Qatar Work Visa & Work Permit Status- Visa Requirement and Validity 2024
The demand of Qatar work visa significantly increase in 2024 due to Qatar boosted economy that has created thousands of jobs and business opportunities. It is now a favorite destination for foreign workers, especially from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. You can easily get a job in Qatar, But getting a Visa is tricky.
Although the Interior Ministry of Qatar has simplified the visa process, you must still fulfill certain requirements. You need an employment contract form and proof of residency to obtain a Qatar work visa. This guide covers the Qatar Work Visa application, requirements, and documents.
Eligibility for Qatar Work Visa
- A Valid passport
- Passport Size Photo
- Employment Contract Form
- Medical Fitness Certificate
- No criminal record in Qatar
Qatar Work Visa Requirement
Work Permit is mandatory for foreign workers seeking a job in Qatar. The Qatar Visa process is a multi-step process with different requirements, such as an online application for a visa with a valid passport, employment contract form, visa application fee, medical certificate, and residency permit. You can also check the status or print your Qatar work visa by visiting the Qatar Visa Inquiry and Printing portal.
Valid Passport with 6 Months Validity
A passport is a mandatory document for any citizen. Your Passport must be valid for 6 months to qualify for a Qatar Visa. It is advisable to check the personal details on your Passport before applying for a visa. Any mistake or difference in Passport and educational documents may lead to the rejection of Visa
Qatar Job offer or Employee Sponsorship
A sponsorship contract form or job offer is another prerequisite for obtaining a work permit. It is impossible to get a Visa without a sponsor or Employee (Company where you get a job). You can enter Qatar on a temporary Visa with a Job contract form. Your sponsor is normally responsible for applying for your Visa. You will go through Visa medical and fingerprinting for a permanent permit work Visa.
Latest Photo
You need a passport-size photo with a white background for the visa application. Your photo must be clear and in good resolution.
Qatar Visa Medical Certificate
Qatar Visa Medical is required for a permanent work visa. Your Visa will be canceled if you have been diagnosed with hepatitis B or other transmissible disease.
Resident Permit / Residency Certificate
A residence permit, Aqama, is proof of your accommodation or stay. You must apply for a residence proof certificate within seven days of landing in Qatar. Your company provides residency Proofs. You can start work after getting a residency certificate.
Requirement for Residency Certificate
- A Valid Passport
- Passport Size Photo
- Employment Contract Form
- Medical Fitness Certificate
Fingerprinting
Fingerprinting is required before the final approval of the Visa. Fingerprinting is carried out when you arrive in Qatar. Fingerprinting is done at designated offices of the Interior Ministry of Qatar. Your employee makes arrangements for your fingerprinting.
Qatar ID
You will get a Qatar ID after Visa approval from the Interior Ministry of Qatar. Qatar ID is the official document for your stay in Qatar
Online Apply for Visa
The process of getting a work visa is lengthy and complicated. You can not apply directly for your work visa. Your Visa will be applied for by the company that hired you. There are few requirements for both employer and employee.
1: The company applying for your Visa must be registered with the immigration department.
2: The employer will get approval from the Ministry of Labour for the number of work permits for a foreign Visa
3: The company is entitled to apply for work visas of foreign employees through the Interior Ministry of Qatar
4: Once the Visa is approved, the company will send a copy of the Visa to the employer. The employers will present their original documents upon arrival. This whole process takes 2 to 4 weeks
Procedure for Getting a Work Permit
A Qatar work permit is necessary to work in Qatar. You are not allowed to do a job without a work permit. A work permit is issued for one, two or three years. The candidate’s company will apply for a work permit within 7 days after arriving in Qatar. However, candidates’ medical fitness tests will be taken at designated medical hospitals in Qatar for work permits. A person should not have any transmissible viral disease like hepatitis B. Employees must apply for a work permit from their employer within 7 days after reaching Qatar. You are not allowed to do work without a work permit. Employers must apply for a medical fitness certificate before applying for a permit.
Qatar Medical Fitness Certificate
Qatar Medical fitness certificate is required for Qatar work visa and Qatar work permit. You cannot obtain even Qatar residency certificate. You need to take medical test in only approved medical center from Qatar Ministry of Interior. The basic test include in Medical Fitness certificate are Blood test, sugar test, Hepatitis test and Chest X-ray. Any major or communicable diseases will lead to medically unfit. A medical unfit person cannot allow to work in Qatar.
Documents Required for Medical Fitness Certificate
- Copy of Passport
- Copy of Work Visa
- Photo of Candidate
- Fee slip of Medical test
How to check status of Qatar Work Visa?
Regularly getting an update on your work visa status is necessary. You can easily check your visa update through the MOI web Portal, QVC website and Metrash2 mobile App.
Cost of Qatar Visa
Work Visa costs are relatively high compared to other Qatar visa types. However, your sponsor or company pays all of Visa’s dues. Sometimes, companies ask to pay back the amount spent on Visa. The application fee for a Qatar work visa is 200 QR, whereas a residence certificate has a fee of 500 QR. You must remember that a residency certificate is mandatory for a work permit.
