Security Guard Services in Qatar

How to Become a Licensed Security Guard in Qatar

Private security services in the State of Qatar are governed by Law No. (19) of 2009 Regulating the Practice of Private Security Services. These services may be provided only through licensed Qatari companies wholly owned by Qatari nationals, and every security guard must meet requirements on age, conduct, criminal record, medical examination and training.

Regulator: Ministry of Interior, Establishments and Authorities Security Department. The Department’s Private Security Services Section issues licenses and approvals to private security companies and inspects them. portal.moi.gov.qa/wps/portal/MOIInternet/departmentcommittees/easecurity

Security Guard Requirements

• Age of at least 18 (Art. 11(1))
• Good conduct and character (Art. 11(2))
• No final sentence of imprisonment for more than six months, even if rehabilitated, and no conviction for a crime against state security (Art. 11(3))
• Non-Qataris submit a certificate of no criminal record attested by the Qatari embassy in their home country (Art. 11(3))
• Passing the medical examination set by the Minister on the recommendation of the Ministry’s medical committee (Art. 11(4))
• Passing a training course at an accredited training center designated by the licensing authority; those who have previously served in the Qatari police, armed forces or other state security bodies are exempt (Art. 11(5))
• Wearing the company uniform and identification cards, which must be approved by the licensing authority and must not resemble police or armed forces uniforms (Art. 17)

Steps to Work as a Security Guard

1. Join a private security services company licensed under Law No. (19) of 2009
2. Obtain a criminal record certificate (for non-Qataris: attested by the Qatari embassy in their home country)
3. Pass the medical examination at the Ministry of Interior
4. Complete the training course at a training center accredited by the licensing authority, unless exempt because of prior service in the Qatari police, armed forces or security bodies
5. Receive the company identification card and approved uniform

Security Company Licensing

Private security services may be provided only through private security services companies licensed by the licensing authority, and the license specifies the services covered (Art. 2). The company’s purpose must be limited to private security services (Art. 3). The company must be Qatari and wholly owned by Qatari nationals, and its owners must be of good conduct and have no final conviction for a felony, a crime against state security or a crime involving honor or trust (Art. 4). The licensing authority decides on applications within 15 days, no response counts as a refusal, and a grievance may be filed with the Minister within 15 days (Art. 5). The company may be registered only with the Minister’s prior approval (Art. 7), and a transfer of ownership also requires the Minister’s prior approval (Art. 8). The responsible manager must be a Qatari officer who has served in the police, the armed forces or another military body, unless the Minister grants an exception (Art. 9). Contracts with clients are subject to the licensing authority’s approval (Art. 12), and companies are subject to its inspection (Art. 18). The Minister may cancel or suspend the license in the public interest or for violations (Art. 20). Establishing security training centers and providing security consulting also require a license (Art. 21). Penalties for the main violations range from imprisonment of one month to one year, a fine of QAR 20,000 to 100,000, or both, and the license may be suspended for up to one year or canceled; penalties are doubled for repeat offenses (Art. 22).

Private security employees may not carry firearms or alter their parts without a license from the Minister of Interior, and the rules for carrying, using, storing and inspecting them are set by ministerial resolution (Art. 16). Companies may rent firearms and ammunition from the Ministry case by case, or purchase or import them through licensed entities, under a license from the Minister, and the company manager is responsible for storing them securely in a place approved by the licensing authority (Art. 15). The Minister may cancel a guard’s firearm license in the public interest (Art. 20). The Ministry states that Resolution No. 4 of 2011 regulates the use of weapons and ammunition by private security employees.

A company license is issued for three calendar years from its date of issue and may be renewed for equal periods (Art. 6). The law does not set a renewal period for individual guards.

Sources

• Al Meezan (Ministry of Justice): Law No. 19 of 2009 Regulating the Practice of Private Security Services, Official Gazette PDF
• Qatar Ministry of Interior: Establishments and Authorities Security Department

Requirements are subject to change. Confirm current rules with the official regulator before applying. This summary is general information, not legal advice. Last reviewed November 2026.