The Ministry of Interior (MOI) announced the extension of the grace period for legalising the status of expatriates who violated the provisions of Law No 21 of 2015, regulating the entry and exit of expatriates and their residence. The extension is set until 31 March 2022.
The extension is in consideration of the interests of business owners and expatriate workers, who will still benefit from 50% reduction in the violation settlement amount within the grace period.
All violating expatriates or employers have to submit the settlement application to the Search and Follow-Up Department. Violators willing to transfer from one employer to another may also submit their application to the Search and Follow-Up Department or to any one of their service centres in Umm Salal, Al Rayyan, Mesaimeer, Al Wakra or Umm Senaim.
Settlement applications for issuance and renewal of residence permit under existing employer shall be submitted to any one of the service centres in Al Shamal, Al Khor, Al Daayen, Umm Salal, The Pearl, Onaiza, Souq Waqif, Al Rayyan, Umm Senaim, Al Shahaniya, Mesaimeer, Al Wakra or Dukhan.
The Search and Follow-Up Department and the service centres are accepting applications from 1 pm until 6 pm.
MOI urges employers and expatriates to adhere to the extended time frame to benefit from the settlement and avoid legal procedures against them.
READ ALSO: MOI Urges Violators to Take Advantage of Grace Period to Correct their Legal Status
Check out Marhaba’s FREE e-Guides to learn more about Living in Qatar.