Article 18
Starting Date: 29/03/2009

 Each Expatriate granted an entry visa to the State of Qatar shall have a sponsor. Save for women sponsored by the head of the family, minors and visitors staying thirty days or less, all Expatriates may only leave the country temporarily or permanently on submission of an exit permit granted by the residence sponsor. If such permit cannot be obtained due to the sponsor's refusal to grant, the sponsor's death, or his absence without assigning an agent to replace him, the Expatriate shall assign a departure sponsor, or present a certificate of no sentences being served or lawsuits from the court of jurisdiction after the lapse of fifteen days effective from the date of publishing once in two daily newspapers the expected date of the departure of the Expatriate pursuant to a Ministerial Decision in accordance with the procedures and regulations