Doha Guides Team regularly reviews this article to ensure the content is up-to-date and accurate. The last editorial review and update were on 16 January 2024.
To sponsor his family for a residence visa in Qatar, an expatriate resident must show 6 months of salary credit on his bank statement. Nowadays there is also some delay in processing of family residence visas. In order to overcome this time barrier, many expatriates bring their families on family visit visas and convert them to family residence visas later on.
In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to convert family visit to residence visa, including the required documents, fees, and other relevant information you need to know. Whether you are relocating to Qatar for work or to join your family, this article will help you navigate the family visa application process easily.
Can I Convert Family Visit to Residence Visa?
The answer is yes, you can convert a family visit to family residence visa without exiting the country. However please note that this is only possible after your family residence visa application is approved.
If you haven’t started your family’s residence visa process yet, see our detailed guide to family visa application.
Steps To Convert Family Visit to Residence Visa
Here is a quick summary of the process to change family visit visa to family RP visa:
After the family residence visa application has been approved, you need to follow the following steps:
Step 1: Pay Family Residence Visa Fee
Once you are notified that the visa is ready to print, you can pay the RP visa fee of QR 200 through your Metrash mobile app or directly at any MOI Service Centre. Now the visa can be printed from the MOI website.
Step 2: Change Visa Type
You can change the visa type either on Metrash app or directly at any MOI Service Centre. To change visa type without exiting the country, there will be an additional fee of QR 500 per family member. This fee should be paid using a bank card.
Option 1: Change visa type on Metrash
After you have paid the visa fee (QR 200) on your Metrash app:
- Go to “Visa Service”
- Select “Open Close Visa”
- Select “Personal”
- Click “Next”
- Enter old (Visit) and new (RP) visa numbers
- Pay QR 500
You will receive a confirmation and receipt. Print the receipt for next steps.
If you are facing any error during this process, you will have to go to any MOI Service Centre.
Option 2: Change visa type at MOI Service Centre
After you have paid the visa fee and printed the visa (QR 200), go to any MOI Service Centre. Request the Captain to convert family visit to residence visa.
The documents you need to carry are:
- Sponsor’s Qatar ID
- Family’s original passport
- Visit Visa copy
- Residence Visa copy
After payment, you will receive a Visit to RP Conversion Receipt.
Step 3: Update Medical Test Result
If you have not done the medical test for visit visa extension, you will need to do the full medical test at Medical Commission.
If you have already done the medical test for visit visa extension, you are not required to do the full medical test again. However you need to visit to the Medical Commission and request them to change your medical status (visit visa to residence visa). A regular health check-up may be done.
To update the status in the system you have to pay a fee of QR 100 per family member. This fee should be paid using a bank card.
The documents you need to carry are:
- Sponsor’s Qatar ID copy
- Family’s original passport
- Visit Visa copy
- Residence Visa copy
- Visit Visa Medical Receipt
- Visit to RP Conversion Receipt
The Medical Commission staff will ask you to write down the sponsor’s mobile number on the visa copy.
Normally, this step is not required for children under 15. After visit visa is converted to RP visa, check if “Issue Residence” option is available for them on Metrash. If it is not showing, you have to pay QR 100 at Medical Commission. You will need the child’s original passport and visa copy.
Step 4: Fingerprints Process
The next step is to perform fingerprinting. You can do this at any MOI Service Centre (except Wadi Al Banat / Al Duhail). This step is not required for children under 15.
The documents you need to carry are:
- Completed application form* (may not be required at some MOI centres)
- Sponsor’s Qatar ID copy
- Family’s original passport
- Passport copy
- Residence Visa copy
- Medical Receipt
- Visit to RP Conversion Receipt
*You can get this filled from a typing centre. You can also get the Qatar ID application form (needed in the next step) typed at the same time.
Step 5: Apply for Qatar ID
The final step is to apply for a Residence Permit Card (Qatar ID). You can do this at MOI Service Centre or online through Metrash.
Applying Qatar ID at MOI Service Centre
If you are applying for Qatar ID directly, you can apply at any Ministry of Interior (MOI) Service Centre.
