Your quick guide on talent and labor compliance norms in Qatar
Capital
Doha
Currency
Qatari Rial
Languages
Arabic, English
Payroll Frequency
Monthly
GDP per Capita
$85,754
Employer Tax
10%
Talent Overview
Qatar, an independent emirate on the Persian Gulf’s west coast, built its robust fiscal health on oil and gas exports. The country has extraordinarily high human development, ranked third in the world.
Major economic hubs:
Doha
Skills in demand:
Construction Related Occupations, Hospitality and Tourism, Healthcare Occupations, Media and Public Relations, Oil and Petroleum, Science, Technology, Engineers, and Math (STEM)
Local Universities
The top local universities in Qatar are as follows:
Local: 1
World : 1310
Local: 2
World : 2550
Local: 3
World : 4308
Local: 4
World : 4679
Local: 5
World : 6284
Salary Data
| Job Title | Average Monthly Salary (QAR) | Average Monthly Salary (USD) |
| Accountant | 10,400 | 2,857 |
| Financial Analyst | 20,100 | 5,521 |
| Graphic Designer | 9,110 | 2,502 |
| Business Analyst | 19,000 | 5,219 |
| Project Manager | 17,500 | 4,807 |
| Developer/Programmer | 14,200 | 3,901 |
Talent Sourcing Tips
Linkedin, Indeed, Bayt.com, Jobs in Qatar, QatarLiving.com
1,294,000
AI Noof, People Dynamics, Michael Page, CBS Butler, Cappo, Adecco, Barclay Simpson, Clarendon Parker International,
The Qatar government ensures the well-being of local and guest workers. This section provides the basics of preparing for hiring talents in Qatar.
A written form of employment agreement between an employee and an employer is not mandated by law in the country. Employers may have contracts in English, but the Qatar Ministry of Labor only acknowledges contracts written in Arabic as valid.
| Date | Name | Type |
| 13 Feb | National Sports Day | Public holiday |
| 10 Apr | Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date) | Public holiday |
| 11 Apr | Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date) | Public holiday |
| 12 Apr | Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date) | Public holiday |
| 17 Jun | Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) (Tentative Date) | Public holiday |
| 18 Jun | Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date) | Public holiday |
| 19 Jun | Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date) | Public holiday |
| 18 Dec | National Day | Public holiday |
Payroll
Payroll Cycle
Qatar Law specifies that workers working on monthly salaries must be paid at least once a month. All other workers’ salaries must be paid at least once every two weeks.
Minimum Wage
The current minimum wage in Qatar is QAR 1,800.00 per month.
Overtime Pay
When the agreed-upon regular working hours have exceeded, the extra time is considered overtime work and the worker is paid as follows:
Bonus
In Qatar, it is not legally required to give a 13th month bonus.
Labor laws in Qatar ensure that employees are well covered through their statutory benefits, but employers can go above and beyond the mandatory benefits to give their employees more perks.
Taxes
| Type of Contribution | Contribution |
| Pension | 14% |
| Type of Contribution | Contribution |
| Pension | 7% |
Personal income is not taxed in Qatar.
There is no VAT in Qatar.
Offboarding & Termination
The termination process varies depending on the terms of the Employment Agreement in place between the employee and employer.
Employees’ seniority determines the length of notice period in Qatar. The notice period for employees receiving salary on annual and monthly basis are as follows:
| Term of employment | Notice period |
| Above 1 year and less than 5 years | 30 days |
| Over 5 years | 60 days |
To be entitled to severance payment, one needs to give one year of continuous service. The sum is based on the employee’s final wage. An amount equal to at least three weeks of the employee’s final basic wage for every year of service is considered the adequate severance pay.
Visa and Immigration
Employees needing to work in Qatar for a short period of time must get a work permit, which varies depending on the type of work. All employees, besides Qatar and GCC nationals, must have a residence visa and work permit sponsored by their employer (which must have an entity established in Qatar) to legally work and settle in Qatar.
When the agreed-upon regular working hours have exceeded, the extra time is considered overtime work and the worker is paid as follows:
| Overtime period | Compensation Rate |
| On regular working hours | Premium of 25% |
| Night work (9pm-3am) | Premium of 50% |
| On Public holidays and designated off days | Premium of 150% |
Overtime hours should not exceed a maximum of two hours a day.
