As per the National Address Law, residents of Qatar are required to register their national address by 26 July 2020.

The Ministry of Interior (MOI) is requiring all of Qatar’s residents, locals and expatriates alike, to register their national address through the app, Metrash2, MOI website moi.gov.qa, or service centres of MOI, starting on 27 January until 26 July 2020. 

HH the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued Law No 24 of 2017 on the National Address. According to the law, the national address consists of data of an individual’s personal information as well as their home and work address in Qatar and home address of their country of origin. 

National Address Law

The National Address form includes the following:

  • Home address
  • Fixed phone number and mobile number
  • Email address
  • Work address for public and private sector employees
  • Permanent address abroad, if applicable

The form is available in at least four languages.

Residents aged 18 or above are required to personally complete the National Address form. Anyone below the age of 18 will have their data automatically registered once their parents or legal guardian registers. In addition, the elderly, bed ridden, physically disabled, or those who do not have a smartphone, can visit any of the MOI service centres or electronic machines to register their national address, or have a family or legal representative go on their behalf, with the required documents.

Although employers are urged to ensure all of their employees are registered, if any employee is not registered by 26 July 2020, the employee will be held responsible for failing to do so.

According to MOI, as of early February 2020, 250,000 have registered their national address of which 200,000 have registered via Metrash2. In addition, 8,000 companies have registered their employees of whom 7,000 registered via Metrash2.

National Address

Functions of the National Address 

  • Follow-up and supervision of the implementation of the provisions of Law No 24 Of 2017 on the National Address.
  • Registration of the national address including the data on which all transactions with governmental and non-governmental bodies can be completed.
  • Identification of one or more national address data for judicial declarations and official notifications.
  • To make amendments and changes to the data of the national address; the person must notify them in a timely manner as issued by the minister.
  • Coordinate and communicate with governmental and non-governmental bodies to facilitate the implementation of the provisions of the law.
  • Offering reconciliation to violators, in accordance with the provisions of the law, and within the limits of its jurisdiction, and the collection of amounts of reconciliation.
  • Addressing the competent authorities to initiate criminal proceedings in case of non-reconciliation of violators of the provisions of the law.

The issuance of the National Address Law came as a result for government and non-government entities to be able to remain interconnected with the rapid economic and social developments and legislative advancement in the country. In addition, to ensure smoother communication and interaction between residents, and government and non-government entities.

Objectives of National Address

  • The national address contributes to achieving greater security and stability by providing security services such as emergency, ambulance and civil defence as soon as possible.
  • The national address allows the security services to identify important areas, the most crowded areas and the locations of crimes.
  • To move from the descriptive address to the digital address system and standardise unique addresses for all regions in the country.
  • Continue to develop and modernise the country’s infrastructure.
  • Provide fast and reliable services to all segments of society including citizens and residents as well as the public and private sectors.

In addition, the law follows the strategic development of e-government to complement the legislative structure necessary for e-government transactions.

All residents of Qatar must complete the national address form by 26 July 2020. Any person who violates any provisions of this law shall be punished with a fine not exceeding QAR10,000. This includes not completing the National Address form or providing accurate or truthful data.

For more information or inquiries, call 234 2000.


Author: Ola Diab

This article is from Marhaba Information Guide’s Issue No 77 Spring/Summer 2020.

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