Address registration to be required under National Address Law

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Qatar is preparing to implement a law that will require citizens and foreign nationals to register their address with authorities.

What does the change mean? The National Address Law will require foreign nationals to register their residence address through the Metrash application or in person through the Ministry of Interior.

• Implementation time frame: To be determined.
• Service affected: Address registration.
• Who is affected: All Qatari and non-Qatari individuals, institutions and companies.
• What to watch: Once the Ministry of Interior officially implements the law and opens the national address registry, all Qatari and non-Qatari individuals, institutions and companies will be required to register their address. Failure to comply will result in penalties that could include fines.

Background: The National Address law was first announced in 2017, and will require citizens and residents of Qatar to register their current address though the Metrash app or in person at the Ministry of the Interior. They will be required to provide the following.

• Address of residence
• Fixed telephone number
• Mobile number
• Email address
• Employer address (for both government and private sector employees)
• Permanent address abroad

Additional information requirements may be added to this list. Authorities are moving toward implementing the law and recently said they would do so as soon as final procedural and operational steps are completed.

Analysis & Comments: Companies should prepare to register their address, as well as their employees’ addresses, once the policy is implemented.

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