The Entry, Exit and Residence Law (Law No.21 of 2015) states that an employee can change his job with the approval of the government, either on expiry of their contract, or after five years of service with the employer, if the contract is of indefinite term or unlimited period. At present, there is no need to obtain an NOC from the previous employer for a former resident to take up a new job in Qatar. In the event of cancellation of visa or residency permit, the person can return to Qatar and take up employment immediately on being granted a new visa. The said law abolishes the two-year ban on expats who wish to get back to Qatar on a new employment visa. Therefore, an expat who has obtained a new contract to work in Qatar can even get back to Qatar the next day.
In case of termination of the employment contract, the employee is given up to three months’ time as a grace period to find new employment by notifying the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs. If the worker finds a new job, he or she should return to the Ministry and present the new employment contract.
If the employee wishes to change the employment prior to expiry of their contract or before completion of five years of service, he or she should seek permission from existing employer.
According to latest regulations, if the company terminates and cancels the residency permit of an employee, he or she can return to Qatar to take up new employment immediately, once they are granted a new visa. The new law abolishes the present two-year ban on expats, who wish to come back to the country on a new visa. An expat with a new contract to work in Qatar can even get back the next day.
Also, those who complete their contracts under the law can come to Qatar the next day of their departure if they get new job offers. Workers who complete their contracts easily can get back without facing any ban.
If you have worked in Qatar but now you are banned you can come back without NOC if you have new offer by a new employer. New Job offer from new employer that is all you need to come back to Qatar in case you are facing work ban. This is because the new law abolishes ‘kafala’ or ‘sponsorship system’, and hence, a person who had previously worked in Qatar will not have to seek the approval of his former sponsor if he is recruited by a new employer.
However, Article 26 stipulates that if a foreign worker is banned as a punitive measure, and he did not appeal his dismissal or if his plea was rejected by a court, then he cannot get back to Qatar prior to completion of four years.
