Additional Relaxed Immigration and Labor Reforms Announced
October 21, 2019
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At a Glance
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The Council of Ministers endorsed draft legislation that would further reform the immigration and labor environment in Qatar and would complement the proposals announced earlier this month.
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Main changes would include the elimination of the exit permit and a higher minimum salary for foreign workers, among other changes.
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Details on the new legislation, including implementation dates, are expected to be announced in the coming months.
The situation
The Council of Ministers has endorsed draft legislation that would complement last month’s proposed reforms and improve the rights and mobility of foreign nationals in Qatar.
A closer look
The key proposals include:
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Background
The proposals were announced during the recent conference with the International Labour Organization in Doha and were endorsed by the Council of Ministers.
The Qatari government has been progressively liberalizing its immigration policies to attract foreign nationals and investment to Qatar. Some recent reforms include the introduction a short-term work program and the introduction of a permanent residence program.
Looking ahead
Qatar is currently considered the second most competitive Arab economy based on the Global Competitiveness Report 2019 and these reforms should help the country maintain this status. Fragomen expects Qatar to continue liberalizing its immigration system, especially as it comes under global scrutiny as it prepares to host the World Cup in 2022. Specifically, new free zones, where companies are taxed less than in other regions of the country, are expected to be implemented within Qatar.
Further details on the new legislation, including implementation dates, are expected to be announced in the coming months.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
