Qatar

Hiring in Qatar

To comply with Qatar's visa sponsorship program, foreign workers need to be sponsored by a local employer or company to obtain a work permit. At our company, we specialize in providing clients with regional payroll services and visa sponsorship solutions for Qatar. Depending on the individual's citizenship or work history, we may need to conduct a background check before determining whether we can sponsor their visa. It is important to clarify with the candidate whether only their employment and residency permits will be sponsored, or whether their family members' residency permits will also be sponsored. Typically, employers sponsor the residency visas of professionals' spouses and children.

Employment Contracts in Qatar

To comply with Qatar’s laws, it is crucial to draft a comprehensive employment agreement that outlines the employee’s compensation, benefits, and severance obligations. The employment contract must be in the local language and specify the wage and any other remuneration in the local currency. The agreement should be in duplicate, with one copy held by the employer and the other by the employee. At our company, we ensure that our clients have access to a robust employment contract that is compliant with the local laws and protects their intellectual property.

Holidays in Qatar

There are 8 national holidays in the region.

Vacation Days in Qatar

Statutory Minimum: After one year of continuous service, an employee is eligible for the following yearly leave with pay:

  • 3 weeks of paid leave after between one and five years of service.
  • 4 weeks of paid time off after five years of service.
To comply with local labor laws, employers in Qatar must pay employees for their annual leave before they take it. This includes vacation pay and any other compensation earned up until the time the leave is taken. For executives in Qatar, the standard vacation allotment is often extended to four weeks of paid leave. Additionally, companies may offer a yearly round-trip ticket for the employee to their home country during the vacation period. It is important to clarify whether the round-trip ticket is for the employee only or includes their family. Muslim employees in Qatar are entitled to take up to two weeks of unpaid leave for religious purposes during their employment.

Sick Leave in Qatar

In Qatar, employees who have worked for more than three months are entitled to sick leave pay for up to two weeks upon submission of a medical certificate. This benefit ensures that workers receive their full wage for the first two weeks of their sick leave and half of their wage for the following two weeks. It is important to note that this benefit is prorated for employees who have not completed three months of service.

Parental Leave in Qatar

To support working women in Qatar, it is mandatory for firms to provide maternity leave benefits. After one year of service with the company, female employees can take up to 50 days of paid maternity leave, with a minimum of two weeks before delivery and one month after. However, there is no legal paternity leave in the country, but some companies offer fathers between three to five days of paid leave.

Health Insurance in Qatar

To access healthcare in Qatar, Qatari citizens can receive free or highly affordable medical care. However, foreigners usually require additional insurance to obtain medical services in the region. At our company, we provide comprehensive support for obtaining health insurance, ensuring our clients have access to quality healthcare services.

Termination in Qatar

The maximum probationary period in Qatar is six months, during which a worker may undergo only one probationary period with a single employer. If the employer considers the worker unable to perform job tasks, the company may terminate the agreement within the probationary period with three days' notice. If an employee has worked for an organization for more than a year, the employer is required to pay end-of-service rewards. The remuneration due includes the base salary, cost-of-living adjustments, and additional compensation based on years of service. For example, for up to five years of continuous service, the employee is granted three weeks for every year of service. Employees with indefinite contracts often have a 30-day notice period if they have been with the company for less than five years. The employer must pay for the employee's departure to their home country if they sponsor work visas and residency permits. Healthcare for Qataris is either entirely free or very affordable. Expats generally prefer additional insurance.

Taxes in the Qatar

There are no individual social security taxes or personal income taxes.