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The Gulf Expat

Starting a job in Qatar: what to check before you sign

  • Check the probation period, the contract term and your basic pay.
  • Probation can last up to 6 months, once only (Art. 39).
  • After a full year, your gratuity is at least 3 weeks' basic pay for each year (Art. 54).
  • Resigning does not reduce it.

Get your datesFor when this job ends: every deadline as a date.

Checked 21 October 2026

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Fixed-term or open-ended

A fixed-term contract can last up to 5 years (Art. 40). If you keep working after it ends without a renewal, it becomes open-ended.

Probation

Probation can last up to 6 months, and your employer can use it only once with you (Art. 39).

  • If your employer ends the job in probation, it gives you at least 1 month's notice.
  • To move to another employer in probation, give at least 1 month's written notice.
  • To leave Qatar in probation, give the notice agreed in your contract, up to 2 months.

Whoever skips the notice pays the other side the basic wage for it. More on Qatar probation.

The notice you will owe later

After probation, either side can end the contract without giving a reason, with written notice (Art. 49).

  • 1 month in your first 2 years of work.
  • 2 months after that.

Whoever skips it pays the basic wage for the notice. Leaving Qatar without keeping to it can block a new work permit for 1 year.

What you build up: gratuity

Gratuity starts once you complete 1 full year. It is at least 3 weeks' pay for each year, on your last basic pay (Art. 54).

Part years count in proportion. Your contract can give you more than this minimum.

Example: what each year of service in Qatar adds to your gratuityYear 1: adds QAR 5,600, total QAR 5,600QAR 5,600Yr 1Year 2: adds QAR 5,600, total QAR 11,200Yr 2Year 3: adds QAR 5,600, total QAR 16,800Yr 3Year 4: adds QAR 5,600, total QAR 22,400Yr 4Year 5: adds QAR 5,600, total QAR 28,000Yr 5Year 6: adds QAR 5,600, total QAR 33,600Yr 6Year 7: adds QAR 5,600, total QAR 39,200Yr 7After 7 years: QAR 39,200
Example: basic pay of QAR 8,000 a month, by year of service. Our figures take 3 weeks as 21 days and a day's pay as basic divided by 30. Nothing is paid before a full year. Ask the Ministry of Labour whether your probation counts as service.
See the numbers
YearAddsTotal
1QAR 5,600QAR 5,600
2QAR 5,600QAR 11,200
3QAR 5,600QAR 16,800
4QAR 5,600QAR 22,400
5QAR 5,600QAR 28,000
6QAR 5,600QAR 33,600
7QAR 5,600QAR 39,200

Resigning does not reduce it. Only a dismissal on one of the grounds in Article 61 removes it.

Unemployment insurance

Qatar's Social Insurance Law covers Qataris and has no unemployment insurance (Law 1/2022).

Check your contract

  • Probation: its length, up to 6 months, and only once with this employer.
  • Contract term: open-ended, or fixed for up to 5 years.
  • Basic pay, shown on its own, because gratuity and notice pay use it.
  • Notice: 1 month in your first 2 years, then 2 months, in writing.

Questions

How long is probation in Qatar?
Up to 6 months, once only with the same employer (Art. 39).
Can I change employer during probation in Qatar?
Yes, with at least 1 month's written notice to your employer (Art. 39).
Does resigning reduce my gratuity in Qatar?
No. Once you complete 1 year, resigning does not reduce it (Art. 54).

More on starting a job in Qatar