Labour Offer Letter Template for Qatar

A Labour Offer Letter is the first formal step in setting up an employment relationship in Qatar. It's the initial written proposal that outlines the terms and conditions of employment before the comprehensive employment contract is signed. The document sets out key terms such as compensation, benefits, working hours and conditions of employment, and it must comply with Qatar Labor Law No. 14 of 2004 and its later amendments. For expatriate hiring it also forms part of the visa application process, demonstrating to Qatar's Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs that a legitimate employment arrangement exists.

You need a Labour Offer Letter whenever you extend a job offer to a prospective employee in Qatar. This applies whether you're hiring Qatari nationals, expatriate workers already in the country, or international candidates who'll require work visas. It matters most for expatriate hiring, where it forms part of the visa application process. You'll also use one when replacing departing employees, expanding your workforce, or restructuring with new positions. The letter sets out preliminary terms before the full employment contract follows, so both sides agree the headline terms before the formal contract is prepared.

Qatar law requires specific mandatory elements. A compliant letter generally sets out: The company's full legal name, commercial registration number and registered address in Qatar. The employee's complete details as they appear on their passport, including nationality and passport number. Job title, department and role description, plus start date and any probationary period. The full compensation package: basic salary and statutory allowances for housing, transportation and food where applicable. Working hours, location of work and reporting structure. Visa sponsorship responsibilities and any relocation assistance. It should reference compliance with Qatar's labour laws and carry signatures from authorised company representatives.

Yes. For official purposes in Qatar, a Labour Offer Letter must be written in Arabic or accompanied by an Arabic translation. Arabic is the working language for employment documentation submitted to the authorities, so a bilingual version is common where the employee reads English. Keeping an accurate Arabic version matters because the document supports the visa and labour approval process and demonstrates the employment arrangement to the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs. Requirements can vary by situation, so confirm the current submission format before you file, and ensure the translation matches the agreed terms exactly.

The letter must reflect the mandatory provisions under Qatar Labor Law No. 14 of 2004 and its amendments. That includes the minimum wage set by Law No. 17 of 2020 (basic wage plus food and housing allowances), a probationary period that cannot exceed six months, and the standard 48-hour working week with summer working-hour restrictions under Ministerial Decision No. 21 of 2019. It should address annual leave, sick leave and religious holidays, reflect the reformed labour mobility rules under Law No. 19 of 2020 (which abolished the Kafala system), and comply with the Wage Protection System under Law No. 1 of 2015 requiring electronic salary payment.

The offer letter is the first formal step, setting out the preliminary terms of employment. The comprehensive employment contract comes afterwards and governs the full relationship. The offer letter presents the headline terms (compensation, benefits, working hours and conditions) so both parties agree them before the detailed contract is prepared and signed. For expatriate hires, the offer letter also feeds into the visa and labour approval process. Both documents must comply with Qatar Labor Law No. 14 of 2004 and its amendments. An editable Labour Offer Letter template is available on this page to customise for your hire.