Qatar Exit Permit: Do You Still Need One to Leave?
Qatar scrapped the exit permit for most workers years ago, but a small group still needs one, and a travel ban can stop you even without one. Here's who is actually affected.
Many people still believe they need their employer's permission to leave Qatar, and search results still mix old and new rules. This guide was rebuilt in September 2026 from official Hukoomi services and news reports on the law changes. We say which points come from a primary source and which come from reports.
What changed, and when
Reports on Law No. 13 of 2018, including the Gulf Labour Markets and Migration program, say it amended Law No. 21 of 2015 on the entry, exit, and residence of expatriates. It replaced Article 7 so that an expatriate worker covered by Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 may leave the country temporarily or permanently at any time during the employment contract without an exit permit.
The Peninsula reported on 16 January 2020 that a further reform, made through a ministerial decision, freed expatriates in government bodies and public institutions, oil and gas, maritime, agricultural, and other temporary work from needing prior approval. It also reported that domestic workers subject to Law No. 15 of 2017 could leave temporarily or permanently, with a requirement to notify the employer at least 72 hours before departure.
The exceptions that remain
Both reports say employers may designate up to 5 percent of their workforce whose departure still needs prior approval, because of the nature of their work. The employer must apply, with reasons and a list of names, to the labour ministry. The Peninsula also reported that members of the armed forces remain excluded from the reform.
| Group | Exit permit needed? | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Workers covered by the Labour Law | No, except designated staff | Law No. 13 of 2018, as reported |
| Staff designated by the employer, up to 5 percent of the workforce | Yes, prior approval | Law No. 13 of 2018, as reported |
| Domestic workers | No, but 72 hours notice to the employer | The Peninsula, 16 Jan 2020 |
| Members of the armed forces | Excluded from the reform | The Peninsula, 16 Jan 2020 |
A correction to what you may have read
An earlier version of this page, and many websites, say domestic workers still need an exit permit. The 2020 report we found says they do not, though they must give 72 hours notice. We could not read the ministerial decision itself, so if you are a domestic worker or employer, confirm the current rule with the Ministry of Labour.
How to find out if you are one of the 5 percent
Your employer is the party that designates staff, so ask HR whether you are on a list. We could not confirm from an official page the exact way an individual can check this, and we found no Hukoomi service for it. Some websites say you can check on the Ministry of Interior portal, but we could not verify that.
Travel bans are a separate issue
Not needing an exit permit does not mean nothing can stop you. Hukoomi's Inquire About Travel Ban service says citizens and residents can find out whether a travel ban circular exists against them so they can settle it with the competent authority before leaving. It is free. Hukoomi's steps are:
1. Log in with your smartcard to the Ministry of Interior e-services portal.
2. Choose the transaction type: personal for a smartcard owner, or company name for an authorized person.
3. Click Inquiry, then Travel Ban Inquiry.
4. Use the List of Travel Ban Circulars page to see the circulars recorded on your ID number and the entities that issued them.
If there are none, the system displays a message saying so. The page does not list what kinds of matters produce a circular, so we do not guess. If a circular appears, contact the entity that issued it, since Hukoomi says to settle it through the competent authority.
Before you travel or leave for good
Check for a travel ban before you book a ticket, especially if you have any dispute, debt, or legal case. If you are leaving Qatar permanently, our guide on canceling your residence permit when leaving for good covers the wider process. For unpaid fines that could matter, see our guide to checking and paying traffic fines. For visa types, see our overview of Qatar visas.
Common mistakes
- Asking your employer for permission to leave when the law does not require it, and losing time.
- Assuming domestic workers still need an exit permit.
- Assuming that no exit permit means no restriction, and not checking for a travel ban.
- Waiting until the airport to find out about a circular.
What we could not verify
- The text of the ministerial decision and the current Article 7 wording, from an official source.
- How an individual can check whether they are on an employer's 5 percent list.
- The causes that lead to a travel ban circular.
- Whether free zone employees follow different exit rules. An earlier version suggested so, and we found no source, so we removed it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an exit permit to leave Qatar?
Most workers do not. Law No. 13 of 2018 removed it for workers covered by the Labour Law, though employers can designate up to 5 percent of staff who need prior approval.
Do domestic workers need an exit permit in Qatar?
The Peninsula reported in January 2020 that they do not, but must notify the employer at least 72 hours before leaving. Confirm the current rule with the Ministry of Labour.
How do I check if I have a travel ban in Qatar?
Log in to the Ministry of Interior e-services portal with your smartcard, choose Inquiry, then Travel Ban Inquiry, and view the List of Travel Ban Circulars. Hukoomi lists it as free.
How do I know if my employer requires my exit permit?
Employers designate up to 5 percent of staff, so ask HR. We could not confirm an official way for an individual to check this themselves.
Can I be stopped from leaving Qatar even without an exit permit requirement?
Yes, if a travel ban circular is recorded against your ID. Check before you travel and settle it with the issuing authority.
Sources & references
Agha Ali Abbas
Founder & Editor
More on Visa
Explore everything you need to know about qatar visa.
Related articles
Types of Qatar Visas, Explained
Tourist, business, family visit, work, and family residence: which Qatar visa applies to you, where each is applied for, and the fees and limits the official pages state.
Qatar Family Visa: Sponsorship Guide
Exactly what you need to sponsor a spouse or children in Qatar, from the salary threshold to the documents most people forget.
How to Cancel Your Qatar Residence Permit When Leaving for Good
The actual order of operations for leaving Qatar permanently, from canceling dependents' permits first to the short window after cancellation before daily fines are reported to start.