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Get to Know What Your Qatar ID Number Means

For those planning to work in the Middle East or in Qatar to be exact, you will be required to have a Qatar ID card. This document comes along with a residence permit, which is usually applied for by your employer.

ALSO READ: Budget-Friendly Supermarkets in Qatar

These ID cards may simply come across to you as another government ID, but every resident and citizen in Qatar is required to have one, including children. It just goes to show that the national ID card is very important for anyone living in the country.

[Tip] Find Out What Your Qatari ID Number Means

The Qatar ID card allows holders access to a number of government regulated services such as applying for driving licences, opening bank accounts, as well as to gain admission to licensed premises. These ID cards are ‘smart card’ style, which enables the user to access a number of official online services, such as driving licence renewal, and also access the e-Gate system at Doha airport, which allows card holders to bypass the queues at immigration.

Given its importance to the residents of the country, did you ever wonder what the number in your ID card means?

In this short post, we will briefly discuss what the number means and how to read it accordingly.

As an overview, those numbers correspond to specific information about the holder, which allows government officials to determine their age and nationality, just by looking at their Qatar ID card.

Here’s a step-by-step explanation on how to read your Qatar ID number, typically referred to as IQAMA in Arabic:

Part 1: The first digit represents a year bracket which corresponds to the year you were born. For example, a “2” would mean that you were born in a year between 1990 to 1999; whereas a “3” would mean you were born in a year from 2000 onward.

Part 2: The second and third digits are the last two digits of your year of birth.

Part 3: The fourth, fifth, and sixth digits represent the ISO country code of where you originated from.

Part 4: The last five digits represent the sequence of the number of people from your country on the same birth year that entered Qatar.

For example, let’s decode the ID number [27612405934]:

Part 1: [2] – The holder is born between 1990 to 1999.

Part 2: [76] The card holder was born in 1976.

Part 3: [124] this number corresponds to the ISO country number of Canada

Part 4: [05934] The holder is the 5,934^th Canadian national born in 1976 to obtain a Qatar residency Permit.

See how useful that is? To illustrate further, you may refer to the guide image below for your reference:

Knowing this piece of information, you can easily determine one’s age and nationality just by looking at the Qatar ID Card, provided that you have access to ISO country codes to verify.

Qatar uses the ISO country code 3166 based on Numeric Country Codes.

ALSO READ: Qatar Do’s and Don’ts

How to Save Money When Eating Out in Doha

Living in or visiting Doha can be a great experience, but it can also be an expensive one. And while it’s important to check out the best of what a place has to offer, the experience need not be a stressful one when it comes to your budget.

ALSO READ: Budget-Friendly Supermarkets in Qatar

If that’s your concern, it’s nice to know that there are certain ways for us to stay within our budgets, while enjoying the experience of eating out in a beautiful city such as Doha.

Guide to Saving Money When Eating Out in Doha

Today, there are plenty of travel apps and websites that offer great discounts and promos when it comes to dining, accommodation, and entertainment, as well as must-try activities for your visit to a certain place.

In this post, we will share some great apps and websites that you can use when planning your stay in Doha, Qatar:

The Entertainer

If you’re big on spending on discounts and availing promos for various products, then you should consider downloading this paid app. Through this, you can get up to 10 notifications on discounts for every product you wish to have. There are over 2,300 Buy-One-Get-One offers at casual dining restaurants, cafes, fine dining, attractions, beauty and fitness, fashion, retail and services, among others.

The app costs QAR 375 on regular pricing and QAR 275 for its discounted price.

Urban Point

This is another app that you can subscribe to on a monthly basis without any pressure to commit to, as there is no annual subscription required. This means you are free to cancel anytime, but with new merchants offered every month, you might think otherwise. Score premium discounts that can be used over and over again at your favourite restaurant(s) and eat out to your heart’s content. Just be sure to get the app on your iPhone or Android mobile phone.