The documents you need to carry are:
- Completed application form (download link)
- Sponsor’s Qatar ID copy
- Family’s original passport
- Residence Visa copy
- Medical Receipt
- Visit to RP Conversion Receipt
- Passport-size photo (blue background)
Qatar ID costs QR 500 for the first year. Once the fee is paid, the Qatar ID cards will be printed within 5 minutes.
Applying Qatar ID on Metrash
You can also do the same on Metrash by following the below steps:
- Open the Metrash2 app
- Go to the “Residency” section
- Select “Issue Residence Permit”
- Enter the required details
- Upload a passport size photo (blue background)
- Take a picture of a family member’s signature and upload it. (For children, write their names on a piece of paper and upload it as their signature).
- Pay QR 500 + QR 20 as QPost delivery charge
You can track your QID delivery on the MOI website. Use the sponsor’s QID number as the tracking number.
READ NEXT: Qatar Family Residence Visa Requirements and Application Process
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Special thanks to Mr. Faris Ahmed for sharing with us his recent experience in detail.
Hi, is middle name needed in the visa for you to enter qatar without any problem? They did not put my husband’s middle name on his RP visa. Thank you!
Hi KK, Only first and last names are mandatory. They should be as per the passport.
Hi can i change visa Hayaa to RP (approved) for my family members without exit qatar
Hi Fatema, If your Family RP is approved and you are on Hayya, you have to exit. Immigration is not allowing change inside country. Here is how you can do via Saudi border: https://www.dohaguides.com/visa-changing-process-via-abu-samra-land-border/
I have a monthly salary of 7000, and my company generously provides accommodation, food, and transportation. I would like to understand the eligibility and requirements for converting our current visit visas to family residence visas.
Hi Jes, Before converting current visa, you have to apply for Family Residence Visa and it should be approved. Although the salary requirement is QR 10,000, there is a chance that you will get approval if your salary is QR 7000 and you have family accommodation. When you get NOC from company make this accommodation part very clear (in Arabic). Here is how to apply: https://www.dohaguides.com/family-visa-in-qatar-requirements-documents/
Hi,
I applied for a family visit visa for my sister last January through Metrash2 and it was rejected.
Can I re-apply again via Metrash2 or do I need to go to the Immigration to request and delete my previous application on my Metrash2?
Thank you.
Hi Jessie, If you can still see the old application you will have to remove it first. If the old application is not visible you can apply again.
While applying for RP in Metrash for my baby who just arrived from India, I need to upload 2 files.
What is the 1st file to be uploaded? Is it a Birth Certificate or Passport or Passport pic with a blue background?
The 2nd file is the signature. How do I upload my 3-month-old baby’s signature?
Thanks!
Contact No. 66919296
Hi Minhaj, Which option did you select on Metrash? Was it for RP or QID?
hi i am on visit visa…can i change my visa to residence..my husband salary 9000+ accomodation
Hi Seems, Your husband can apply for Family RP. Once it is approved you can change visa type as explained in this article.
Hello DG ,
For Kids 4 & 6 Years Old , What will be the Educational qualification for printing RP shall we Put PRIMARY in Metrash2
Hi Arun, Primary is OK. Education doesn’t matter for children.
Hi DG,
Can I convert working visa into family visa?
Thank you
Hi Jannah, If your husband is eligible he can apply for Family RP with NOC from your current employer. There are some additional process involved. So it is better to contact a PRO or typing center.
In Metrash2 “Open Close Visa”
enter the visa numbers, we have the visit visa number but what we will enter for Old Visa? which visa number?
Hi Labernie, Old Visa is Visit Visa number, New Visa is Family RP Visa number.
My family is currently with me in doha under my sponsorship, if i resign from my company and join to a new company. Do i have to apply again for family visa or once i get my QID under the new sponsor i can continue to renew my family visa through metrash.
Appreciate your guide .
HI DG,
is it required blood group test? ID applying time
Hi Abdul, Blood group test is not required nowadays.
How to convert the visa for family (wife and daughter) from a tourist visa to Resident visa while they are in qatar
Hi Vinay, If it is Hayya Tourist Visa, they will have to exit and come back (after RP is approved). Currently you can do this through Air Arabia. Here are the details: https://www.dohaguides.com/visa-changing-process-via-abu-samra-land-border/
Hi
My brother is here in Doha now on a family visit visa. He is 29 years old and he is hoping to find work here. Would it be possible for my mother to convert his visa into family residency?
