A law introducing new provisions regulating the entry, exit and residency requirements for all workers in Qatar today takes effect in Qatar.
The new measures come one year after the Amir of Qatar Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani signed the reforms into law.
The law abolishes the Kafala system and guarantees greater flexibility, freedom and protection to Qatar's more than 2.1m salaried workforce.
Under the new rules, freedom of movement is explicitly guaranteed. Expats have the right to leave the country after notifying the employer, whether to take leave or for an emergency.
Expats also have the right to permanently leave the country before or after completing the duration of their contract, after notifying the employer according to the terms of the contract.
If the employer rejects a leave request, the migrant worker can appeal to the Exit Permit Grievances Committee, which has to respond to all requests within 3 days.
The applicant will be able to leave the country unless he is wanted in connection to any active criminal proceedings, or has defaulted on any debt in Qatar that remains unsettled.
Expats will no longer need approval from their existing employer to change jobs if they complete the length of a fixed-term contract.
Individuals in open-ended contracts will also be able to change jobs without their existing employer's permission, provided that they complete a five-year service period.
All prospective migrant workers will be able to see a copy of their job contract, prior to leaving their country of origin, as obtaining a work visa will now require the existence of a job contract approved by the Ministry.
Employers found to have confiscated passports can be fined up to QR25,000 per worker. When enacted, this will be the toughest financial penalty against passport confiscation within the region.