Visas for Qatar
that can throw interested parties for a loop.That said, the launch of Hukoomi, the Qatari government’s ePortal, in 2009 has made the visa application process easier and more efficient. Expats can keep track of their status on the site by simply entering a password and their country of citizenship.
Do note that the month of Ramadan is synonymous with “government inefficiency”. Historically, little work is accomplished during this holy time, and it’s best to apply for your visa well before or just after.
Tourist visa for Qatar
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) residents and the citizens of 33 listed countries can officially receive their tourist, or visit, visa at a Qatari border point; no prior application or additional documentation is required. This list of nations includes Australia, the
US, the UK, most of Western Europe and New Zealand. India, Pakistan and other nations on the sub-continent are not included.Nationals from countries not on the list can apply for a tourist visa by contacting the Ministry of the Interior in Doha.
All those travelling to Qatar should make sure their passport is valid for six months from the date of travel. Depending on the mood of the individual at passport control at the border entry point, it may also be necessary to display proof of accommodation and a return ticket.
Generally, tourist visas for Qatar are granted for two weeks (14 days) and can be renewed for an additional two weeks (14 days). They cost approximately 100 QAR.
Work and residence visas for Qatar
To live and work in Qatar, expats must first enter on the proper entry visa, and then must apply for a residence permit once in the nation. Visas can only be granted if they’re supported by proper sponsorship; either employers or family members earning more than 7000 QAR per month can act as sponsors.
Expats must stay in the country during the period between arrival and the conversion from the entry visa to the residence permit.
Employer sponsorship
►Step 1 – Find a job
Expats must first find a job and sign a contract before trudging through the visa application process. Once you’ve secured a position though, you’ll likely be relieved to find that the organisational burden for the work entry visa application process falls largely on the shoulders of the employer.
►Step 2 – Work entry visa application
After negotiating the terms of your employment, your employer will need to apply for your work entry visa from the Ministry of the Interior. Qatar is a country that claims a massive foreign labour force, and it follows that many companies are familiar with this visa application process. Some organisations even have separate departments devoted to this endeavour.
Your company will advise what documents they need you supply them with to get the process started; paperwork varies depending on your job category. For example, a maid will need to supply different documents to a doctor.
It’s best to have all documents notarised and to make multiple copies for your records.
Once the application has been approved, it generally takes four to eight weeks, you can print out a copy of the approval on the Qatari Ministry of the Interior web site. Simply enter the password given to you by your sponsor and your nationality.
Present this document at the border entry point in Qatar, and they’ll put the corresponding visa in your passport.
►Step 3 – Applying for your residence permit in Qatar
Applying for your residence permit once in Qatar is tedious, but not necessarily intense. Keep in mind that you’ll need to bring certain documents with you to Qatar to apply. Your company will confirm the specifics of these documents, but generally, the paperwork required is:
- Police Clearance Certificate
- Medical Check-Up Certificate (obtained in Qatar)
- Copy of your Job Contract
- Copies of all education documents
- Passport-sized colour photos (15)
This usually takes between two to six weeks, and you have to remain in the country throughout the duration of this process.
Medical check-up and fingerprinting in Qatar
►Medical Test
Part of the residency process is passing the prescribed medical test. In order to fulfil this obligation expats must first procure a blood-type certificate from any clinic. Once this step is complete, you must take a medical test at the Supreme Council of Health. This test is to certify that you have neither HIV nor TB, and requires that blood be drawn, and that you have an X-ray.
Be prepared to make a day of it; though the process isn’t tedious, the waiting is. Go early, bring a good book and don’t make any other appointments until later that afternoon.
Expats will need the following documents to go for a medical test:
- Passport (one copy)
- Two passport photos
- Medical test application form translated into Arabic
- Fee (QR 100)
After your medical test has been appropriately processed you will need to go for compulsory fingerprinting – only children are exempt from this procedure. Documentation is available on site for QR 5, or will be organised in advance by your company. The completed fingerprinting form must be translated into Arabic, which can also be done on site for QR 10.
Fingerprinting is done at the Civil Defense’s office, again, on the outskirts of town.
Family sponsorship
If you’re in possession of a residence work permit for Qatar and you earn over 7000 QAR per month you can legally sponsor your family for a residence visa.
You’ll need to submit the following documents to the Ministry of Labour in Qatar:
- Completed application form for each member of your family in Arabic
- Application letter from your employer outlining your position and salary
- Copies of your family members’ passports
- Copy of your electricity bill in Qatar
- Copies of your education certificates, and the birth certificates and marriage certificates (if applicable) of your family members