My Book Qatar

My Book Qatar comes in a physical book and a mobile app, which you both can use for checking offers from restaurants, entertainment amenities, spas, health & fitness, education, day-to-day services, and retail and hotels, among others.

With a collection of 300 partner merchants, My Book has 2-for-1 offers, which you can use up until the end of the year.

Note: Doha Bank and My Book have developed a partnership to offer a mobile app, ‘Doha Bank My Book Qatar’ on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Their Facebook page frequently posts special prices for the app and book.

Buygather

For those who are into collecting discount coupons, you can check out their website and register for FREE to gain access to a variety of deals, which you can use at various retail outlets, dining places, spas, entertainment packages (e.g. shows), and hotel accommodation in Qatar.

Qataridiscounts.com

Qatari Discounts is a one-stop website which offers promotions in Doha. This is a non-paid service website, which collates promos and discounts from most major supermarkets in Qatar.

Also, you can subscribe to their weekly newsletter (released every Thursday) for a list of places to shop at during weekends.

QGrabs

Check out daily deals on QGrabs’ website. Just sign up on their website and get the deal/s that you want. You will then be e-mailed your vouchers to some of Qatar’s restaurants, tours, events, hotels, salons, spas and retail shops.

QIC Advantage Club

QIC-insured members with full motor, home, or travel insurance policies are eligible to FREE membership at the QIC Advantage Club.

Members can enjoy unlimited redemptions, and a single membership can be shared among the whole family, and treat up to 12 friends with you.

D4D

The website and app offer special deals for all your daily needs, from your favourite supermarket to guiding you to your nearest hospital, pharmacy or doctor. Also, D4D points users to the nearest available bank and ATM from their current location.

One of the challenges to making memorable experiences is planning on how you can effectively utilize your money to take advantage of the best of what a place has to offer – even if it means doing a little bit of research and making some creative purchases.

ALSO READ: Qatar Do’s and Don’ts

Budget-Friendly Supermarkets in Qatar

One of the challenges (and benefits) of living overseas is independent living. Most of the time, living away from family and home pushes us to mature in thinking, become creative with our choices, and be more resourceful with our decisions.

ALSO READ: What is Halal and its Significance to Muslims?

On that note, while we become financially independent, much of the planning and budgeting of our expenses becomes a personal burden and responsibility only because we can’t depend on anyone else but ourselves. Having considered that, a little research as to where we can get value-for-money commodities will prove to be very handy in the long run. A good place to start is to narrow down our selection of places where we can get the most budget-friendly necessities – food and other personal use products.

List of Supermarkets in Qatar

In this post, we will share a list of the most budget-friendly supermarkets in Qatar for stocking your regular necessities at the most affordable prices.

What’s great about this list is that most (if not all) of these retail stores offer promos and discounts regularly for your shopping delight. These outlets even have several branches located in the country, so be sure to check out the ones nearest your location.

For most of us, a steady portion of our income goes to our food supplies and other personal use products. In order not to go over our budget, consider visiting stores that offer the most affordable prices for quality products. Check out these supermarkets and see what they have to offer:

Carrefour – known as the French supermarket that offers the most discounts and promos on a regular basis. To make your trip to the groceries more efficient, you can check out their leaflet online to see what products are on sale and for how long they’ll be available (or are on stock). As in any grocery store, you will find everything at Carrefour — from food, toiletries, cleaning items, and clothes, to electronic gadgets, among others.

You can find Carrefour branches near City Centre, Villagio, Landmark, Mall of Qatar, and Al Wakrah. You’d be interested to know that the Carrefour Market also offers freshly made products and other food items such as butcheries and fishes. Check out their branches in Ezdan Mall, Lagoona, Dar Alsalam, and Al Mirqab. Operation hours for both the hypermarket and market branches are from 8 am to 12 am from Saturday to Thursday. Meanwhile on Fridays, these stores are open from 8 am to 11 am, and 12:30 pm to 12 am.

