Finding a job in Qatar

Who this is for

People living outside Qatar who want to work here, residents who want to find or change a job, and Qatari citizens looking for work. It gives the general picture only; the detailed employer steps are in our guide 'Work permits, employment contracts and changing jobs'.

Before you start

• An up-to-date CV and copies of your academic and experience certificates.
• Certificates issued abroad attested in the country that issued them and by the Qatari mission there, before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar can attest them.
• For a degree from abroad: an equivalency decision from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, if the job or platform asks for one.
• If you live in Qatar: a valid Qatar ID and a mobile number registered under your own ID, which the Ministry of Labour e-services need.
• A National Authentication System (Tawtheeq) account to use the Ministry of Labour individuals' portal.

Steps

1. Understand that the employer comes first

   To work in Qatar from abroad, you first need a job offer. The employer then gets a labour recruitment approval from the Ministry of Labour and applies for your work visa with the Ministry of Interior. After you arrive, the employer completes your residence permit. You cannot arrange a work visa by yourself. Our guide 'Work permits, employment contracts and changing jobs' explains each step.

2. Get your certificates ready

   Employers and official platforms often ask for attested certificates. For academic certificates issued abroad, have them attested in the issuing country and by the Qatari mission there, then apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar online or in person. A bachelor's degree needs its transcript. For a foreign university degree, you may also need equivalency from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

3. Use the official platforms that fit you

   Qatari citizens and children of Qatari mothers can register on Kawader, the unified national recruitment platform, by activating an account with their QID and certificates and then applying for jobs. The Ministry of Labour has also announced Ouqoul, a platform linking expatriate graduates of universities in Qatar with private-sector employers. Private job websites also exist; this guide does not list or rank them.

4. Check any offer before you act

   Visas are issued by the Ministry of Interior, and you can track a visa's approval online with the application number. Employment contracts are attested on the Ministry of Labour system, where workers can review the terms in one of 11 languages and accept or reject the contract. If an offer cannot be checked through these official channels, treat it with caution.

5. Changing jobs as a resident

   If you hold a work residence permit, you can move to a new employer without a no-objection certificate. You or the new employer submit the change request online to the Ministry of Labour, free of charge. Your phone number must be registered in your name, there must be no ban on you and no other change request in progress. The national address of everyone involved must be registered.

6. Residents on a family visa

   If you live in Qatar under a family member's sponsorship, a private or joint-stock company that wants to hire you applies to the Ministry of Labour for a work permit for you. The company submits the application and documents online.

7. Report problems and scams

   Workers, citizens and companies can file a complaint against an employer covered by the Labour Law on the Ministry of Labour's Unified Platform for Complaints and Whistleblowers, at any time and free of charge. Suspected fraud or online crime can be reported to the Ministry of Interior's Economic and Cyber Crimes Combating Department through the Metrash app (Security Window, then Security Complaint).

Useful numbers and apps

• Ministry of Labour hotline 16505 Source
• Ministry of Labour (landline) +974 4406 8979 Source
• Ministry of Labour email info@mol.gov.qa Source
• Kawader hotline 16008 Source
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation department 4011 1188 Source
• Government Contact Center 109 Source

Good to know

• Qatar amended its Labour Law in 2026 (Law No. 9 of 2026). The Ministry of Labour says the changes cover areas such as oversight of recruitment agencies, part-time and freelance work, non-compete clauses and wage protection. Check the ministry for the rules that apply to you.
• The Kawader platform asks for certificates obtained outside Qatar to be equivalent, so start the equivalency early.
• Use the Ministry of Labour e-services with the mobile number linked to your own QID; the one-time password is sent to that number.
• Qatar has announced Qatar Visa Centres in several countries in Asia. Their aim is to speed up recruitment and help protect workers from exploitation in their home countries.