Travellers to Qatar face up to three years in jail over illegal visa deals

Qatar's Ministry of Interior (MoI) has reminded employers and expatriates that illegal visa trading can lead to imprisonment for up to three years and fines of up to QR50,000 for a first offence, rising to QR100,000 for repeat violations. The warning was issued at a webinar held on 15 October 2026 by the Search and Follow-up Department, which covered violations of Law No. 21 of 2015 regulating the entry, exit and residence of expatriates in Qatar.

Key facts

• Illegal visa trading: up to three years in prison and fines of up to QR50,000 for a first offence, QR100,000 for repeat violations.
• Notification failures: fines of up to QR50,000 where employers do not inform the competent authorities within the prescribed 14-day period.
• Residence permit delays: fines of up to QR10,000 if issuance or renewal is not completed within a period that must not exceed 90 days from the permit's expiry.
• Who enforces it: the Search and Follow-up Department, operating under the General Directorate of Passports.

What is being penalised?

Major Saud Hamad Alburaidi, Head of the Detention Section, said the department is responsible for enforcing the law and handling cases involving violations of entry, exit and residency regulations. He set out the penalties for several specific breaches.

Employers who allow workers they have recruited to work for other entities, or who employ workers they have not recruited, face imprisonment for up to three years and fines of up to QR50,000 for a first offence, increasing to QR100,000 for repeat violations. Employers who fail to notify the competent authorities within the prescribed 14-day period in specified cases may be fined up to QR50,000.

Separately, employers who do not complete residence permit issuance or renewal procedures within the stipulated timeframe — a period that must not exceed 90 days from the permit's expiry — may face fines of up to QR10,000.

What does the department handle?

The department receives complaints relating to workers leaving their jobs and to violations of visa conditions, processes transactions within its remit, and receives individuals who voluntarily surrender themselves over legal violations and wish to leave the country.

It also monitors expatriates who overstay their entry visas or fail to renew their residence permits on time. The Departure Section is responsible for arranging the departure of individuals subject to deportation orders and others referred through the relevant procedures.

What this means for travellers

Major Alburaidi urged employers to document employment contracts, provide adequate accommodation, complete residence permit procedures within the prescribed deadlines, and comply with regulations governing the employment of expatriates. Expatriates in Qatar should keep their entry visas and residence permits valid, and anyone in the country in violation of the rules can surrender themselves to the department if they wish to leave.

The MoI set out the penalties as part of an awareness webinar rather than a change to entry requirements; no new rules or deadlines were announced.