Opening a salon or spa in Qatar is a profitable venture in a market where personal grooming is a significant part of daily life. Qatar’s population — both Qatari nationals and a diverse expatriate community — drives strong demand for hair care, beauty treatments, barbering, and spa services. This guide covers the licensing requirements, MOPH health permits, and gender-specific rules you need to understand before launching.
Salon Types and Activity Codes
MOCI classifies salon businesses under different activity codes depending on your service offering:
- Ladies salon — hair, nails, facials, waxing, and makeup services for women. Must be staffed entirely by women during operating hours.
- Gents salon / barbershop — haircuts, shaving, and basic grooming for men. Male-only staff.
- Unisex beauty centre — serves both genders but must have separate sections with separate entrances or clearly divided service areas.
- Spa and wellness centre — massage therapy, body treatments, and hydrotherapy. Requires additional MOPH approvals for treatment protocols.
Licensing Process Step by Step
- Register your company — form an LLC through MOCI with the appropriate salon activity code. Foreign investors can hold 100% ownership.
- Secure your premises — sign a lease for a commercially zoned space. MOPH requires minimum floor area, proper ventilation, and dedicated sterilisation zones.
- Apply for MOPH health permit — submit floor plans, equipment lists, and sterilisation procedures. MOPH inspects your premises before approval.
- Obtain Municipality Trade License — issued after MOPH approval. Includes signboard approval for your salon name.
- Staff health cards — every beautician, barber, and therapist must have an individual MOPH health card before they can work.
- Sponsor staff visas — obtain your computer card from MADLSA and request visa allocations for your team.
Gender Rules and Compliance
Qatar has strict gender separation rules for personal care services. Ladies salons must not admit male customers or have male staff on the salon floor during business hours. A male business owner must appoint a female salon manager. Gents salons have the reverse requirement. Violations can result in fines or temporary closure.
Staff Qualifications
MOPH requires salon staff to hold recognised professional qualifications in their speciality. Bring attested certificates from your staff’s home countries. Some nationalities require certificate equivalency verification. Hair colouring, chemical treatments, and injectable aesthetics each have specific qualification thresholds.