LuLu Supermarket – yet another hypermarket widely popular in the Middle East, where you can find an extensive assortment of products. Usually, there is a designated floor for groceries and another for the department store. And where you can find almost everything you need under one roof, there are also a bunch of promotions and discounts up for grabs, so be sure to check their online catalogue before you pay them a visit.

You will find a dedicated grocery section where long, fully stacked aisles of affordable goods including fresh fruits, vegetables, and other baked products are up for sale. Because of this, it’s common to find long queues at the produce section, so be sure to maximize your time by checking out the other sections such as the department store where you can find toys, clothes, shoes, and other items at prices that are very affordable.

Furthermore, check out the brand’s very own frozen food, grocery food and non-food items, health and beauty, as well as the Ikon products.

You will find LuLu hypermart branches in Al Messila, D Ring Road, Gharaffa, Al Khor Mall, and Barwa City. Also, there is a LuLu Express in Qatar Foundation and LuLu Centre in Al Rayan. Regular shop time varies for each branch, so it’s best to check out their schedules before you make your trip.

Family Food Centre – While it’s a relatively smaller store compared to the previous two listed, the supermarket still offers a variety of products from grocery items and fresh produce, to household products for every customer’s needs. Check out their branches in Frij Al Nasr, Airport Road, Rayyann Road, and Al Kheesa. The store opens as early as 7:30 am from Saturday to Friday, except in its Al Kheesa branch.
Also worth noting is the Kabayan Supermarket located near Souq Waqif. Despite its smaller floor area, it offers a wide range of grocery items and specialty items including Filipino products. They also have fish and fresh produce sections. Visit their store anytime between 8 am to 11:30 pm.

If you’re on a tight budget or are looking for special products that you won’t be able to find elsewhere for the best prices, be sure to check out the above listed stores and their branches near your location. Happy hunting!

ALSO READ: Things to Know When Applying for Alcohol License in Qatar

Here’s What You Need to Know About Labour Leaves in Qatar

Whether you choose to work locally or overseas, it’s important to know that there are existing labour laws that you need to be familiar with, as these will help you make informed decisions on how you must proceed with your duties and responsibilities to your employer, without setting aside your rights as a employee.

ALSO READ: Why it’s Illegal to Work if You Have a Tourist/Visit Visa

And as there are specific provisions under Article 75 to 85 of the Qatar Labour Code which influence the employees’ working hours, it’s important that we also look into the official leaves which employees are entitled to for whatever reasons they have use for them.

[Labour Laws] What are the Official Leaves in Qatar?

The applicable leaves in a Muslim country such as Qatar differs slightly from non-Muslim countries because of the influence of Islamic traditions and rituals, which also affect workplace set-ups in most companies, if not all.

Here are the official leaves of employees in Qatar:

Annual Leaves
- Employees are entitled to the following annual leaves without any deductions on their compensation.
  - Eid al Fitr Leave (3 Working Days)
  - Eid Al Adha Leave (3 Working Days)
  - Independence Day Leave (1 Working Day)
  - Three (3) working days authorized by the employer

Note/s:

– If a worker has rendered one (1) continuous year of service, but less than five (5) years with a single employer, he/she will be entitled to an annual leave with pay for at least three (3) weeks. Meanwhile, those who have rendered service for five (5) continuous years are entitled to an annual leave with pay for at least four (4) weeks.

– The worker is allowed to take a leave for a fraction of the year in proportion to the period of his service.

– Also, the employer is empowered to do the following on his/her worker’s annual leave:

Set the dates of his/her employees’ annual leaves.
Split the leaves, provided that the employee agrees to it and the division is not more than two periods;
Delay the annual leave of the worker for not more than half of the annual leave to the year following the year of entitlement. This requires a written application of postponement from the employer.

– The worker does not have the option to waive his entitlement to his/her annual leave.

– If for any reason, the worker’s contract has been terminated even before he/she was able to take the leave, he/she is entitled to payment equivalent to his/her wage for the unused leave dates.

