How much notice do I give when I resign in Qatar?

The rule

Once probation is over, either side can end the contract with no reason given, by telling the other in writing (Art. 49):

• In the first and second year of work: 1 month.
• After the second year of work: 2 months.

Article 49 was amended. Older guides that say 1 month up to 5 years describe the cancelled text.

The amended article does not limit these periods to open-ended contracts.

Which one is yours

Count from your start date. If your second anniversary falls inside a 1-month notice, the safe choice is to give 2 months.

The Qatar resignation letter works this out from your start date and the letter date.

If you skip the notice

Whoever ends the contract without the notice pays the other side compensation. It equals your basic wage for the notice period, or what is left of it (Art. 49).

Leave the country without serving the notice, and as an expat you face a 1-year bar on a new work permit (Art. 49).

Your employer then has up to 7 days from the day you left to pay you (Art. 67).

On probation

• Moving to another employer: at least 1 month in writing (Art. 39).
• Leaving Qatar: whatever notice your contract agrees, capped at 2 months (Art. 39).

Leaving at once

Article 51 lets you leave without notice and keep your full gratuity in five cases. They are an employer breach, an assault or immoral act, fraud at hiring and serious danger. The fifth is a final committee decision in your favour.

Your gratuity

Resigning does not cut it (Art. 54). After 1 full year you get at least 3 weeks' last basic wage for each year.

Serving your notice keeps you in the job until your last day, so it all counts.

After your last day

Your employer pays everything by the end of the next working day after your contract ends (Art. 67).

Not paid? Ask the Ministry of Labour to settle it. Claims lapse 1 year after the contract ends, and filing pauses that clock (Arts. 10 and 115 bis).