The Global Phoenix - Issue 3 August 2017 | Page 39

QATAR
The richest nation in the region by per-
capita GDP, Qatar is also currently the most
controversial nation of the region. Sitting
in the eye of the ongoing diplomatic and
trade storm discussed above, Qatar’s
business climate is in a state of flux. Oil
and gas production, which are seemingly
unaffected by the boycott to this point,
continue to be the main drivers of the
economy. But significant investment by the
monarchy in new infrastructure has given
rise to small but growing manufacturing,
construction and finance sectors.
Scheduled to host the 2022 FIFA World
Cup, government decision-makers are also
aiming to use the event to springboard
increased revenue in tourism. The World
Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness
Index ranks Qatar 18th most attractive
for business in the world, just two spots
back from the UAE. However, the cloud
of the current Gulf crisis is likely to remain
for some months and bring a degree of
uncertainty to strategic business decisions
involving Qatar.
Immigration policy in Qatar has been on a recent
trend toward openness. A typical work authorisation
process for foreign nationals is quick for the region,
averaging 4 to 8 weeks. Recent developments in
corporate immigration include:
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Last December, the government made major
revisions to the ‘Kafala System’. Like most Middle
Eastern nations, Qatar has maintained laws which
give extensive control to employers over their
foreign workers through the work and exit visa
system. The recent reforms give more freedom
to foreign workers to leave or change employers
without fear of being denied new work or exit
visas and provide more guarantees of fair working
conditions;
In February, Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority
announced that all foreign nationals arriving
at the international airports in Doha, including
those with business and short-term work visas,
are required to present return air tickets or will be
denied entry;
Ongoing efforts to automate the Qatari
immigration system is gradually bringing
numerous improvements including online
application processing and faster visa issuance.
Obviously, the most immediate and significant corporate mobility issues in Qatar stem from the
ongoing boycott of the 16 nations. Qatari citizens are currently banned from travel and ineligible for
visas to many of the involved nations. In addition, non-Qatari citizens who hold Qatari residence may
also be denied visa-on-arrival entry to the UAE unless their home country’s passport entitles them
to visa-on-arrival. To date, Qatar has not issued similar bans on entry by citizens of the boycotting
nations travelling to Qatar.
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