Sick Leave
- A worker is entitled to a sick leave with pay for every year he/she works with a company.
- A sick leave benefit may only be claimed by presenting a valid medical certificate issued by a physician and as approved by the employer.
- If the worker’s sick leave does not exceed two weeks, he/she must be paid with full compensation, but if the leave extends beyond four weeks, the worker would still get half the amount of the wage. If the leave is further extended, the worker would no longer be compensated unless he/she returns to work, resigns, or get terminated from service.
- If the leave extends up to twelve weeks, the employer can legally terminate the worker on grounds of a physician’s evaluation noting that the worker is no longer able to return to work from that point onward.
- If a worker decides to resign due to sickness (as certified by a physician) before the end of the 6th week of their absence, the worker is still entitled to payment of their sick leave balance from work. This also applies to a worker who dies before the end of the sixth week of their absence due to sickness.
- The above provisions do not affect the right of the worker for any compensation for the duration of their service while the sick leave for 12 weeks will not be considered as disruption to their service with the company.

Leave(s) for Muslim Workers
- Muslim workers are allowed to go on a leave without pay for not more than two weeks to fulfill their pilgrimage duty once during their period of service. Also, the employer reserves the right to decide on who will be granted with such leaves, giving priority to those who have longer tenure.

Other Provisions
- A worker on leave must not work for another employer during this period as this can be used as grounds for the employer to withhold or retrieve the wage issued to the worker, if found guilty.
- The employer cannot terminate the worker even if with due notification during their leave from work. Furthermore, the employer cannot notify the employee of their termination if the notice period lapses while the worker is on leave.

As employees, it is our duty to know and understand the terms and conditions of our contract as well as the governing labour laws in the country we are working in. Doing so will empower us to make informed decisions and to avoid being taken advantage of by others as well.

ALSO READ: Qatar Do’s and Don’ts

Things to Know When Applying for Alcohol License in Qatar

As you know, being a country in the Middle East, Qatar also follows Islamic rules, and therefore has a unique set of rules and laws regarding the purchase and consumption of alcohol.

ALSO READ: 6 Things to Know when Visiting the Middle East

As an expat, this is very important to understand, because the only way to purchase and consume alcohol in Qatar is by applying for a liquor permit. This permit is required to purchase several kinds of alcoholic beverages, but with discretion — as purchased liquor cannot be seen in public. Furthermore, a person can only purchase a certain amount of alcohol based on their monthly salary.

How to Apply for Alcohol License in Qatar

To know more about the guidelines and laws about alcohol in Qatar, continue to read below…

Laws Governing Alcohol Purchase and Consumption

It is illegal to import liquor into the country. All luggage is screened and inspected at the arrivals hall of Doha Airport.
Consuming alcohol in public or getting drunk is considered an offense. Those who will be caught doing either of these can be subject to deportation, fine, or imprisonment, whereas corporal punishment may be given to Muslims caught violating this law.
Transporting alcohol within the country is also prohibited, except for bringing it home after purchasing from the warehouse on the same day it was bought.
Offering alcohol to Muslims and minors is considered a crime.
Unauthorized selling or donating and sharing of alcohol is also not allowed.
OFWs based in Qatar can only get a hand on alcoholic beverages via a permit system. Licensed restaurants and hotels may sell alcohol to non-Muslim adult customers in restricted areas.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a crime punishable by law in Qatar. If caught by authorities, the violator may be detained for a month up to 3 years or be given a hefty fine or both. The offender may also be subject to deportation depending on the severity of the case. Those with existing charges under this law will not be allowed to leave the country until the case has been resolved.

Applying for an Alcohol Permit

The Qatar Distribution Company issues alcohol permits and application forms can be requested and filed in their shop. However, in order to enter the shop, a permit will be required. To file an application for the permit, you should provide a written letter which must be signed and stamped by an authorized person within your company or by your employer, and addressed to the Qatar Ditribution Company with the following information:

Your current position in the company
Your current basic salary. The minimum basic salary to be issued a permit is QAR 4,000 (or about USD 1,100).
Your place of accommodation, whether rented or freely sponsored
Your place of marriage (where applicable) and religion

Note: After filling out the application form, you will be required to settle a returnable deposit.

