How to Get Qatar Return Permit (2024 Guide)

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What Is Qatar Return Permit?

A Return Permit (also called a re-entry permit) is a temporary document granted for those who have stayed out of the country for more than six (6) months, and his/her residency is still valid and has the prior approval of entry.

This document can also be used if the resident loses their passport or Residence Card while outside Qatar.

This article explains how residents can apply for Qatar Return Permit if they overstay outside Qatar (staying out for more than six months) or lose their Qatar ID while abroad.

How Many Days Can I Stay Outside Qatar?

You can stay up to 180 days (6 months) out of Qatar with a valid Residence Permit. To return after six months, you will need a Return Permit (re-entry permit) processed by the sponsor.

Return Permit For Residents Outside Qatar

If you, a member of your family, or a member of your staff, have stayed out of the country for more than six (6) months and the residency is still valid, and you have prior approval of entry, you can apply for a Return Permit.

Different document requirements depend on who the sponsor is. The fee varies from QR 200 to QR 500 again, depending on the sponsorship type. