Qatar Family Visa (Residence): Requirements and Guide 2024

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 August 2024.

What is Family Residence Visa in Qatar?

A Family Residence Visa is a visa that allows a foreign worker to sponsor their immediate family members, such as their wife and children, for a long-term stay in Qatar. Each family member, including infants, must obtain an individual Residence Visa to reside in Qatar.

To sponsor their family members, an expatriate resident must meet eligibility requirements such as profession, salary, and accommodation. Applicants must also submit several documents, including attested marriage certificates, children’s birth certificates, and more.

This article explains the eligibility requirements, required documents, visa fees, and step-by-step procedures for applying for a Qatar Family Residence Visa.

Qatar Residence Family Visa Latest News And Updates

August 2024 Family RP Status & Updates

As of July 2024, private sector employees with QR 10,000 salary are receiving approvals for the Family Residence Visa (RP).

In December 2023, the Ministry of Interior announced that private sector employees with “QR 6,000 salary with family housing provided by the employer”, would also be eligible for the Family RP. However, recently applicants earning below QR 10,000, even with family housing provided by the employer, have been facing rejections. Although some officials have reportedly mentioned changes in the rules, there has been no official announcement about this.

Recently, Metrash app does not display a placeholder for NOC from your employer. In such cases, you can upload the NOC along with your employment contract. Ensure you take a clear photo with both documents placed side by side.

MOI Service Center Working Hours (12 Aug 2024)

The General Directorate of Passports, under Qatar’s MOI, has announced the official working hours for its service centers and offices affiliated with the Unified Services Department. The newly published schedule, effective immediately, is as follows:
– 7:00 am to 12:30 pm: Mesaimeer, Al Shahaniya, Al Rayyan, Umm Salal, Al Wakra, Al Khor, Umm Al Seneem, and Al Shamal centers
– 7:00 am to 1:00 pm: Hamad Medical Corporation center (HMC)
– 7:30 am to 1:00 pm: Lusail center
– 7:00 am to 3:30 pm: Qatar Airways center
– 8:00 am to 1:00 pm: Souq Waqif, The Pearl, and Qatar Financial Centre (QFC)

Earlier Updates (since 2023)

In February 2024, the Ministry of Interior has announced that both employers and expatriates are required to complete residence permit procedures within 30 days of entering the country, as mandated by the law. Failure to do so may result in a fine of QR 10,000.

Since early August 2023, you don’t need to upload bank statements or education certificates on the Metrash mobile app anymore.

Verification of salary credit is now conducted through your employer’s Wage Protection System (WPS) transfer. Before applying for a Family RP, please ensure that your salary is credited through WPS by verifying with your employer.

Verification of education credentials is now based on the labour contract. Follow these steps to check your labour contract online. If you cannot locate your contract, please contact your employer’s PRO to update it before proceeding with your application.

Applicants whose WPS and labour contracts were found to be incomplete or incorrect received a “missing documents” status, and in some cases, applications were cancelled.

The above updates are based on available information derived from the experiences of other applicants. Please note that some of this information is not based on any official announcement. Individual outcomes may vary depending on various factors.

04 December 2023 Update: Eligibility Criteria

In December 2023, the Ministry of Interior clarified the eligibility criteria for Family Residence Permit as follows:
Government & Semi-government Employees: Family housing by employer [or] QR 10,000 salary, duly accredited with an employment contract.
Private Sector Employees: QR 10,000 salary [or] QR 6000 salary + Family housing by the employer. The profession should be technical or specialized (non-labour) duly accredited with an employment contract.
Children within 6-18 years of age must be enrolled in schooling inside or outside the country.
Health insurance is required during the duration of the stay, starting from the date of entry.

Qatar Family Visa Requirements

Here are the major requirements for an expatriate to sponsor his family:

1) Residence Permit

The first requirement is that the applicant (the sponsor) must have a valid Residence Permit. Your Qatar ID / Residence Card should be ready before you apply for a residence visa for your family.

2) Profession Requirement

The sponsor’s profession on the Qatar ID should be technical or specialized (non-labor). Those in the labor category, such as drivers, delivery boys, cleaners, etc., may not be eligible to sponsor their families irrespective of their salary.

3) Minimum Salary For Family Visa in Qatar

Currently, the minimum salary (official requirement) for a Family Residence Visa in Qatar is QR 10,000 for private-sector employees.

According to the December 2023 announcement, those with a “minimum salary of QR 6,000 + family accommodation provided by the employer” are also eligible. However, there appears to be a change in policy as applicants with salaries below QR 10,000 are now facing rejections (even with family accommodation). There has been no official announcement regarding this.