The following requirements may also be requested:

Your passport or any equivalent identification document (photocopy is accepted)
Your residence permit (photocopy is accepted).

As in the case of living elsewhere in the world, certain rules and specific customs have to be observed by both locals as well as foreign nationals living there. As expats, it is also our responsibility to know and follow these rules in order to avoid getting into trouble with the law.

Qatar Do’s and Don’ts

They say the best way to show respect to another person or group is not to be simply accepting of their customs and traditions, but to also do what they do on regular days, most especially when you’ve decided to live in their country – whether for work or other personal reasons.

ALSO READ: Things to Avoid and Social Media Etiquette in Qatar

That being said, our focus will be on Qatar, which you may know by now is a Muslim country located in the Middle East. You might want to hold onto some of the things you may have heard about Muslim culture, but keep an open mind to learn a new thing or two, if not a lot from this brief post.

[Guide] Social Etiquette in Qatar

The main thing here is to exercise respect and understanding as to why certain groups of people or individuals act or behave the way they do. As we know, each of us has unique personalities, habits, temperaments, as well as beliefs. In order to understand our Qatari brothers better, here is a short list of the things to do and avoid (especially in public):

Things to Do:

Generally speaking, any form of courtesy is a sign of respect anywhere in the world. Greet people and address them accordingly when engaging them in conversation.
Dress modestly and cover up especially in public areas such as marketplaces, souqs, as well as worship temples or mosques.
Take cabs such as Karwa, Al Million and Alijarah turquoise taxis, which are safe, clean, and metered when getting around the city. Majority of the drivers can speak English. Also when booking a taxi by phone, be sure to allot ample time as there can be delays to the pick-up and arrival.
Haggling in shops and at souqs or marketplaces is common across the region. Remember to counter an item’s original price below the amount for which you are willing to spend and slowly work your way to this amount.
Pay attention to separate counters and sections designated for women in banks and utilities.
Take in the Qatari nightlife as it is one of the safest places in the world. During the summer and Ramadan, it’s common to see people around town up until the early hours in the morning.
Remember to drink lots of water and other beverages, as temperatures can reach over 40 degrees Celsius. You will need to drink at least two litres a day under this kind of temperature. Deep yellow urine is a sign of dehydration.
Also, remember to apply sunblock on all exposed skin throughout the year. Wear closed footwear, as well. Children and fair-skinned people also need a hat or cap.

Things to Avoid:

Do not look or stare intently at people no matter how fascinated you are with their clothing. This is considered rude in a society where dressing up modestly and behaving conservatively is mandatory.
Do not ask an Arab lady for directions if you are a man. Take note that some Arab ladies are private people in public places. Since they are more than willing to help other women, if you are in a mixed group, it’s best to have the ladies do the talking.
Do not take it personally if a Muslim refuses to accept your handshake. This is mostly common among Muslims of the opposite sex. This is considered a religious prohibition rather than a personal preference.
Do not take photographs of other people especially Muslims (as well as the police or armed forces) and sensitive locations without asking for consent.
Do not use your left hand when feeding among Muslims. The right hand must be used for feeding because the left hand is reserved for personal hygiene.
Do not sit with the soles of your feet facing towards your Qatari hosts as this is considered an insult. Also, do not sit with your back facing other guests.
Do not drink too much alcohol that your behaviour would be affected in public. Consumption of alcohol in Qatar is strictly regulated, and there is zero tolerance for drunkenness, rowdy behaviour, and most especially drunk driving.
Do not walk barefoot at the beach or while swimming at sea as you may step on a poisonous stonefish hiding underneath the sand. Also, watch out for jellyfish attacks, particularly during the summer months.

