Source: http://www.almeezan.qa/LawView.aspx?opt&LawID=2611&language=en
Timestamp: 2019-11-20 08:03:01
Document Index: 438727849

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 8', 'art 9']

Part 3 (9-17)
Residence of the Expatriates in the State of Qatar (9-17)
Part 4 (18-36)
Regulation of the Sponsorship of Expatriates (18-36)
Part 5 (37-42)
Deportation, Order of Departure and Repatriation (37-42)
Part 6 (43-50)
Entry and Residence of Certain Categories (43-50)
Part 7 (51-53)
Penalties (51-53)
Part 8 (54-56)
Part 9 (57-60)
Reference: C.O. Issue. 3, Dated 29/03/2009, Page 29.
We, Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Crown Prince of Qatar,
Pursuant to the Constitution;
Law No. 3/ 1963 which regulates the Entry to and Residence in the State of Qatar by Expatriates as amended;
Law No. 8/ 1983 which relates to the offences in connection with the entry and residence of Expatriates in the State of Qatar as amended by Law No. 13/2003;
Law No. 3/1984 which regulates the sponsorship of expatriates, their residence and departure as amended by Law No. 21/ 2002;
Decree-law No. 20/1998 which determines the categories and rules for fees and penalties imposed by the Ministry of Interior and the fines payable for offences committed by Expatriates in connection with their entry to and residence in the State of Qatar and for which Composition can be conducted;
Law No. 2/2006 which regulates the entry to and residence in the State of Qatar by certain categories of people;
In this Law, unless the context indicates otherwise:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
means the Ministry of Interior
means the Minister of Interior
means the Directorate charged with the enforcement of the provisions of the present Law as delegated by the Minister
charged with the enforcement of these provisions
“Expatriate”
means any person who enters the State of Qatar and who is not a Qatari national
means a permit allowing an Expatriate to enter the State of Qatar
“Entry or Exit Stamp”
A stamp in proof of the Expatriate's entry to or exit from the ports specified herein.
means a permit allowing an Expatriate to reside in the State of Qatar in accordance with the provisions specified by the present Law and the Executive Regulations and Decrees thereof.
“Residence Sponsor”
Means the employer, head of a household, or a visitor recruiter who acts as a sponsor, where sponsorship includes granting an exit permit for the sponsored person.
“Exit Sponsor”
The person who undertakes to fulfill all obligations incurred by a Expatriate prior to departure from the country, and whose liability expires on the exit of the said Expatriate from the country.
The Expatriate's departure from the country after the purpose for which he/she was permitted to enter and reside is over.
Compulsory departure of an Expatriate from the State of Qatar upon the issue of an order.
“Order of Departure”
means an order compelling an Expatriate who has entered the country illegally to leave it.
means a document taking the place of a passport and issued by the competent authorities in the country of the holder or by any other recognized authority
Entry to and Departure from the State of Qatar by Expatriates
An Expatriate may not enter or leave the State of Qatar unless he holds a valid passport or travel document as well as an entry visa issued by the competent authority, stating the purpose of entry.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
An Expatriate may not enter or leave the country except through the entry ports specified by the Minister after having an entry or exit stamp affixed on his passport or travel document, or otherwise by any other mechanism determined by the Minister.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
An entry visa may not be granted to an Expatriate who was previously a resident in the State of Qatar for employment purposes until two years have elapsed from the date of departure. The Minister or his authorized representative may waive this period and the competent authority may, subject to a written approval from the ex sponsor, grant an exemption from the period so specified.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Both the sponsor and Expatriate shall report to the competent authorities within seven days of the Expatriate's entry to the State of Qatar in order to comply with the formalities of the residence or business permit so issued. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
The competent authority may permit the sponsor or Expatriate to authorize representative(s) to finalize the formalities stated in the preceding Paragraph.