Until July 2023, approvals were granted only to those earning a minimum salary of QR 15,000. This requirement seems to have been relaxed starting from August 2023.

The salary requirements are in place to ensure that the sponsor can support their family’s expenses, including accommodation and groceries.


Qatar Family Visa Process

Before starting the application process for Family Residence Visas, check with your employer to see if they can assist you. While employers are not obligated to process or pay for Family Residence Visas, some companies handle this process as part of their employment poli

The Qatar Family Residence Visa process can be summarised as follows:

  • Step 1: Apply for a Family RP Entry Visa
  • Step 2: Family members enter Qatar
  • Step 3: Undergo Medical Test
  • Step 4: Undergo the Fingerprints Process
  • Step 5: Apply for Qatar ID
Qatar Family Residence Visa Process
Qatar Family Residence Visa Process

Let’s examine the above steps in detail:

Step 1: Apply for Family RP Entry Visa

The first step is to submit all the necessary documents to obtain approval for a family residence visa, which allows your family to enter Qatar. However, please note that other formalities, such as medical tests and fingerprinting, must be completed after their arrival.

Alternatively, you can bring your family on a Family Visit Visa, which involves a simpler process.

Once the Family Residence Visa is approved, you can change the visa type from a Family Visit Visa to a Family RP without leaving the country by paying a QR 500 fee. Here is our comprehensive guide on how to convert a Family Visit Visa to a Family RP Visa.

Documents Required for Qatar Family Visa Application

When applying for a Family Residence Visa through Metrash, you will need the following documents:

  1. Passports of spouse and children (front and back pages).
  2. Marriage Certificate for spouse (Attested*).
  3. Birth Certificates for children (Attested*).
  4. NOC (No-Objection Certificate) in Arabic from your employer, which should include your position and salary. This document must be dated within the last 3 months. If you cannot find the placeholder for this on the application form, you can upload the NOC along with your employment contract. Make sure to take a clear photo with both documents kept side by side.

Declaration of non-marriage for daughters is required if they are above 18 years of age and unmarried. Please note that married daughters are not eligible for sponsorship under their parents.

If you have adopted children, additional documents are required.

For stepchildren, you need to submit documents proving the relationship between the sponsor and the stepchild.

If your QID is expiring soon, you should renew it before proceeding with the application.

Attestation and Translation of Documents

*Documents that require attestation should be attested by the Qatar Embassy in your country OR your country’s Embassy in Qatar. You should also get it attested from Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Doha.

If documents such as Marriage Certificates or Birth Certificates are not in English or Arabic, you will need to have them translated. Translations should be uploaded to the “Other documents” section of Metrash.

There are many attestation service providers and typing centers in Qatar, that can help you with translation and attestation services.

Important Information About Documents

  • Document scans/photos must be clear and readable.
  • Metrash only accepts JPG images. PDF files are not accepted.
  • For documents with multiple pages, combine both pages into one JPG file (side to side). You can achieve this by keeping both pages together side-by-side and taking a single photo. Ensure that the text is clear and legible. For improved clarity, you can use any software to scan two pages and place them side-by-side before saving them as a JPG file. Here is a helpful online tool for merging documents.
  • The maximum size of the merged JPG document should be less than 500 KB. Any document with a size above 500 KB will not be uploaded and you need to resize it.
  • For the bank statement (if required), inform your bank that it is for the RP application so that they will print a one-page statement with salary credit only.
  • To avoid mistakes while uploading files from your mobile phone, create a new folder on your phone, name it “Family RP”, and keep only the final files there.

How To Apply Family Residence Visa through Metrash

Qatar MOI has simplified the application process by enabling applicants to submit their documents through the Metrash2 mobile app. If you haven’t registered for Metrash2 yet, please refer to our comprehensive Metrash2 User Guide.

For the family visa option to be active, the applicant’s labour contract should be uploaded online and linked to the Metrash system. In most cases, this will have already been done by the employer.

If you receive an error message on Metrash, please contact your employer to resolve this matter.

Here are the steps to apply for a Family Residence Visa on the Metrash2 mobile app:

  1. After logging into Metrash, click on the “Visa” icon.
Qatar Family Residence Visa Metrash Step 1

2. Click on the “Issue Visa” icon on the next screen.

Qatar Family Residence Visa Metrash Step 2

3. Click on the “Family Visit” icon on the next screen.

Qatar Family Residence Visa Metrash Step 3

4. Select “Family Resident Application” on the next screen.

IMPORTANT NOTE: By default, this will be selected as Family Visa Application (which is for Family Visit Visa applicants). For Residence Visas, you have to change this selection as shown below:

Metrash Family Resident Visa Selection

5. Click on “New Application” (bottom right of the screen).

6. Carefully fill in the form with the details of your family member. Click on “Validate”.

Qatar Family Residence Visa Metrash Fill Details

7. Verify the details on the next screen. Select “I agree on the validity of data”. Click “Next”.

Validate Data Qatar Family Residence Visa Metrash

If there is any mistake, you can click the “Back” button and edit it. Make sure to review the data before confirming, as any mistake in the application can prevent the visitor from entering the country.

