Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ

Exit Permits

The Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani signed Law No 13 of 2018 (Amending Law) in September 2018, amending certain provisions of Law No 21 of 2015 that required all migrant workers getting permission from their employers before leaving Qatar. The amended law, which came into effect in October 2018, allows most migrant workers covered by the Labour Law to leave the country without having to obtain an exit permit. Decision No 95 of 2019 was issued to allow expatriates in the following categories to have the freedom to temporarily or permanently leave the country during the period of validity of their employment contract: staff in ministries and other government agencies; employees in public bodies and institutions; employees in the oil and gas sector and affiliated companies; employees working on marine vessels; workers engaged in agriculture and grazing; and workers in private offices. As per Decision No 95 of 2019, domestic workers should notify employers at least 72 hours prior to the departure. In September 2018, the Ministry of Labor announced that employers may submit names of up to 5% of its employees who will continue to require exit permits. Companies need to upload the list of such employees on the ministry's website. The ministry will then move those lists to the MOI. Employers are not required to seek an employee’s consent prior to including a name on the list. Wives and dependent children under the sponsorship of their husbands or fathers do not require an exit permit. The Expat Exit Grievance Committee remains in place to accept complaints from workers prevented from leaving the country for any reason. Until advised otherwise, the following fees remain in place for those who still require an exit permit: Multiple use exit permits for expatriates: Valid for one year – QAR500. Exit permit for those sponsored by companies or organisations: Valid for one week – No charge. Exit permit for those on personal sponsorship: Valid for one week – No charge. Electronic exit permits: Government agencies and private companies can issue exit permits electronically through an authorised signatory within seconds using Metrash2 or portal.moi.gov. qa. Sponsors can issue the permit via the internet and their mobile phones worldwide. Manually processed exit permits: Many smaller organisations still process exit permits by hand. The mandoub is licensed as a company representative to obtain this on your behalf. Paperwork must be signed by your sponsor and bear the company stamp. Permits must be presented, along with your passport, at the Immigration counter at Departures. Overstay fines: Check hukoomi.gov.qa for current fees. Online visa/permit information Detailed information about all types of visas and visa applications in English can be found online at hukoomi.gov.qa or portal.moi.gov.qa eGate The MOI has activated free eGate service for expatriate passengers at the arrivals and departures terminal of Hamad International Airport (HIA). Expatriates and their children above 18 years of age can avail of the service using their residence cards or passports after registration at the airport. HIA currently has 40 e-gates installed – 21 at the departures terminal and 19 at the arrivals terminal. The service comes under the 'smart passengers' project launched in early 2017.

Health Related Services Health Cards

To access the government healthcare system and facilities, it is essential to apply for a health card. This can be issued only after you obtain a residence permit. Babies under one year receive free vaccinations and medical treatment under the state healthcare system. Cash is not accepted for payment at Primary Health Care Centres (PHCC) – only a valid debit or credit card or payment card obtainable from QNB (see eCASH cards, earlier in this section). Application Qatar guarantees health services to all citizens and residents in government medical institutions through a health card system. The system provides the cardholder with a medical record file containing all his/her medical data saved in the nearest healthcare centre. You can renew your health card online, or replace a lost or damaged card.