Help much appreciated
Hi Mark, You cannot sponsor your brother for Family RP. If he gets a job, his employer can sponsor his RP.
Hi.is it possible to change my sister family visit visa to resident visa??
Hi!
Please could you advise on steps required to convert Family Visit Visa to a Family Residence Visa for a 14 year old step-daughter.
I am a UK national and want to bring my step-daughter (Filipino national) onto my sponsorship (NOC from my employer is available). My wife was never married to the step-daughters father.
I have tried to find out exactly what documents would be required to prove the relationship but remain unsure. Any advice would be very welcome.
Hi Sam, First you should apply RP for your wife (if not already done). For your step-daughter’s RP, you need her birth certificate (to prove mother’s name) and your marriage certificate. Other process are same as normal RP application.
Hello all very helpful information here, however how do I convert my newborns visit visa to a residential permit if she was born in qatar? Any help would be appreciated.
Greetings to all, completed the application from Family Visit Visa to Family Resident Visa to Metrash2 and received message that there’s missing documents for the STATUS. Again reopened the system & followed the steps as required unfortunately Metrash not accepting what newly uploaded docs when click Submit. Kindly advise what can be done in this situation. Thank you.
Hi team
Wife is here on a 1 month visit visa.
Should i request for conversion or should i extend her visa first?
Hi Paul, Conversion is possible only after the family RP is approved. If it is already approved and you have enough time left for medical and fingerprint, you don’t have to extend. If it is not approved, you have to extend.
Thanks for the response and guidance. I really appreciate it.
I applied the rp on last year may 2022.
Hi Nishad, Sorry to hear that your application is pending for so long. May be you should follow-up with Gharaffa Immigration. You should also update bank statements.
Hi doha guides,
My wife and kids are in qatar on international haya card. Their permanent visa approved today. Can i change the haya entry to permanent visa without exiting qatar. Can they exit to saudi and re-enter to qatar if exiting is required.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Nishad, Please check with airport immigration if they can help. They may be able to update the visa type in their system. Or else you may need to exit to Saudi. But please note you may need Saudi visa as recently some people were not allowed to re-enter without Saudi exit stamp. Also could you please confirm if the RP was applied before Hayya visa was issued? This may be helpful to others.
I went today I have similar case
They told me to leave and re enter with the approved family visa.
So I’m gong to Abu Dubai for weekend and enter again, my question, will I have to pay again for fees for children and start the process from start on metrash ?
Hi Noor, If your family visa is approved, pay the visa fee and print the visa. Exit Qatar and come back. After you are back in Qatar proceed with medical, fingerprint and QID printing.
Hi Team Doha Guides,
My wife is here in Qatar on family visit visa , by 5th may she will complete 3 months, is there any chance i can extend her visa more 2 or 3 months.
if yes please tell what should i need to do for extending visa.
Thank you
Hi Ilyas, Based on the experience of those who visited Gharaffa today, now they are giving 14 days extension only.
As of June 2023, Family visit can be extended for another 90 Days.
First visa = 30 Days
Second = If medical exmaination from medical council completes within 7 days of Entry in Qatar, It Can extend 60 Days.
Third = Visit Gharafa Immigration prior to 7-10 days of visa expiry and they will extend it for 90 Days.
Total 6 Months. (Personal Experience)
Thanks for the update Nash. This will be helpful for others.
Hi nash do you think extension past 6 months is possible for mother in law?
Hi Ilyas,
I visited Gharaffa recently to get extension for my family visit visa and they gave me an extension of 30 days.
Plan to visit Gharaffa after 2:30pm for visa extension requests.
Hope the information helps.
Thanks for the update Surya.
Hi Doha Guides,
My family have arrived in Qatar using Family Visit Visa, please let me know the details for the step 1, is that means I have to apply family residence visa first through metrash or offline?
Thanks
Hi Muhammed, Yes, you need to apply for Family Residence Permit through Metrash. Once approved, you can follow above steps to convert.