8. The next screen will have placeholders for uploading documents. Follow the instructions on the screen, and upload scanned copies or photos of the documents.

Metrash ColumnWhat To Upload
Marriage certificateFront page of the marriage certificate.
Marriage certificate (others)Attested back side of the marriage certificate.
Salary certificate (if you see this option)Company NOC (in Arabic with salary and profession).
Other documents (if you see this option)Upload the same Company NOC once again.
Copy of employment contractPrivate Sector: Upload the Ministry of Labour Contract (how to download the labour contract).

Public Sector: Upload your Company Computer Card.

QFC or other Free Zone Company: Upload your Company Computer Card.
Passport copyVisitor’s passport front.
Passport copy (other)Visitor’s passport back.
Birth certificate (for children only)Attested birth certificate of the child. Attestation is not needed if child is born in Qatar.

After uploading all the documents, click “Next”.

9. On the next screen, confirm your submission by clicking on “Yes”.

10. Your application number will be generated after this step. You can click on the arrow sign on the right to check the status. Once submitted it will be “Under Process”. Later it will change to “Under Review”.

If the application is rejected, the reason will be given as notes on this page.

If the visa is approved, you can pay the visa fees (QR 200) online via Metrash or pay at the Immigration Office. The visa can be downloaded from this link.

Missing Documents Error

If any of the documents are not submitted or submitted documents are not clear, you may receive a “missing documents” error. In such a case, check what document is missing and upload that.

NOTE: For those who received a “Missing Documents” message in the third stage and have submitted the required documents, their application status will revert to “Under Review.”

If you are in the third stage and need assistance, you can visit Duhail Immigration and request assistance from the female officers. They can update your application and move it back to the final stages.

“Null” Status on Family Visa Application Receipt

Some of our readers have raised concerns that the receipt they received after application submission shows “null” in most fields. Please note that this is normal for all applicants. This document is only an acknowledgement that they received your application. Your application details will be in the system.

How To Check Qatar Family Visa Status

You can check the status of your Qatar Family Residence Visa application on the Metrash mobile app.

From the home screen, click on “Visa,” and then select “Visa Follow Up.” Now, you can see all your applications. Click on the arrow icon on the right to check the status of your application.

Family Visa Application Status (Under Process & Under Review)

Applicants often get confused about changes to their family visa application status. Normally each application goes through “Under Process”, “Under Review”, and once again to “Under Process” status before getting approved.

Below is a typical flow of status for visa applications and what each stage means:

StageMetrash StatusWhat This Means
1st stageUnder ProcessApplication is submitted.
2nd stageUnder ReviewThe file is currently under review by a junior officer. This stage may take several days or even weeks.

If the sponsor fails to meet eligibility conditions, the application may be rejected. If any document is missing or doesn’t meet the requirements, the sponsor will receive a notification. Once eligibility is confirmed, and the documents are in order, the file will proceed to the next stage
3rd stageUnder ProcessThe file is with a senior officer (usually the Captain) for final approval. Rejection at this stage is very rare.
4th stageUnder Process with the visa number issuedThe file is approved by Duhail Immigration. Now the file is under CID clearance. Usually, it would be approved within one week. Visiting Duhail will not help.

For children below 15 years, CID clearance is not required. The status will be “Ready To Print”. However, the visa can be only printed after the mother’s application is approved.
5th stageVisa Approval / Ready To PrintAfter CID clearance, the sponsor will get approval SMS. Now the visa is fully approved. You can pay QR 200 and print the visa.

NOTES:

  • Under Review to Under Process means almost approved.
  • Under Review to Under Process can be done only by the Captain (senior officer) at Duhail Immigration. Even if your application is in Stage 1, the Captain has the authority to move it directly to Stage 4.
  • For children below 15 years, it will be direct approval, after the 3rd stage (as they don’t need CID clearance). However, the visa can be only printed after the mother’s application is approved.
  • If your application status changes between Under Process and Under Review, you do not have to do anything. In most cases, the application will be approved within a few days of a change in status.
  • The status we see on our Metrash and the status on their system may vary.

Time Required For Family RP Approval

Unfortunately, there is no exact timeframe for the process. It varies from person to person; some may have their changes processed in several days or weeks, while for others, it may take months.

The only consistent timeframe we have seen is that if it’s in the 4th stage (Under Process with a visa number), then CID clearance is usually completed within a week for full approval.

Keep checking your Metrash for updates and if you don’t see much movement in your file even after several weeks, you can consider visiting the Duhail Immigration office. However, we do not suggest that you visit Immigration within 1-2 weeks of application.

Mistake In Family RP Visa: What To Do

Once you receive the approved entry visa, ensure that the visa contains accurate information such as the name, passport number, etc. For the wife, the profession will be mentioned as “Housewife”, and for children, it will be mentioned as “Student/Child”.

If the information is incorrect, visit any MOI office and meet with a Captain, providing a printed RP visa and a copy of the passport. Corrections for individuals below 15 years of age will be made on the spot, while those above 15 will need to undergo CID clearance once again.

“Missing Documents” Error For Family RP

If you receive a “Missing Documents” message on Metrash, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Metrash mobile app.
  2. Click on “Issue Visa”.
  3. Select “Family Visit”.
  4. Check the box for “Family Resident Application”.
  5. Click on “RP Application”.
  6. Click on “Upload Documents”.
  7. You will find a box indicating the required document. Upload that specific document only.
  8. If it shows “Other Document” normally it would be the Company NOC in Arabic.
    • If you receive the “Missing Documents” notification multiple times for “Other Documents,” verify the accuracy of the content in the Company NOC with a typing centre. Make sure everything is correct and add any necessary information.
  • Many individuals see the “X” error after submitting the missing documents.
  • Try compressing images to a size under 100KB. You can use online tools for “Compress Image” or try using a different phone or an iPhone.
  • Another option is to take direct photos from the Metrash app using the phone camera (instead of uploading stored files).
  • Note: If the documents are successfully submitted, the Metrash status will usually change from “Missing Documents” to “Under Process”.

What to do if the family visa application is rejected?

Sometimes, your visa application can be rejected even if you meet the requirements. In such cases, you can visit the Immigration Office and request a meeting with the visa approval committee.

Take a copy of the visa application receipt as they will keep the original receipt with them. They will give you a copy mentioning the meeting date.

If there is no serious problem with your submitted documents after their scrutiny, you will be given an appointment date with the visa approval committee.

During the meeting, the committee will ask you simple questions such as your qualifications and profession. Take the originals of all documents you submitted, including your education certificates, in case they ask for them. If everything is OK, you will get approval in two days.


Step 2: Family Members enter Qatar

Once the Family Entry Visa is approved, family members can travel to Qatar.

Documents Required For Travel

The following are required when travelling to Qatar under Family RP (for the first time):

  1. Passport
  2. One-way flight ticket
  3. RP visa (Entry visa) copy
  • A return flight ticket is not required when coming on a Family RP visa.
  • Health insurance is not required when coming on a Family RP visa.

Family Residence Visa Validity

Usually, visa holders can enter within 180 days of visa approval (note that in some recent cases, the validity was only 90 days, while some others got one year). The last entry date will be given on the visa. The validity is counted from the date the visa number is issued (not the date of printing the visa).

How To Renew Visa If Not Able To Travel

If you can’t travel within this period, there is an option to extend the entry visa by paying QR 200, which will further extend the validity by 180 days.

To renew the entry visa before entering Qatar:

  • Open Metrash mobile app.
  • Go to “Visa Services”.
  • Select “Renew Visa”.
  • Click on “Personal”.
  • Select the visa and pay the visa fee (QR 200).
  • The visa will be further extended for 180 days.

Note: This renewal has to be done before expiry of the entry visa.

Period To Complete RP Process After Entry

Once a person enters Qatar on a Family RP visa, medical examinations and fingerprinting should be completed within 30 days from the entry date, and the QID should be printed.

Note that the same duration applies to someone whose entry is converted by paying QR 500 (everyone requires conversion regardless of age) from a Family Visit Visa to a Family RP Visa. In other words, medical fee payment and fingerprinting must be completed within 30 days from the conversion date, and the QID should be printed.

Step 3: Undergo the Medical Test

The visa holder shall start the Residence Permit (RP) procedure by completing a medical examination. This test aims to protect population health and prevent infectious diseases spread by newcomers.

The Medical Commission is responsible for conducting visa-related medical exams in Qatar. The Medical Commission Department is located on Al Muntazah Street, off the E-Ring Road (Google map). The Medical Commission’s working hours are Sunday to Thursday, 07:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m.

The medical examination may include a blood test for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. You will also undergo a physician’s check-up and chest X-ray for screening for Tuberculosis,

Documents Required

The following documents are required for the medical test:

  • Family member’s original passport
  • Passport copy
  • Residence Visa copy with sponsor’s mobile number written on it
  • Sponsor’s Qatar ID copy
  • Debit/Credit card for payment of fees

The fee for the Medical Test is QR 100 per person.

Here is our detailed guide to Medical Tests for Family RP in Qatar.

If you are converting a visit visa to a residence visa, you must inform the officer about converting the visit visa into a residence visa. If you have already done the medical for a visit visa extension, they may not do the test again.

The medical examination results are electronically sent to the residency system at the Ministry of Interior. You will receive the result on your Metrash mobile app or as an SMS two or three days after the medical test. You can also check the results online on the MoPH website.

The average time required for updating the medical results in the system is 3 days.

If you don’t receive any SMS within 3 days, you can call the MOPH helpline 16000 or visit the Medical Commission office.

Check Qatar Medical Test Result Online
Screenshot from MOPH Website

Medical Tests For Children

Normally children under 15 years do not have to go for a medical test. When the child arrives in Qatar, check the sponsor’s Metrash app to see if the “Issue Residence Permit” option is available to them.

If the option is not showing, you have to pay QR 100 at the Medical Commission (show original passport and visa copy). They will update the status in the system.

Step 4: Undergo the Fingerprints Process

After completing the medical test, adults must register their fingerprints digitally with the Ministry of Interior. Fingerprinting is not required for children under 15 years.

The CEID office on Salwa Road is the main center for this service. This option is also available at some MOI Service Centres (except Gharaffa and Souq Waqif). For females, MOI Service Centres like Mesaimeer are asking to go to the CEID office at Salwa.

Documents Required

The following documents are required for the fingerprinting:

  • Fingerprint Application Form. You can get this filled out from a typing centre*. (This may not be required at some MOI Service Centres)
  • Family member’s original passport
  • Passport copy
  • Residence Visa copy
  • Sponsor’s Qatar ID copy
  • Medical Receipt

Once the fingerprint process is complete, you will receive an update on the Metrash app or SMS.

The average time required for updating the fingerprint results in the system is 3 days. If you don’t receive any SMS within 3 days, you may have to go back and check.

*You can also get the Qatar ID application form (needed in the next step) typed at the same time.

Step 5: Apply for a Qatar ID Card

The final step is to apply for a Residence Permit Card (Qatar ID). You can do this at the MOI Service Centre or online through Metrash.

Option 1: Applying for 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.

Documents Required

The following documents are required to apply for Qatar ID at the MOI Service Centre:

  • Completed application form (download link). You can get this filled up from a typing centre**.
    Family member’s original passport
  • Sponsor’s Qatar ID
  • Family member’s passport-size photo (35 x 45 mm with a blue background)

A blood group certificate is NOT needed nowadays.

MOI officials will ask the family members to sign on the form near the photo. For children, you can write their name instead of their signature.

Screenshot of the Application Form for Qatar ID
Screenshot of the Application Form for Qatar ID

**Some MOI Service Centres require applicants to bring the completed application form, while some MOI centres will give a paper to sign.

Qatar ID Fee

The Residence Permit costs QR 500 for the first year.

Once the fee is paid, the Qatar ID will be printed within 5 minutes.

Option 2: Applying for Qatar ID through Metrash

This option is required only if you do not want to visit the MOI Service Centre. Once you receive a message that the fingerprint is OK, follow the below steps:

  1. Open the Metrash2 app .
  2. Go to the “Residency” section.
  3. Select “Issue Residence Permit”.
  4. Enter the required details.
  5. Upload a passport-size photo (blue background).
  6. 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.
  7. Pay QR 500 + QR 20 as a QPost delivery charge.

You can track your QID delivery on the MOI website. The sponsor’s QID number can be used for tracking.

QPost Request Tracking On MOI Website
QPost Request Tracking on the MOI website

Qatar Family Visa Fees

Below is a breakdown of all costs associated with a family residence visa:

Qatar Family Visa Fee (per dependent)QR 200
Medical Commission Test Fee (per dependent)QR 100
Residence Permit Fee (for one year)QR 500

Document attestation and typing centre fees (if required) will be extra. There will be an additional charge of QR 500 per person if you transfer a visit visa to a residence visa without exiting the country.

Travelling To Qatar

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Registering For National Address

Once the QID is printed, ensure that the National Address is registered for the new QID holder. You can do this at any MOI service centre or through the Metrash mobile app.

Children’s National Addresses can be registered using their sponsor’s Metrash app. For the wife to register on Metrash, she needs to obtain a SIM card with her own QID and then proceed to register a National Address.

Please note that a resident’s Qatar ID cannot be renewed without registering his/her National Address.

Rules For Sponsoring Adult Children

When applying for visas, it’s important to know that male children aged 25 years and over are not eligible to be on either parent’s visa. There is no age restriction for daughters as long as they are not married.

Children with existing QIDs exceeding the legal age may be granted a Residence Permit under their parents’ sponsorship for one more year to find an employer the following year.

Work Permit for Spouse and Children

Dependent spouses and children above 18 who wish to work require a special work permit to work while under family sponsorship. This work permit can also be applied for using the Metrash app.

Here is a detailed video explaining the residence visa steps:


FAQ on Qatar Family Residence Visa


What is the minimum salary for a family visa in Qatar?

As of 2024, you should have a minimum salary of QR 10,000 to be eligible for sponsoring your family in Qatar. According to MOI those with a salary of QR 6000 + family accommodation by employer, are also eligible

What to do if my family visa application is rejected?

If the family visa application is rejected, you can visit the Duhail Immigration Office and request a meeting with the visa approval committee.

How can I renew the Residence Permit for my family?

You can renew the Residence Permit (QID) for family members using the Metrash2 application. The payment can be made online, and delivery will be by QPost.

Can I get a residence visa for extended family members?

In Qatar, family residence visas are generally issued only to immediate family members like spouses and children. Parents can be sponsored in exceptional cases.

How much does a family visa cost in Qatar?

The cost of an initial entry visa is QR 200 and Qatar ID is QR 500 per year. There are other expenses like Medical Test fees (QR 100) and miscellaneous expenses like attestation charges.

What to do if the application is “Under Process” for a Family Visa in Qatar?

If the application status of your family visa is still “Under Process” after submission, there is nothing much to do except wait. Note that as of 2023, there is a delay in most applications.

What is the meaning of Family Visa “Under Review”?

If the family visa status is under review, it means the file is being processed by an officer. This is normally a good sign.

Is health insurance required for a Family Residence Visa?

No, health insurance is not required for a Family Residence Visa. It is only needed for visit visas.

Reader Experiences
We are compiling the recent successful experiences of some of our readers so that it will help others. You can read Family RP Reader Experiences here.


Related Articles:

  1. How To Convert Family Visit Visa To Residence Visa
  2. How To Apply Qatar ID For A Baby Born In Qatar
  3. Visa Changing Process via Air Arabia or Abu Samra Land Border
  4. How To Transfer Wife To Husband Sponsorship
  5. How Can A Mother Sponsor Children In Qatar
  6. How Can A Wife Sponsor Husband in Qatar
  7. How To Cancel Hayya Card Visa
  8. Pregnancy And Baby Delivery in Qatar: Full Guide
  9. Medical Test For Family Residence Visa in Qatar
  10. Qatar Family Visit Visa: Requirements and Application Guide
  11. How To Get Visa On Arrival for Baby Born Outside Qatar

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Special thanks to Mr. Faris Ahmed & Mr. Siraj for sharing their knowledge and experience.

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4,465 thoughts on “Qatar Family Visa (Residence): Requirements and Guide 2024”

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  1. Hi Team ,

    Please suggest can we visit any MOI Service center for Family RP Approval or we have to Visit only The MOI Gharaffa

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Arun, Ganesh is right. Approval for RP is from Gharaffa only. But please note they are not allowing follow-up entry for private sector now. May be you can try after Eid holidays.

  2. I recently received a notification on Metrash indicating that a document is missing, but unfortunately, it does not specify which document is required. I would like to highlight that I took utmost care in uploading all the necessary documents as per my understanding. However, this situation has left me somewhat perplexed and uncertain. I kindly request the assistance of anyone who may be familiar with the specific documents typically required in this context. Your guidance and insights would be greatly appreciated as I work towards resolving this matter promptly and ensuring all necessary documentation is provided. Thank you for your understanding and support.

    1. Doha Guides Team

      HI Majid, This can be anything. We normally see this when the backside of education or marriage certificate (attestation side) is missing, company NOC is missing (should be uploaded to other documents), or bank statement was issued many months back.

  3. Hello Guys!

    My wife is with me in Qatar with Haya card visa, she is into 9m of pregnancy. I have already applied for RP.

    As per law as soon as she gets the approval she needs to exit from Qatar and then return back. But due to her medical condition travelling is not possible.

    Can someone please suggest me the solution?

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Prakash, Once her RP is approved, get a medical certificate from doctor saying that she cannot travel due to pregnancy (preferably from Hamad). Visit Airport Immigration (near Cargo section) with all documents. If they understand the situation, they may help you in changing the status without exit.

  4. Hi DG team,
    Thank you for such a nice article and accurate guidance. My family RP application is under review for 4 weeks. I am a private employee with salary above 15k. I visited gharrafa in the last week of May but they didn’t allow me to enter and meet captain. Are they allowing pvt employees to meet captain at Gharrafa office now ?

    1. Hi yusuf,
      They are not allowing private employee to meet captain. My husband went there last week, twice but they refuse to allow him in. According to them come back 3 weeks. More over working time now is 6.30am to 12.30pm. u can try ur luck.
      Good luck

    2. Doha Guides Team

      Thanks Yusuf, They are not allowing follow-up entry now (but people are still getting approvals). If you don’t get approved, you can try after Eid holidays.

  5. Hi DG

    I used metrash2 to apply for Transfer of sponsorship of my wife from her father to Mine (husband). I used to the employer change in the metrash2 application. Is this the correct way. Can you help me

  6. Hi DG,

    How long does it take from finger print process to QID issuance? It has been more than a week we last visited MOI.

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi VOA, Usually you get approval message within few days of fingerprint. After this you have to apply for QID and it would be issued same day.

  7. Dear Doha Guides Team,

    First of all many thanks to all of you for this wonderful work you’ve been doing. This is really commendable. And, best part is that your information are quite updated and correct.

    My family is on Hayya here with me. I applied for their residence permits (family residence visa) on 20th September, 2022. As it was clear that nothing would happen during Fifa, we waited until it’s over.

    In the first week of May, 2023 I received an update on Metrash as “Documents Missing”. I inferred it must be the salary statements as I applied in September in the last year and that was obviously older for now. I thought they needed updated one and I uploaded that. Thankfully, after 2 or 3 days the status changed as Under Review. Now, it took a longer time of almost 15 days and then somewhere around 17th May the status changed to Under Process. I looked into your reports and got some pacification that it was a good sign else after Under Review it could have been rejected if our case wasn’t suitable along with documents.

    Now, it’s almost 3 weeks and it’s still Under Process. I had read in your report that normally it should take 3 working days after this. But it’s now almost 3 weeks. I am concerned now. Can you please l guide me on this? Is it any sign that it’s going to be rejected? Should I visit the MOI Gharafa now?

    Please help.

    1. Hi SA, Good To hear your application is being processed further mine is struck in first stage of under process from long time. May i know what is ur salary bracket is more than 15K or Less? And your from Private company or Govt company?

      1. Hello NM,

        I am a private employee, not in the government. My salary is above 15k bracket.

        Wish you the best!

    2. Doha Guides Team

      Hi SA, Thanks for your kind words. The three days time we mentioned is for CID review after visa number is issued. In your case the visa number is not issued yet and it seems the file is still with Gharaffa awaiting final approval. Nowadays it is normal to take few weeks at this stage. Hopefully it would be cleared soon.

      1. Thanks a lot DG Team for the information.
        Under Review to Under Process means probability of approval is there. Is this we can say?

        Also, I need your guidance in one thing – My family is on Hayya. So, hopefully if we get the approval, do they need to exit? If yes, exit means going back to your country is mandatory or they can leave the country and go anywhere like Kuwait etc and come back? Please advise.

  8. Hi Doha guides.
    My kid visa approved today but my wife application still showing under process with visa number issued. I checked with gharaffa they told it’s under security check. Do you know how much time it will take to approve and do i need to visit somewhere for followup other then Gharrafa as Gharaffa mentioned it’s done from our end.
    Thanks in advance

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Saidi, CID clearance (security check) is usually done in 1-3 working days. You don’t have to do anything.

  9. Currently, it is not a good idea to bring family visits visa and convert RP

    Because I bring my family visit visa but still RP is under process, now I need to return them and bring after RP approval

  10. Hi All,

    Any PRO who try the family residence visa for Pvt employees.please ping here where can help us in this situation to many family.

    The security are not allowing and saying same come after 3weeks

  11. Kudos to the exhaustive guide on Family visa.
    I am currently resident of UAE and have received just now the Qatar work visa (Senior Manager profession) issued by future employer based in Doha. Can I apply for Hayya Tourist visa of 30 days for my wife and 11 year old daughter so that we all can travel together to Qatar at the same time ? We plan to travel from India to Doha together. Upon arrival once I get my Qatar ID is it possible to convert their current Hayya Tourist visa to Family Residence visa ? Do you have an article to refer for such scenario ? What is your advise on the same ?