This simple guide should help you maximize your experience while exploring Qatar, or even as a resident living in the country. There is still much to be discovered that only you can find out for yourself as you begin to see life through the eyes of the locals and other expats living in Qatar. But the most important thing is to exercise respect for the people and their culture.

Things to Avoid and Social Media Etiquette in Qatar

In many parts of the world, we learn that various rules and regulations apply concerning behaviour and social conduct. And as the world moves progressively forward, we should also understand that values such as respect and tolerance of one another must still prevail amid the bold changes that come with the modern ages.

ALSO READ: Social Media Usage in UAE – Penalties and Fines

And being an Islamic nation, Qatar is one of those countries that strictly adhere to the principles and teachings of their religion as seen in their culture and way of life. Understanding these things is an important step in living harmoniously with the people, who come from various walks of life, convictions and principles.

Social Media in Qatar: Things to Avoid

And as connectivity has become a way of life for many of us, those who wish to build a life in Qatar, or any country in the Middle East, for that matter, must understand that there are certain laws that apply as to how people can share information over social media or through the internet.

To help us understand the specifics of what this entails, continue to read on below:

With the signing of an Emirati law that protects the citizens from being attacked and abused online, it’s important that we become acquainted of the law’s provisions and what this means for us as residents of Qatar, as well:

On spreading fake news:

Content that would pose a threat to national safety, sovereignty of the state, public order, as well as international peace shared over the internet may be fined by up to QAR 500,000 and/or sentenced with a maximum of three years’ imprisonment.

On sharing or creating pornographic content:

Any media or material containing pornographic content involving a child shared over the internet may be fined by up to QAR 500,000 and/or sentenced with a maximum of five years’ prison term.

On violation of social values and principles:

Posting materials with information of another private entity such as news, pictures, or videos, and their family member(s) without their consent may be fined by up to QAR 100,000 and/or sentenced with a maximum of three years’ imprisonment.

On slander or threatening a person online:

Any form of malicious attacks on a person’s privacy and dignity online in the form of blackmailing, bullying, or sending threats in exchange for a favour may be fined by up to QAR 100,000 and/or sentenced with a maximum of three years’ prison term.

It’s imperative that we exercise discipline and critical thinking whenever we use social media, even if we only choose to express our personal opinions to a certain group of people or audience.

And since the use of information technology and social media in countries such as Qatar among others is sanctioned by the state, everyone should treat this as a privilege and to exercise conscientious decision-making at all times to avoid getting into trouble with the law.

ALSO READ: 6 Things to Know when Visiting the Middle East

[GUIDE] Understanding the Dress Code in Qatar

First and foremost, for anyone who plans to visit any Muslim country, such as Qatar and other countries in the Middle East, you have to recognize that Islamic laws and Muslim culture are very conservative. This easily translates to the people’s way of thinking, behaviour, and even dressing up in public.

ALSO READ: Qatar Do’s and Don’ts

On that note, we must all learn to respect the locals’ values and culture, so as not to cause any form of misunderstanding, or worse — even, get into trouble with the law. Yes, this could really happen so beware!

[Culture] Respect the Qatari People’s Dress Code

Figuring out what’s allowed and what isn’t is quite simple, since the government has consciously launched initiatives on a regular basis to help other nationalities and tourists understand the local culture, and also to guide them accordingly.

For a time, the government even had a slogan which said, ‘Reflect your Respect’ in an effort to educate tourists on what types of clothing are allowed and those that are not.

Under the campaign of Qatar’s Islamic Culture Centre, leaflets that share the message: “If you are in Qatar, you are one of us. Help us preserve Qatar’s culture and values; please dress modestly in public places” were distributed to foreigners and tourists to help them become aware of the dress code.

The campaign, which had been launched in 2014, has taken on various forms and approach in instilling the acceptable way of dressing up in the country.

