Can I go to Oman without cancelling my Qatar residence permit (QID)?

This article explains what is legally possible, what usually happens in practice, and what you should carefully consider before making a decision.

Is it legal to leave Qatar without cancelling an employment visa?

From an immigration standpoint, In general, most foreign workers can leave Qatar without an employer-issued exit permit, although exceptions and additional procedures may apply in certain categories or in the case of disputes.

So technically:

You can leave Qatar and travel to Oman
You do not need to cancel your Qatar visa to exit

However, the legality of exit does not mean there are no consequences.

The major risk: Absconding report

If you abandon your job, stop reporting to work, or leave without completing resignation and clearance procedures—especially if you become unreachable—your employer may file an absconding (runaway worker) report

Report you as absconding (runaway worker)
File a case with the Ministry of Labour / Ministry of Interior
Trigger restrictions on your ability to return to Qatar

Once an absconding case is registered:

You cannot re-enter Qatar
Your visa becomes problematic even if it has not expired
Future employment or visa approvals in Qatar may be affected

This risk is real and commonly enforced.

Can I re-enter Qatar after leaving without cancelling my visa?

It depends on your immigration status. If your residence permit remains valid, has not been cancelled, and no absconding or legal case exists, re-entry may still be possible.

If your sponsor cancels your residence permit while you are abroad, you will not be able to re-enter on that permit. If it remains valid and no restrictions exist, re-entry does not depend on waiting for expiry.

If an absconding case is filed, re-entry may be blocked even after expiry, unless the case is resolved.

What if I have a job offer in Oman?

Before leaving Qatar for a job in Oman, ask yourself:

Is the Oman job offer official and confirmed?
Is the salary, contract, and long-term stability better than your Qatar job?
Are you prepared to lose your legal status and future opportunities in Qatar?

Once you leave without proper cancellation, there is usually no easy way back.

Recommended and safer approach

If you plan to leave Qatar permanently:

Inform your employer formally
Complete resignation as per contract
Cancel your Qatar employment visa legally
Obtain final settlement (if applicable)
Exit Qatar with a clean immigration record
Enter Oman using the correct visa sponsored by your new employer

This process protects you from:

Absconding accusations
Future travel bans
Immigration complications

If you must leave due to personal or emergency reasons

Leaving Qatar without cancelling your visa may be a personal choice, but it should be taken with full awareness of the consequences. Leaving Qatar without completing proper resignation and clearance procedures often leads to the breakdown of the employment relationship in practice, even if it has not been formally terminated.

In conclusion

Yes, you can go to Oman without cancelling your Qatar employment visa, but it is strongly discouraged unless you are certain you will not return to Qatar. The risk of being reported as absconding is high, and the consequences can be permanent.

For accurate guidance:

Consult your employer or HR department
Speak with the Qatar Ministry of Labour
Contact your embassy or a licensed immigration advisor

Making an informed decision now can protect your future career and mobility in the Gulf region.

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