The Expatriate shall, during his residence in the State of Qatar, and when so required, submit to the competent authority a passport or travel document, including, but not limited to any data required by the competent authority before the expiry of the period specified therefore. In the event of a lost or damaged passport or travel document, the Expatriate shall immediately notify the competent authority and apply for a replacement in lieu of the lost or damaged passport or travel document.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Ship masters, pilots, vehicle drivers and any other persons driving any other means of vehicular transport shall, upon arrival in the State of Qatar and before departure, submit to the competent authority a list of the names and personal details of their ship’s, aircraft’s or vehicle’s crew and passengers. Passengers who are not in possession of passports, travel documents or entry visas shall not be allowed to travel aboard such aircraft, ship or any other means of transportation and in the case that they are carrying any such persons they shall detain them on the ship, aircraft or vehicle and shall notify the competent authority of the case. In all cases, a carrier in breach of this regulation shall at his own expense return any passenger who does not hold a passport, travel document or visa to the country he came from.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Managers and /or persons in charge of hotels, and similar facilities, or deputies thereof shall provide information to the competent authority about such persons who were permitted to enter the State of Qatar under their supervision. In the event of such persons being absent from the place of residence for more than forty eight hours without leave, the competent authority shall be notified thereof within a period of not less than twenty four hours and the hotel in question shall be liable in the same manner that a sponsor would be liable. In such event, the hotel in question shall be deemed to be a sponsored person. In all cases, any person accommodating an Expatriate shall notify the security authority within which respective area of jurisdiction the hotel or accommodation facility is located of the name and address of the said Expatriate within twenty four hours of his arrival.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Deportation, Order of Departure and Repatriation
Notwithstanding the provisions of any other Law, the Minister may issue an order to repatriate any expatriate whose presence in the State of Qatar is a threat to its internal or external security and safety or is otherwise detrimental to the national economy, public health or public order.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
The Minister may, when necessary, arrest an expatriate in respect of whom a court has issued a verdict of deportation or repatriation for a thirty-day period renewable for a similar period(s).<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
If a court verdict of deportation, departure or repatriation has been issued but is difficult to enforce, the Minister may, in lieu of arrest, require the Expatriate to stay in a certain place for a two-week period renewable for a similar period(s). The Expatriate in question shall report to the security department, where the said place is located, at the times stated in the order issued in respect thereof, up to the time that he/she is deported or repatriated.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
An Expatriate in respect of whom a verdict of deportation, departure or repatriation has been delivered by the court, may not return to the State of Qatar except by ministerial resolution.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Expatriates who fail to obtain a residence permit or whose permit has expired shall leave the country. They may return if they satisfy the entry requirements specified in these provisions.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Subject to the provision of an acceptable guarantee, a renewable period of grace of no more than ninety days may be granted by the Minister or his appointed deputy to an Expatriate under order of deportation or departure who possesses interests that require a period of time to settle.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Entry and Residence of Certain Categories
Notwithstanding the provision of Article 18, the Minister may issue visas and grant residence permits without a sponsor for the following categories of person:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
1. investors, subject to the provisions of Law No. 13 of 2000: Regulating the Investment of Non-Qatari Capital in the Economy;
2. owners and beneficiaries of real property or residence units; and
3. any other categories identified by a resolution of the Council of Ministers.
The granting of residence permits to the categories referred to in the preceding Article is subject to the applicant’s satisfying the following requirements:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
1. to submit documents in support of the application;
2. to be of good repute and well-mannered; and
3. to pass the prescribed medical examination in accordance with the appropriate system.
Residence permits shall be valid for five years renewable for a similar period(s).<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Residence, without any requirement related to employment, may be granted to the spouse, children and parents of the residence permit holder. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
The residence permit holder may leave the country during the validity of the residence permit without a permit or authorization.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
The residence permit holder may not deviate from the purpose for which his residence permit was issued except on the permission of the competent authority.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Where the residence permit has expired or its renewal has been refused, the Minister or his appointed deputy may grant the residence permit holder and his family members a period of grace within which to leave the country of no more than ninety days from the expiry date of the residence permit or the date that renewal was refused.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
The residence permit granted to a person shall be cancelled in the following cases:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
1. if it is proved that it was obtained on the basis of false information or documents; or
2. if the holder’s residence in the country threatens the internal or external security and safety of the State or is detrimental to the national economy, public health or public order; or
3. if, without permission from the competent authority, the holder deviates from the purpose for which the residence permit was issued.
In case of recidivism, an imprisonment of no less than fifteen days and no more than three years shall be rendered and a fine of no less than twenty thousand Qatari Riyals and no more hundred thousand Qatari Riyals shall be imposed, and the convict shall be deemed a recidivist if he commits a similar crime within one year of the date the punishment rendered against him is over or the forfeiture thereof by the lapse of duration thereof. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
A penalty of not more than three years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of not more than fifty Qatari Riyals shall be incurred by any person who is in breach of any provision of Articles 2, 3, 10/Paragraph 2, 11, 15/Paragraphs 1 and 5, 39/ Paragraph 2 and 48 of these regulations. In the case of re-offending, a penalty of not less than fifteen days’ and not more than three years’ imprisonment shall be imposed and a fine of not less than twenty thousand Qatari Riyals and not more than a hundred thousand Qatari Riyals shall be imposed, and the defendant shall be deemed a recidivist if he commits a similar crime within one year of the end of the term of imprisonment or due to the lapse of time.
A fine of not more than ten thousand Qatari Riyals shall be incurred by anyone who is in breach of any provision of Articles 5/ Paragraph 1, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 17/ Paragraph 1.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
The fine penalty rendered with respect to any of the offences set forth herein may not be suspended.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Without prejudice to the provisions of the international agreements whereto the State is party, the following categories of person shall be excluded from the application of these provisions: <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
1. Presidents of foreign countries, members of their family and accompanying staff;
2. Heads and members of diplomatic missions, foreign consulates and international organizations approved by the State, attachés, administrative staff and their families, their subordinates and formal delegations;
3. Masters of civilian ships, aircraft pilots and crew entering the State carrying passports or travel documents from the State competent authorities after obtaining entry permits, and
4. Any person the Minister deems fit to exclude for reasons of reciprocity or compliment or in the public interest. The Minister of Foreign Affairs shall, by issuing a resolution, determine the conditions on which entry visas and residence permits or exemption therefrom shall be issued with regard to the categories stated in Items 1 and 2 of this Article.
The Minister shall issue the Executive Regulations and relevant resolutions for the enforcement thereof, and the regulations and resolutions currently applicable shall remain in force without conflicting with the provisions hereof until the Executive Regulations and relevant resolutions are issued.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Laws No. 3 of 1963, 8 of 1983, 3 of 1984, 2 of 2006 as well as Decree-law No. 20 of 1998 referred to above shall be repealed.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
All competent authorities, each within its own competence, shall implement the present Law which shall be published in the official Gazette.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />