Qatar Work Visa (Permit) Transfer: How to Transfer Your Work Permit?

Last updated: Apr 28, 2026

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Qatar work permit transfer rules in 2026

In Qatar, transferring your work permit to a new employer within the local labour market is possible, and the process has been considerably simplified since the labour reforms of Law No. 18 of 2020 and Law No. 19 of 2020.

Under those reforms, non-Qatari workers no longer need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their current employer to switch jobs.

The transfer is facilitated electronically by the Ministry of Labour (MoL) and is applicable to:

Private sector workers covered by Labour Law No. 14 of 2004
Domestic workers
Agricultural and grazing workers
Fishermen

There are no fees charged by the MoL for the employer change service, and a new Qatar ID issued under the new employer is also free of charge.

How to transfer your Qatar work permit?

Transferring your work permit in Qatar involves several steps to ensure compliance with the Labour Law and a smooth transition between employers. Below is a detailed guide on how to navigate the transfer process as of April 2026.

Eligibility

Before initiating the transfer process, ensure that you meet the following eligibility criteria:

You currently hold a valid residency permit under the “work” category.
There are no bans or legal restrictions imposed on either you or the establishment that would block the service.
The new employer’s commercial registration with the MoL is active and valid.
You do not have another employer change application under review at the time of submission.
Your mobile phone number is registered under your name and linked to your Qatar ID (QID).
No non-compete clause or restriction relating to a competing entity applies to you.

For applications submitted through the Establishments Portal, only authorised signatories may apply, and they must use a smart card to verify their identity via the National Authentication System (Tawtheeq / NAS).

Required documents

To process your work permit transfer, you will typically need the following:

Qatar ID (QID) number: Your valid QID number is essential for identification purposes.
Mobile phone number: A mobile number registered under your name and linked to your QID, used for communication and verification.
Signed “Change Employer” form: A copy of the form available on the MoL website, signed by you and signed and stamped by the new employer (a private-household employer’s signature alone is sufficient where the new role is in a private household).
New employment contract details: The new employer will record the contract through the MoL’s Digital Authentication System for Multi-lingual Employment Contracts.

Application process

Follow these steps to apply for the transfer of your work permit:

Visit the service information page on the Ministry of Labour’s website.
Click on the “Apply” button. Workers can log in through the Individuals Portal; authorised signatories of an establishment can use the Establishments Portal.
Log in via the National Authentication System (NAS) using your QID and registered mobile number, or — for an establishment user — your smart card credentials.
Select the employer change service from the list of available services.
Fill in the required details accurately, including personal information, current employment details, and information about the new employer, and upload the signed “Change Employer” form.
Review and submit the application. An Employer Change (EC) number will appear on screen confirming successful submission. keep this number to track your application.

What happens next:

Approval workflow:
- If the new employer initiated the request, you will receive a notification to approve the contract details.
- If you initiated the request, the new employer will fill in and approve the contract details, after which you confirm your acceptance.
The MoL formally notifies your current employer of the intended change. The current employer may submit comments for the Ministry’s consideration, but is not required to grant approval.
The MoL reviews the application and, once approved, sends you an SMS confirming the change of employment and the end date of your notice period.
You must continue working with your current employer through the notice period, unless you and your current employer mutually agree to shorten it.
Once the notice period ends, the new employer authenticates your new contract through the MoL portal and submits a request for your new QID to the Ministry of Interior. Authentication must be completed within three months of the end of the notice period.

You can cancel your application at any point before approval through the MoL’s electronic system.

After approval but before the new contract is authenticated, you can still cancel by submitting a signed letter in Arabic to the Head of the Labour Relations Department, including the EC number, a copy of your QID, and your mobile number.

Processing time

The MoL does not publish a single fixed processing window for employer change applications, and the overall timeline depends on the statutory notice period that applies to your case.

If you have worked with your current employer for two years or less, the notice period is one month.
If you have worked with your current employer for more than two years, the notice period is two months.

Both you and the new employer will receive SMS status updates from the MoL during the process.

The new employer then has up to three months from the end of the notice period to complete the contract authentication and update your residency with the MoI.

Sources

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