Articles
What new rules mean in practice, what changed this month, and practical reads and comparisons to help you decide. Every article lists its sources and links to the step-by-step guides.
Qatar's 2026 Labour Law changes: what Law No. 9 of 2026 means for workersLaw No. 9 of 2026 tightens enforcement, licenses some jobs, extends non-compete clauses to two years, sets strike rules and speeds up labour complaints. Notice periods, gratuity, hours and the minimum wage were not changed.Qatar's 14-day rule: how long you can stay after your residence permit endsSince June 2026 you must leave Qatar within 14 days of your residence permit being cancelled, down from 30, or pay QAR 10 a day. Whether the same 14 days applies when a permit simply expires is not clear, so act fast either way.Qatar rent law changes 2026 (Law No. 8): what tenants and landlords must knowSince 3 September 2026, registering a lease in Qatar costs a flat QAR 250 per unit, and every landlord–tenant dispute must go to the Rental Dispute Settlement Committee before any court. Appeals go to the Court of Appeal within 15 days.Qatar's new private school fee policy: what parents can expect from 2027–28From the 2027–28 school year, private school fee rises in Qatar need Ministry approval under a published policy: they are tied to academic quality, capped, split over two years if above 5%, and can take up to 18 months to take effect.Fawran and Himyan in 2026: how Qatar is going cashless, and what it means for youFawran transfers in June 2026 were worth QAR 6.745bn, up 145% on a year earlier, and the national Himyan card now works in Apple Pay, Samsung Wallet, Kuwait, Bahrain and, step by step, Saudi Arabia. Fawran is still Qatar-only and cannot be reversed, so the safety rules matter more than ever.Gulf travel from Qatar in 2026: the visa changes residents should knowKuwait now gives GCC residents with 6+ months' residency a visa on arrival, Qataris visit Canada with an eTA, and the Himyan card works in Bahrain and, gradually, Saudi Arabia. The single GCC tourist visa is still not live: in September 2026 the GCC said only that it is coming 'soon', with no date.Qatar's Civil HR Law changes (Law 25 of 2025): what's new for government staffSince 7 October 2025, government staff in Qatar get 10 days' emergency leave, three months' paid maternity leave and increments of up to 150% based on new rating bands. Many allowances are for Qataris only, and non-Qatari overtime is capped at QAR 5,000 a month.Selling on Instagram or WhatsApp in Qatar: do you need an e-commerce licence?If you sell regularly for profit through Instagram, a website or another online platform, Decision No. 25 of 2026 says you need a MOCI e-commerce licence (QAR 500 per platform). Occasional sales of your own personal things are excluded.Qatar's drone law (Law No. 10 of 2026) explained for flyers and visitorsLaw No. 10 of 2026 requires every drone in Qatar to be registered and every operator to be licensed, with penalties of up to 7 years in prison and/or QAR 300,000. The detailed rules for hobby flyers are not out yet, so for now you can fly only in the Metrash zones at set hours.
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