Approx. Visa Process Approval Time
The visa process time for Qatar work Visa is normally 2 to 3 weeks. Your Visa gets approved in less than 3 weeks; however, approval of the residence certificate may take 4 weeks.
Validity and Extension of Qatar Work Visa
Work Visa is Valid for one to three years. The validity of the visa depends on the job contract agreement between the employee and employer. The normal duration of a Qatar work visa is two years.
Visas can also be renewed with the consent of the company. Your company or employee will apply for renewal of your work Visa. To renew your Visa, you must provide the latest documents: e-passport, photo, and employment offer letter.
Renewal of Qatar Work Permit
A work permit is issued for a specific period, like one or two years. You need to renew your Qatar work permit before the expiry date of the previous Permit. Your work permit must be renewed on time to avoid legal penalties.
Your sponsor will file an online application to renew your work permit. The application is submitted to the Ministry of Labor, and the Ministry of Interior will approve the application for visa extension.
Documents Required for Renewal of Qatar Work Permit
Documents Required for Renewal of Qatar Work Permit
- Copy of Valid Passport
- New contract form or new employment offer letter
- Passport Size photo
- In the same cases, a medical fitness certificate
Benefits of Qatar Work Visa
Qatar is a favorite Gulf spot for workers and business people due to its lucrative and rapidly growing economy and high-quality living standards. You have the following advantages for a work visa
- Rapidly growing economy
- Getting a job is easy
- Political stability and a peaceful environment
- Multicultural work environment
- Supportive work-related rules
Minimum Salary of Workers in Qatar
Qatar has well-protected labor rights. The Ministry of Labor ensures the well-being of workers. The minimum salary in Qatar is 1000 QAR, whereas a company is responsible for providing food and housing to employees. If companies do not provide residents with food, they will pay workers an additional QAR 400 to 700 QAR allowance.
Normal Working Hours in Qatar
Regular working hours in Qatar are 48 hours a week. So, working hours per day is 10 hours whereas Friday is an official weekly holiday in most offices.
Reasons for Qatar Work Visa Rejections
Qatar has a very easy visa process; most visa seekers get visas. However, the following are a few reasons for the rejection of Visa.
- Incomplete Application/ Error in Application
- Crime history of a person in Qatar
- Any Spelling mistake in Passport and educational documents
- Expiry of Passport less than 6 months
- Hepatitis B or any other disease that is transmissible to others
- Incorrect Visa Category
- Incomplete supporting documents
Frequently Asked About Question Qatar Work Visa
What is Age limit for a Qatar work Visa?
The minimum age for getting a Qatar work permit is 16 years. Under labor law, a child under 16 cannot be employed. Similarly, the maximum age limit for work is 60 years
How to check Qatar Visa Status?
You can check Your Visa status through the MOI official portal, QVC website and Metrash2 Mobile. Furthermore, you can also get information about your Visa offline by visiting the Qatar Embassy or Consulate.
How do you check the Validity of a Qatar Visa?
You can check the validity of your Visa from the official Ministry of Qatar website (MOI Portal ) with the help of a passport number or visa number.
How long is the Visa processing time for a Qatar Work Visa?
The Visa process for Qatar Work Visa and Work Permits takes 3 weeks, whereas the processing of a residency certificate takes more than 3 weeks.
Is a sponsor mandatory for a work Visa in Qatar?
Yes, a sponsor is mandatory for a work visa. Your company is your sponsor, and they have filed your visa application. You can not get a work visa without an employment contract form from any registered company in Qatar.
Is it possible to change jobs under a Qatar Work Visa?
You can change your job, but you must get NOC from your previous company. If your company refuses to give you NOC, you cancel your existing Visa. After cancellation, your new company will apply for a new Visa for you.
What is the cost of a Qatar Work Visa?
The cost of Qatar work may vary for different countries, but usually, it costs QAR 200 and QAR 500 for a work permit residency certificate. So, The cost of a Qatar Work Visa is around QAR 700
Can I get a work Visa?
Yes, you can get a job with a Qatar work Visa, but you must have a work permit residency certificate.
How can I renew my work visa?
Your employee or company will apply for renewal of your VisaVisa. You need to provide an updated Valid passport Copy, Renewed Contract Form, passport-size photo, Visa Residency permit, and Educational Documents (If Any). You are advised to start the Visa renewal process 3 months before the Visa expiration to avoid any problems.
What is the validity period of a work visa?
Qatar issues work visas with multiple entries for 1 to 3 years. The validity period slightly varies according to your nationality. The Validity period for passport holders of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Philippines is 180 days.
Can I change my sponsor?
Yes, you can change your sponsor and get a new job. You need to get an NOC from the previous sponsor to join without canceling your Visa. On the other hand, you would have to cancel your previous Visa and apply for a new one.
