Advancing Qatarisation Through a Strategic Vision for a Future-Ready Workforce

Qatar stands at a pivotal moment in its development journey, one defined by a deliberate transition toward a diversified, knowledge-based economy. At the heart of this transformation is workforce nationalisation, also known as Qatarisation. More than a policy goal, it is a nation-building strategy that reflects Qatar’s commitment to inclusive growth, talent sustainability and long-term resilience.

With the new nationalisation law coming into force on 17 April 2025, Qatar has now moved from the planning to implementation phase, marking a shift from policy aspiration to enforceable mandate.

Anchored in the Qatar National Vision 2030 and reinforced by the National Development Strategy 2024–2030 (NDS-3), the country has laid out an ambitious plan to increase the representation of Qatari nationals in key economic sectors, particularly within the private and semi-private domains. By 2030, Qatar aims for more than 20% of its national workforce to be employed in these sectors, and more than 46% of the total workforce to occupy skilled or highly skilled roles. This shift reflects a broader policy effort to align the labour market with economic diversification goals, investing in both local talent and international expertise.

A Policy Rooted in Opportunity and Growth

Qatarisation aims to steadily grow the number of Qatari nationals in sectors deemed vital to the national economy, including information technology, digital services, financial services and healthcare. Through a combination of targeted policy and structured initiatives, companies are encouraged to adopt inclusive employment strategies that integrate Qatari talent into long-term workforce planning.

The Ministry of Labour has introduced a range of support tools from industry-specific nationalisation targets (initially in strategic sectors) to incentive structures that reward employers demonstrating strong commitment to national employment goals. Organisations are also encouraged to collaborate with educational institutions and training centres, helping to build a pipeline of Qatari graduates equipped with the skills and experience needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.

How Qatarisation is Shaping the Private Sector

For businesses operating in Qatar, nationalisation has become a central component of workforce compliance. Employers are expected to develop nationalisation plans, register company workforce data via official platforms, participate in training programmes and report progress on creating employment opportunities for Qatari nationals. These expectations are tailored to each sector’s capacity, recognising the diverse needs of different industries.

Collaboration remains key. Some organisations are working closely with universities and technical colleges to offer internships, leadership development and early-career support for Qatari students and graduates. This investment not only supports national objectives but also helps companies build loyal, high-performing teams that drive sustainable growth.

Qatar has made notable progress in expanding workforce nationalisation across multiple sectors. The government continues to invest in education, skills development and labour market reform to ensure Qatari nationals are well-prepared to meet the demands of a dynamic economy. Policy frameworks are being refined based on business feedback, making nationalisation more structured, targeted and achievable.

Fragomen’s experience across the Gulf Cooperation Council shows that effective nationalisation depends on clear targets, gradual implementation and employer support. Other programmes, such as the UAE’s Nafis and Saudi Arabia’s Nitaqat, illustrate the value of tracking, tiered incentives and sector-specific benchmarks. Qatar’s approach reflects these lessons, with a focus on strategic sectors, incentivised hiring and collaborative rollout.

These efforts have positioned Qatar as a regional leader in developing a knowledge-driven economy where national talent is empowered, competitive and future-ready.

Supporting Businesses on Their Qatarisation Journey

As nationalisation policies evolve, employers increasingly seek expert guidance to navigate their impact on workforce strategy. Fragomen works closely with entities in Qatar to support compliance with nationalisation requirements while maintaining operational efficiency.

This includes advising on workforce planning, reporting obligations and engagement with upskilling programmes ensuring companies are well-positioned to contribute to national goals in a practical and sustainable manner. The firm helps organisations align nationalisation with broader business models, offering tailored support to achieve meaningful progress.

Looking Ahead

Qatarisation is no longer a question of if, but how and how effectively it can be embedded across sectors as a tool for long-term development. It represents a shared national effort uniting policymakers, employers and academic institutions in building a resilient labour market where national talent is deeply integrated and globally competitive.

As the Qatarisation progresses, businesses have a unique opportunity to align more deeply with national priorities not only through compliance, but through active participation in shaping a future-ready workforce. At Fragomen, Qatarisation is approached as a strategic element of workforce planning. By supporting employers throughout their Qatarisation journey, the goal is to align workforce strategies with the nation's transformation agenda and contribute to sustainable talent development. Qatarisation

Need to Know More?

For further information on Qatarisation or Qatar’s immigration requirements, please contact Partner Azeem Mohiuddin at [email protected].

This blog was published on 29 April 2025, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.