The measures were announced on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, as part of the ministry’s continuing efforts to regulate the recruitment of workers from abroad, strengthen compliance with labour legislation and protect the rights of parties involved in recruitment arrangements. The announcement concerns two specifically identified offices rather than a nationwide suspension of recruitment agencies.

The ministry confirmed that Special Manpower Supply Recruitment Office had its licence revoked under Minister of Labour Decision No. 49 of 2026. Riviera Manpower Supply Recruitment Office was affected by a separate decision, No. 48 of 2026. Both decisions were issued in accordance with Qatar’s Labour Law and the regulations governing the recruitment of foreign workers on behalf of employers and other authorised clients.

In its announcement, the Ministry of Labour reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening oversight of the labour market and ensuring that recruitment service providers comply with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements. The ministry explained that its continuing efforts are intended to improve the efficiency and reliability of recruitment services while safeguarding the rights of all parties involved in recruitment activities and related contractual arrangements.

An important distinction is that the official announcement did not provide a detailed explanation of the individual reasons for cancelling either office’s licence. It also did not identify particular financial penalties, criminal accusations or judicial rulings against the establishments or their owners. Although Qatar’s recruitment regulations provide for licensing enforcement in specified circumstances, the ministry did not publicly establish which particular grounds applied to either of the two offices in this announcement.

The development follows the publication of Minister of Labour Decision No. 61 of 2026, which establishes requirements and procedures for licensing the recruitment of workers from abroad on behalf of third parties. The regulation was published in the Official Gazette issued on October 25, 2026, and sets out conditions for recruitment businesses, their ongoing obligations, financial guarantees and the circumstances in which licences may be suspended or revoked.

Among the requirements outlined in the published regulatory framework are the need for recruitment offices to have independent, permanent premises and appropriate commercial authorisation. The rules also establish eligibility requirements for applicants, owners and responsible managers, together with requirements concerning suitable accommodation for recruited workers before they are handed over to employers or otherwise dealt with under the relevant arrangements.

The regulatory framework includes a financial guarantee requirement of QAR 750,000 for approved licence applicants, subject to the specified payment deadline and conditions governing the guarantee’s validity. These provisions help explain the broader legal environment in which recruitment businesses operate. However, they should not be interpreted as evidence that either of the recently closed offices failed to provide the required guarantee or breached another particular licensing condition, since the ministry has not disclosed those details.

For citizens, residents and employers who use recruitment agencies, the announcement highlights the importance of checking whether an office holds a valid licence before entering into an agreement or making payments. An establishment that previously provided recruitment services should not automatically be assumed to remain authorised after a formal licence cancellation. Verifying the current licensing status through the competent authorities is therefore an important precaution.

Individuals who have existing agreements, outstanding recruitment requests or unresolved payments involving either office should seek clarification directly from Qatar’s Ministry of Labour. The announcement did not specify how pending applications, previously signed contracts or amounts already paid would be handled. Consequently, it would be premature to claim that customers automatically qualify for a particular refund, compensation arrangement or transfer procedure without additional official guidance.

The closure decisions reinforce the ministry’s stated commitment to oversight of the recruitment sector and the protection of parties involved in hiring workers from abroad. As of Wednesday, November 4, 2026, the confirmed development is that Special Manpower Supply and Riviera Manpower Supply have had their licences revoked under Decisions No. 49 and 48 respectively, and that both offices have been closed. Any further details about the individual grounds for cancellation or pending customer arrangements would require additional official announcements.

Source: Qatar Ministry of Labour – Al Sharq – Lusail – The Peninsula, November 3, 2026.