The Healthcare Services Law No. 22 of 2021 (the Insurance Law) has become effective as of 4 May 2022. The Insurance Law was published in Issue 15 of the Official Gazette dated 4 November 2021 providing that it shall come into force six months after its publication.

The Insurance Law is of material significance to companies established in the State of Qatar seeing that it introduces a mandatory health insurance coverage for non-Qatari employees and their families, as well as foreign visitors for the duration of their stay allowing them to receive medical services.

The law provides for obligations that fall on each of the employer, sponsor and beneficiary, as well as insurance services providers.

For instance, it is not permissible to issue or renew an entry visa for an expatriate or visitor, or grant or renew a residence permit, or employ an expatriate, except after submitting evidence of their subscription into the mandatory health insurance throughout the period of stay and that the subscription period covers the duration of the entry visa or residence permit, unless it is excluded from the mandatory health insurance.