Qatar: Strategy Launched on Increasing Qatarization, Attracting More Highly-Skilled Foreign Nationals
November 19, 2024
Qatar’s Ministry of Labour (MOL) has launched a six-year strategy to boost Qatarization in the private sector while also increasing the proportion of highly skilled foreign nationals in the workforce. This includes:
- Goals to increase the number of Qatari nationals working in the private sector to 20% by 2030 (up from the current 17%). As part of this, the strategy seeks to upskill Qatari nationals to prepare them for private sector roles.
- Goals to increase the proportion of foreign workers in Qatar who are highly skilled from the current 20% to 24% by 2030. As part of this, Qatari authorities will prioritize visa issuance for highly skilled foreign nationals, introduce new visa and permit pathways (which may be similar to recently announced programs such as Mustaqel – a long-term residence permit program for talented individuals and entrepreneurs), and further streamline foreign national employment processes in Qatar.
Qatari authorities are expected to announce further details regarding the strategy in the near future. We will continue to monitor developments.
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].
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partners Isha Atassi and Rahul Soni discuss US investment-based immigration options for Middle Eastern investors.
Blog post
Partner Ali Haider, Director Shoaib Khaleeli, Manager Ruaida Hussein and Senior Immigration Consultant Katerina Hornickova examine why degree equivalency has become mandatory in the United Arab Emirates and how the process affects employment, professional licensing and visa eligibility.
Video
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler explains key eligibility requirements for naturalization in Germany, including residence, language proficiency and financial self-sufficiency, as well as family eligibility considerations.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper explains the impact of wage‑weighted selection on H‑1B registration and compliance.
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how heightened government scrutiny affecting students from countries such as Venezuela is shaping travel guidance for those studying in the US.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh highlights how recent H-1B changes are shaping employer compliance strategies.
Media mentions
Practice Leader Colm Collins explains that processing delays, shifting demand in information and communication technology (ICT) and renewal cycles contributed to last year’s drop in work permit approvals.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna examines current pressures on Canada’s immigration system, including processing delays, reduced admissions and policy uncertainty and the implications for applicants and employers.
Blog post
Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines how Swiss authorities assess Employer of Record and body-leasing models, highlighting key compliance risks, licensing requirements and a regulatory update affecting EU and EFTA nationals effective 1 January 2026.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how courts in Poland are reinforcing timely processing and constitutional protections for foreigners.
Fragomen news
Media mentions
Partners Isha Atassi and Rahul Soni discuss US investment-based immigration options for Middle Eastern investors.
Blog post
Partner Ali Haider, Director Shoaib Khaleeli, Manager Ruaida Hussein and Senior Immigration Consultant Katerina Hornickova examine why degree equivalency has become mandatory in the United Arab Emirates and how the process affects employment, professional licensing and visa eligibility.
Video
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler explains key eligibility requirements for naturalization in Germany, including residence, language proficiency and financial self-sufficiency, as well as family eligibility considerations.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper explains the impact of wage‑weighted selection on H‑1B registration and compliance.
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how heightened government scrutiny affecting students from countries such as Venezuela is shaping travel guidance for those studying in the US.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh highlights how recent H-1B changes are shaping employer compliance strategies.
Media mentions
Practice Leader Colm Collins explains that processing delays, shifting demand in information and communication technology (ICT) and renewal cycles contributed to last year’s drop in work permit approvals.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna examines current pressures on Canada’s immigration system, including processing delays, reduced admissions and policy uncertainty and the implications for applicants and employers.
Blog post
Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines how Swiss authorities assess Employer of Record and body-leasing models, highlighting key compliance risks, licensing requirements and a regulatory update affecting EU and EFTA nationals effective 1 January 2026.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how courts in Poland are reinforcing timely processing and constitutional protections for foreigners.
Fragomen news