Understanding the Dress Code Based on the Law

Despite being a country of multinational colours, Article 57 of Qatari Law clearly stipulates that compliance with the laws issued by Public Authorities, abiding by the requirements of public order and public decorum, as well as the observance of national traditions and deep-rooted customs are duties of everyone residing in the State of Qatar or entering its territory.

And while some foreigners may view Qatari laws as too stringent, even oppressive to outsiders, it has always been this way since Qataris adhere to the Sharia law, and they do not wish for their children to become exposed to what they consider as immodest clothing.

Figuring out what is acceptable from what is not in terms of clothing is simply a matter of decency (meaning – the lesser skin revealed, the better).

With that, revealing clothes that expose the knees and shoulders such as short dresses, mini-skirts, cropped tops and sleeveless tops are not allowed for women. Also, women should try to avoid wearing tight-hugging clothes (even leggings/“jeggings”), as well as those that cover too little of the legs down to the knees. Needless to say, see-through clothes are out of the question.

On the other hand, men are also prohibited from wearing shorts (knees exposed), as well as vest tops that expose the chest.

If you’d like to avoid receiving unnecessary attention especially from the police, it would be best to comply with the dress code in the country.

To be on the safe side: Wear clothes with decent necklines and regular sleeves. Also, remember to keep your legs and knees covered.

As much as the locals make an effort to be warm and welcoming, tourists and expats are also expected to comply with the host nation’s laws and customs. This is a very important sign of respect, not only to the people but more importantly to their culture.

Social Media Rules to Follow as an Expat in Qatar

We all know that social media becomes a big part of our generation nowadays. Because of that, people tend to be more expressive in posting every single thing that is happening in their everyday lives. Well, it’s a way something different in Qatar. Residents of Qatar only used Internet for communication and information though news and social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and etc. In this article, we will be able to know the things that should be avoided to do on Social Media in Qatar.

Also Read: How to Apply for an Alcohol License in Qatar

The Emir of Qatar signed a law that contains rules and regulations to protect social media users from abusive activities happening online. This also promotes social values not only in their country but also to others. Here are some of the things that people should not do on social media in Qatar.

social media rules in qatar — There are strict laws governing social media and usage of online sites when you are in the Gulf region. Please be aware of them and follow them accordingly.

Qatar Social Media Law – Online Violations, Penalties and Fines

Please make sure you follow these guidelines and you should be aware that you cannot freely post your sentiments online. There are strict policies and practices you should follow and be aware of to avoid penalties and fines.

Spreading False News

Any fake news regarding the information of the state’s safety, public order, and international peace that are spread on the internet by any Qatar resident shall be fined up to 500,000 Riyals, or up to 3 years of imprisonment.

Producing Pornographic Materials

Any pornographic materials that are spread or shared on the internet by Qatar residents shall be fined with 500,000 Riyals, and up to 5 years of imprisonment.

Violating Social Values or Principles

Any news, pictures, or videos, posted by Qatar residents to the internet regarding to the person’s family without their permission or consent shall be fined with 100,000 Riyals, and up to 3 years of imprisonment.

Posting disrespectful contents against religious beliefs

According to the Social Crimes Chapter of the Qatar Penal Code, if a resident posted any disrespectful content against any religion shall be fined with 10,000 Riyals, or up to 10 years of imprisonment. On the other hand, according to “Crimes Related to Religions and the Violability of the Dead”, the person who violated the rule shall be fined with 100,000 Riyals, or up to 1 year of imprisonment.

Spreading Private Information of People

According to Article 333 of Qatar Penal Code, “whoever illegally intrudes into another person’s private life and without consent” through different means such as taking pictures of other people in a private place using any type of device, shall be fined up to 5,000 Riyals, or up to 1 year of imprisonment.

Slandering or Threatening a Person Online

Insults, slanders, threats, and blackmails in the internet are also can be subjected similarly with criminal sanctions. Any blackmail, bullying, or threatening activities of a person on the internet shall be fined with 100,000 Riyals, and 3 years of imprisonment.

