Qatar’s Ministry of Labour provides an electronic service allowing eligible expatriate workers residing in the country to request a change from their current employer to a new employer. Under the country’s labour mobility reforms, workers are no longer generally required to obtain a No Objection Certificate from their previous employer before changing jobs.

However, this freedom to move between employers remains subject to applicable legal procedures, including contractual notification requirements, administrative review and the completion of employment and residency formalities.

The legal framework was significantly changed through Law No. 19 of 2020, which removed the former No Objection Certificate requirement for changing employers. Under the relevant provisions of Qatar’s Labour Law, workers who have completed their probationary period must generally provide one month’s written notice when they have worked for their employer for two years or less. The notice period increases to two months when their employment exceeds two years. Different provisions may apply during probation, while documented agreements or certain legally recognized circumstances can affect how the notice obligation is handled.

According to Qatar’s official Hukoomi government portal, workers can submit employer change applications through the Ministry of Labour’s electronic services using the National Authentication System, known as Tawtheeq. Applicants must provide the relevant information about the worker and the prospective employer and submit the request for examination. The official service requires all three parties—the worker, current employer and prospective employer—to have registered national addresses. The worker’s mobile number must also be registered in their own name and associated with their Qatar identification record.

Additional eligibility conditions apply to both workers and prospective employers. The worker must hold a work-related residence status, must not be subject to a restriction preventing an employer change, and must not have another employer change application under review. For company-based applications, the prospective employer’s establishment registration must remain active, with no restrictions preventing the company from using the service. Applications may be submitted by the worker or the prospective employer, provided that the relevant authentication and authorization requirements have been satisfied.

The Ministry of Labour’s application service is listed as free of charge on the official government portal. However, workers and employers should distinguish this free application from separate Ministry of Interior transactions that may carry their own government fees. Following examination of the employer change request, the parties must comply with the applicable notice arrangements, complete the new employment contract and finalize the required changes to government records before the worker begins employment with the new organization. Submitting an application alone should not be interpreted as permission to start a new job immediately.

Qatar’s Labour Law also provides consequences for failing to observe the applicable notice period. Where employment is terminated without the required notice, compensation may be payable based on the worker’s basic wage for the unserved notice period or its remaining portion. An agreed waiver of notice may be taken into account when supported by appropriate documentation. Workers can monitor the progress of their applications using their Qatar ID number and application reference through the official government inquiry service. They may also contact the Ministry of Labour’s hotline at 16505 for guidance on their individual circumstances.

Source: Qatar Ministry of Labour — Hukoomi Government Portal — Qatar Labour Law and Amendments.