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Vinay, Thanks for the kind words. You can apply for Tourist Visa and travel together. However there are some issues with this. Hayya Tourist Visa is only issued for 30 days. However Family RP application requires you to submit 6 months bank statement (salary credit). This means you can only apply for family RP after 5 or 6 months of working in Qatar (unless you work in public sector). What most people do to overcome this barrier is to apply for Family Visit Visa (after QID is stamped), which can be extended for at least 3 months or up to 6 months if you are lucky. Also note that Family Residence Visa takes at least few weeks to be approved. So you need to consider all these before planning. Regarding conversion, Family Visit to Family RP is possible (after RP is approved).

  12. Hello Doha Guide Team,

    I apply for my brother “family visit visa” on Metrash 2, I follow the steps given there and I attached photos of the requirements; birth certificate of him & me, passport, return ticket. After 3 days I received message from MOI, telling that the status is “Missing Documents”. Although I attached all the documents needed on my first try, I attached it all again. But unfortunately the status was not change, still showing the “missing documents”. Can you help me for this, what is the right thing to do at this moment?

    Thanks and best regards,

    Melvin

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Melvin, Only married expats with family in Qatar can sponsor other relatives. Is your wife in Qatar (under your sponsorship)?

  13. Hello, Doha guides team,
    My family came on hayya card in May 2023, I applied for a residence visa for my family on 8th July 2022, and now on 8th July 2023 will the application be automatically canceled? And if so, will I be able to apply again since they are on Hayya Visa? Will I be able to apply again if they leave the country? and they again enter with Hayya after I have submitted the residence visa application?

    Please help, I have been struggling for the past 1 year. My salary is also above 15K but still not getting the approval. It’s currently under review for the past 1 month.

    Thanks in advance

    1. Hi, I have faced the same issue, I have applied in 08th May 2022 and after 15days Status shown “rejected” and it got cleared automatically on 08th May 2023. Now I have applied for new Visa it is showing “Under Review” form last one month.

    2. Doha Guides Team

      Hi B, Since it has been almost one year, you can update your bank statements by visiting Gharaffa (It is better to go after 1:30 pm, but we are not sure if they would allow entry as we hear nowadays they don’t work in the afternoon).

  14. Hi DG,
    I had completed medical for me for RP and for my son who is 3 years old they said no need for medical test and I haven’t paid for my son. I have a doubt, where can I go for fingerprint process and may I know what are the procedures for my son

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Safrin, Fingerprint for adults can be done from MOI Service Center like Mesaimeer. Fingerprint is not required for your son.

  15. Hi can you mention how can i apply for work permit in RP ? is it is done through my hussband or my employer? can u mention the steps

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Nika, It should be done by your employer. They would also need an NOC from your husband. They will advise you how to do that.

  16. Hi DG!

    I got my RP approvals. Now I’m in Qatar on a Hayya card. I would like to take an exit from Saudi Arabia. But I heard news that nowadays hayya holders are not allowed to enter Saudi Arabia. Is this true? Please help me.

  17. Shifa Ibrahim

    Hi DG!

    I got my RP approvals. Now I’m in Qatar on a Hayya card. I would like to take an exit from Saudi Arabia. But I heard news that nowadays hayya holders are not allowed to enter Saudi Arabia. Is this true? Please help me.

  18. Hi,
    I already applied for RP for my wife and kids and it’s under review status. don’t know how long I have to wait to get it approved. So I thought of bringing them on July ( next month). Which one is better( untill RP approval), Haya visa or Family visit visa? Your reply will be appreciated and it will be very helpful. If I take haya visa is there any barrier for RP approval? Once it approved will they have to exit and enter again? Is there any other options pls do suggest

    Thanks

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Raaf, Hayya With Me will give longer stay (till January 2024), but they will have to exit and re-enter after RP is approved. Family Visit Visa can be converted to RP without exit, but sometimes you won’t get extension beyond 90 days. Note that children cannot get school admission on Hayya or Visit.

      1. Thankyou team Doha Guide for the reply
        And one more doubt is if they come in haya , once we get RP approval ,do we need to cancel the haya to get RP visa?? Or just need to exit and re enter??

        1. Doha Guides Team

          Hi Raaf, They can exit and re-enter. Just inform the immigration official that they want to enter on RP.

  19. Hi DG,
    My Rp application was in 3rd stage (under process)
    I had also applied for visit visa and it got approved.
    Now today my rp application is showing ’deferred’.
    Reason: already have valid unused visa

    Is there any solution to this ? Or my family must enter qatar and then the process will continue??