Attention Expats! Violations and Penalties You Need to Know on Entry-Exit Policies in Qatar

By Darlene Regis - July 26, 2021

Qatar Expats Entry, Exit, and Residency Legal Offences

Are you an expat in Qatar? Did you know that you can get arrested or fined for up to 50,000 QAR if you overstay in the country after the allowed duration of your entry or residence permit? You also need to pay a penalty of up to 10,000 QAR if you fail to present your passport, travel document, or residence permit to the authorities whenever requested to do so.

The above are just some of the legal offenses in accordance with Law No. 21 of 2015 regulating entry, exit and residence of the expatriates. Here are the other violations and penalties you need to know to avoid facing legal charges during your stay in Qatar as a tourist or expat:

Violation	Punishment
1) Enter or exit the country without a passport or travel document or an entry permit.	Imprisonment up to 3 years maximum and/or fine up to 50,000 QAR
2) Enter or exit the country through points other than the specified ports.	Imprisonment up to 3 years maximum and or fine up to 50,000 QAR.
3) Illegal visa trading	Imprisonment up to 3 years maximum and/or a fine up to 50,000 QAR for the first time and 100,000 in case of repetition.
4) Failure of the employer to proceed residence permit and renewal procedures within the specified period not exceeding 90 days from the expiry date.	A fine up to 10,000 QAR
5) The employer's failure to hand over the passport to the employee after completing the procedures for getting or renewing residence permit.	A fine up to 25,000 QAR.
6) The employer's failure to allow the expatriate to approach the competent authorities during 30 days from the date of entry into the State to complete the residence permit procedures.	A fine of 10,000 QAR and/or failure of the expat to complete these measures will subject you to a fine of up to 10,000 QAR.
7) An expatriate entering the country for a visit or other purpose for a period not exceeding (30 days) remains in the country after the expiry of this period without renewal or residence permit.	Imprisonment up to 3 years maximum and/or fine up to 50,000 QAR
8) The expatriate whose family has been authorized to get residency must apply for a residence permit for his child within 90 days from the date of birth or entry into the State.	A fine up to 10,000 QAR
9) Those who bring the expatriate woman for visit must apply to amend the status of her child born inside the country within (60) days from the date of birth.	A fine up to 10,000 QAR
10) Failure of the expatriate to present passport, travel document or residence permit to the competent authority whenever requested to do so, or failure to inform in the event of losing any of them and not obtaining a replacement for lost or damaged one.	A fine up to 10,000 QAR
11) Failure of the employer to inform the competent authorities within (14 days) from the date of the expatriate's leaving the work for him or his abstention from leaving the country after canceling his residence permit or expiry of the residence permit and completing 90 days without renewing it or expiring the visit period or ending the purpose for which he was authorized to enter.	A fine up to 50,000 QAR
12) The employer, whether a natural or a legal person, permits the expatriates who recruited them for work, to work for other bodies or employing workers he did not bring to work for him.	Imprisonment up to 3 years maximum and/or a fine of up to 50,000 QAR for the first time and 100,000 QAR in case of repetition.
13) An expatriate must leave the country if he does not obtain a residence permit, or if the residence permit expires or is canceled for any reason, or the purpose for which he was authorized has ended within (90) days from the date of the expiration of the permit, its cancellation, or the end of the purpose.	Imprisonment up to 3 years maximum and/or a fine up to 50,000 QAR for the first time and up to 100,000 in case of repetition.
14) A person who is allowed to reside in accordance with Chapter 7 of the law (21) of 2015 must not violate the purpose for which he was authorized to reside.	Imprisonment up to 3 years maximum and/or a fine up to 50,000 QAR for the first time and up to 100,000 QAR in case of repetition.

Beware of the above policies and avoid committing any of those offenses to ensure that you are legally permitted to live, work, or stay in Qatar and keep yourself free from violations, which will lead you to questioning by the relevant authorities.

Source: Search and Follow Up Department

The Search and Follow Up Department is one of the specialized departments under the General Directorate of Passports and Expatriates Affairs at the MoI, which is the competent department responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of Law No. 21 of 2015 regulating the entry, exit, and residence of the expatriates.

To deport violators of the laws from this country as it is required by the law for organizing expatriates and their residence in Qatar, SFD provides a centre for keeping persons who have been sentenced for deportation in custody while their final procedures are still pending.

Working Hours

SFD’s Services Office works in 2 shifts. It will receive applications for various services provided by the department.

Morning Shift: 7 AM to 12 Noon

Evening Shift: 1 PM to 5 PM (Surrenders' Office)

Visiting the Services Office

The visitor of the department can go to the counter to complete all the procedures from the same counter without having to go to another employee or counter.

In the case of any violations or fine against the visitor, payment can be made directly through the automatic payment machine that is placed in the new office.

Contact Details

Telephone Number: 2346333

Fax Number: 44602287

E-mail Address: safd@moi.gov.qa

Address

For the office location map, click here.

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