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When traveling to Qatar, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Qatar, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Most foreign nationals, including nationals of the United States and the European Union member states, are required to obtain a Business Visa from a Qatari Consulate or Embassy prior to travel. Only nationals from eligible Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states are eligible for visa waiver status, which allows visitors to enter and conduct business activities in Qatar.
Please obtain an individual assessment prior to travel to determine your eligibility for a visa waiver.
Foreign nationals may work in Qatar with a Business Visa or visa waiver on a short-term basis without having to obtain work or residence authorization, as long as they are not remunerated in Qatar. Foreign nationals are advised to consult with their immigration counsel prior to travel to verify that their activities are permitted without obtaining work authorization.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Qatar. The most common types of work authorization for Qatar are:
While not exempt from work authorization requirements, nationals of eligible GCC member states benefit from an abbreviated process for obtaining work authorization in Qatar. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Qatar.
Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.
IMPACT – LOW
What is the change? Qatar has announced a more restrictive policy on certain expatriates obtaining driver’s licenses.
What does the change mean? Expatriates holding licenses issued in certain Asian and African countries will now be required to take a driving class in Qatar and pass a test. Additionally, the Qatari Traffic Department will no longer convert licenses of expatriate residents of Gulf Cooperation Council countries into Qatari licenses. This provision does not affect citizens of GCC countries, who remain eligible to convert their domestic driver’s licenses into Qatari licenses.
Background: The policy will affect foreigners living in GCC countries who wish to convert their GCC license to a Qatari license. The ability to convert a license will only be available to GCC citizens. The Qatari Traffic Department has also stopped allowing direct driving tests for foreigners holding licenses issued by the following countries:
They will be required to take a driving course and pass a test.
BAL Analysis: Affected nationals should plan ahead if they wish to obtain a Qatari driver’s license.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Qatar. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? Qatar announced that it will no longer allow foreign nationals to convert to a work visa in-country after entering on a business visa, arrival visa or tourist visa.
What does the change mean? Under the new immigration regulation, employees already in Qatar must leave the country to convert from business to work status.
Foreign nationals currently in Qatar planning to convert status will need to travel outside Qatar to complete the process. The employee must apply for the work visa from a Qatari consulate or embassy abroad and then may return to Qatar and enter on the issued work visa.
The second option is for the employee in Qatar to apply for the work visa in Qatar. Upon issuance, the employee must leave Qatar and then re-enter with the work visa.
It should be noted that it is still permissible for those holding a work visa to convert while in-country to another work visa with a different sponsor.
Regarding dependents of employees, those entering Qatar on an arrival visa or tourist visa are still able to convert in-country to a family visa.
BAL Analysis: Employers should be familiar with the new regulation and plan accordingly in order to get foreign nationals on board. They should also be aware that the new rules could lead to increased time and costs.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.