Qatar offers amnesty to migrants without legal papers
Qatar has announced a three-month amnesty for foreign residents who do not have the right immigration documents.
From February 9, 2025, until May, people in this situation can leave the country without facing any penalties.
However, it is not yet clear if they will be allowed to fix their status and stay.
The Ministry of Interior said the amnesty applies to people who have broken Qatar’s immigration laws, including those who have overstayed their visas.
Those who want to leave can do so through Hamad International Airport, Migrant-Rights Org reports.
They can also visit the Search and Follow-up Department on Salwa Road to complete the exit process.
Many people moved to Qatar in recent years hoping to find jobs, especially after the country introduced the Hayya visa for the FIFA World Cup in 2022. However, some ended up working without proper permits, often because they paid large sums of money to recruiters who did not provide real jobs.
Sectors like hospitality, retail, and construction have slowed down, but recruitment agencies still bring in workers, leaving many in a difficult situation.
The last amnesty in Qatar was between October 2021 and April 2022.
During that time, workers could either apply for a new visa or leave the country by paying half of the penalties they owed.
More than 28,000 people applied at that time, allowing some to stay while others were sent home. However, workers who had been reported missing by their employers were not allowed to take part.
This time, it is not clear how many workers will apply for amnesty.
