"Qatar’s first overseas visa centre set to open", 2 October 2018

... The first phase of the new recruitment mechanism, under which work visa-related procedures are to be completed in the home countries of expatriate workers before they arrive in Qatar, will come into effect on October 12, when the first [Qatar Visa Centre] QVC opens in Sri Lanka... The centres will operate based on an integrated electronic system for the implementation of procedures such as medical examination, fingerprint and biometrics, and the signing of work contracts for expatriates outside the State, under the supervision of and follow-up by the authorities concerned within Qatar... Meanwhile, assistant undersecretary for labour affairs at MADLSA al-Obaidali said that the aim of the initiative is to simplify and facilitate procedures for employers, as well as to provide more protection to expatriate workers coming to work in Qatar... Al-Obaidali said the new system would considerably help in reducing the number of labour disputes, such as over fraudulent contracts and illegal fees collected by recruitment agencies from employees in the country of origin. In addition, both the employer and employee would have a clear picture of the agreed terms and conditions, and hence the protection of the rights of both would be ensured...