All of these violations on social media rules in Qatar give rise to criminal sanctions which can be attributed with fines or imprisonment. Additionally, if there are foreign nationals who violate these rules,they may be deported as per the court order.

So please take note of these properly to avoid issues in the future. These may be specific to Qatar, but for any country in the Gulf region, it is always best to understand them as they are also applicable in other countries where you are residing in the Middle East as an expat.

Guide: How to Apply for Alcohol License in Qatar

Alcohol drinking in Qatar has strict rules and policies given that this is an Islamic country where liquor is prohibited. As an expat, you have to be very careful and you must follow the law in terms of consuming alcohol. There are certain rules and requirements that you should follow in order to purchase and consume alcohol legally in this state. Please be guided accordingly as we share you some tips and helpful reminders. It’s always good to be aware of the policies and rules especially when in a foreign country.

As a note, the Qatar Distribution Company is the official agency where you can apply for a liquor license. This is also where you can buy alcohol and where you need to get a permit.

Although a person can buy a certain amount of alcohol based on their monthly salary, a permit is required for them to purchase it. Qatar only has two shops wherein they can purchase alcohol but they have to hide those beverages after purchasing. In this article, we will get to know about the license application for alcohol consumption in Qatar.

UPDATE: Be advised that there has been an increase in the prices of alcohol. Recently in January 2019, authorities have imposed a 100% excise tax to liquor. This means that the prices of alcohol has doubled.

6 Things You Should Know about Drinking Alcohol in Qatar

Let us know first the law regarding the alcohol transport and consumption in the country.

Import of alcohol in Qatar is illegal. At the Doha airport especially at the arrivals area, all passenger luggage bags are monitored and scanned.
People who are caught drunk in public can be deported, fined, or even given with prison sentences.
Alcohol transport within the country is strictly prohibited unless the beverage was brought home immediately after purchase directly from the warehouse on the same day it was bought.
It is also an offense to offer alcohols to Muslims and minors.
It is illegal to sell, donate, and give alcoholic beverages in the country.
Expats with alcohol permit in Qatar are allowed to purchase alcohol. In restricted areas, licensed restaurants and hotels are allowed to sell alcoholic beverages to non-Muslim adults.

Process in Getting a Liquor License via Qatar Distribution Company

Application of alcohol permit can be done through the Qatar Distribution Company. The company provides alcohol permits and application forms in their shop. Now that we already know the restrictions regarding the consumption of alcohol in Qatar, here are some tips on how to apply for alcohol license in the country.

1. A letter must be written by the applicant who is planning to purchase alcohol. An authorized person from the company where the applicant belongs to, must sign and stamp the letter addressed to Qatar Distribution Company with the given applicant’s information:

Position in the company
Basic salary (minimum basic salary of 4,000 Riyals or 1,100 USD)
Location of accommodation entitlement/ free accommodation
Place where the applicant get married
Religion

2. The applicant should complete the application form and pay a refundable deposit to get the alcohol permit.

3. Here are some additional requirements:

A passport or its equivalent document (original copy or photocopy is accepted)
A residence permit (original copy or photocopy is accepted)

A Note on Drinking and Driving

“Do not drink and drive” is also included in the law about alcohol consumption in Qatar. People who commit the offense can receive custodial sentences from 1 month up to 3 years, or will be fined from 10,000 to 50,000 Riyals, or both. They can also be deported from the country or they are not allowed to leave Qatar unless the case is already resolved.

According to Qatar Penal Laws Article 270, if anyone is found drunk on a main street or disturb others due to alcohol effect, he can be fined with 3,000 Riyals or can receive a prison sentence to no more than six months, or both.

Qatar, an Islamic country, gives respect to different religious beliefs or culture by giving restrictions to vices especially when it comes to alcoholic consumption. Please be very careful and be sensitive to the customs and traditions. We hope you find this post helpful in understanding the alcohol trade and set-up in Qatar.