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The Gulf Expat

Can I resign during probation in Qatar?

Yes. To move to another employer, give at least 1 month in writing. To leave Qatar, give the notice in your contract, up to 2 months (Art. 39).

Checked 22 October 2026

Get your datesEvery deadline as a date, from your last working day.

What to do now

  1. Pick the right notice: 1 month to move to another employer, your contract's notice to leave Qatar.
  2. Fill in the Qatar resignation letter and tick the probation box.
  3. Build your leaving plan for your final pay date.
See an example plan
Example only: an expat who resigned, with a last working day of 7 Nov 2026. Tap it to build your own.

What to ask HR

  1. When does my probation end?
  2. Will you confirm my last working day in writing?
  3. Which costs will you ask my new employer to repay?
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How probation works

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

Your employer can end the contract during probation too. It must tell you at least 1 month ahead (Art. 39).

Moving to another employer

Tell your current employer in writing at least 1 month before you go (Art. 39).

Your new employer then repays your old one's costs for your ticket and recruitment. The repayment is capped at 2 months' basic wage.

That cost falls on the new employer, not on you. Tell your new employer early, so the move is not held up.

Leaving Qatar

Give the notice agreed in your contract. It cannot be more than 2 months (Art. 39).

Once your residence permit is cancelled, you must leave within 90 days (Law 21/2015, Art. 24).

If you skip the notice

Whoever ends probation without the notice owes the other side compensation equal to the basic wage for it (Art. 39).

Gratuity

Gratuity needs 1 full year of service (Art. 54). Probation is at most 6 months, so leaving during it pays no gratuity.

You are still owed your wages up to your last day. Your employer must pay by the end of the next working day after the contract ends (Art. 67).

After probation

Once probation is over, Article 49 applies. You give 1 month in your first 2 years of work, and 2 months after.

Resigning after a full year keeps your whole gratuity (Art. 54).

Before you hand in your letter

  • Check your contract for your probation length and start date.
  • Agree a start date with your new employer that fits your notice.
  • Ask the Ministry of Labour how the move to your new employer works, and in what order.

Qatar's Social Insurance Law has no unemployment insurance, so plan the gap between jobs.