Can my employer keep my passport in Qatar?

No. Keeping your passport is illegal in Qatar. Under Article 8 of Law No. 21 of 2015, the employer must return your passport after finishing your residence-permit steps, unless you ask in writing for them to hold it, and even then they must give it back when you ask. An employer who keeps it can be fined up to QAR 25,000. If your passport is taken, ask for it back; if refused, call 16008, or the National Human Rights Committee on 900, or report to the police. Passport confiscation can be a sign of forced labour.