a particular document shall, unless expressly provided otherwise in these Regulations, include publishing or causing to be published in printed or electronic form;(C) a calendar year shall mean a year of the Gregorian calendar;(D) a month shall mean a month of the Gregorian calendar;(E) the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter;(F) writing includes any form of representing or reproducing words in a legible form;(G) references to a person includes any natural or legal person, body corporate or body unincorporated, including a branch, company, partnership, unincorporated association, government or state.(2) The headings in these Regulations shall not affect their interpretation(3) A reference in these Regulations to a Part or Article by number only, and without further identification, is a reference to a Part or Article of that number in these Regulations.(4) A reference in these Regulations to an Article or a Part using the short form description of such Article or Part in parenthesis are for convenience only and the short form description shall not affect the construction of the Article or Part to which it relates.(5) A reference in an Article or other division of these Regulations to a paragraph, sub-paragraph or Article by number or letter only, and without further identification, is a reference to a paragraph, sub-paragraph or Article of that number or letter contained in the Article or other division of these Regulations in which that reference occurs.(6) Any reference in these Regulations to "include", "including", "in particular", "for example", "such as" or similar expressions shall be considered as being by way of illustration or emphasis only and are not to be constructed so as to limit the generality of any words preceding them.Article 26 - Definitions
In these Regulations, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings shown against each of them, unless the contrary intention appears:
Employment Regulations the Regulations enacted by the Minister relating to employment in theQFC Family Member(s) the female partner of a male QFC Employee or a male partner of a femaleQFC Employee and minor children of aQFC Employee who are sponsored by thatQFC Employee QFC Employee a non-Qatari employee of an Employer Minister the Minister of Economy and Commerce of the State Ministry of Interior the Ministry of Interior of theState Person includes a natural or judicial person, body corporate, or body unincorporate, including a branch, a company, partnership, unincorporated association or other undertaking, government or state. QFC the Qatar Financial Centre QFC Authority the Qatar Financial Centre Authority established pursuant to Article 3 of the QFC Law QFC Employer the QFC Authority , theRegulatory Authority , the Appeals Body, the Tribunal or any otherQFC Entity or aQFC Institution which employs one or more employeesQFC Entity any company, branch or partnership established in or licensed to do business in the QFC QFC Institution the Companies Registration Office or any other institution or body created under Article 6 or Article 9 of the QFC Law QFC Law Law No. (7) of 2005 of the State Regulatory Authority the Regulatory Authority of theQFC established by Article 8 of the QFC LawSponsored Employee an employee who is not of Qatari nationality and who is not sponsored in the State by a member of his family and is therefore sponsored in theState by his employerState the State of QatarState Sponsor The Person in theState sponsoring aSponsored Employee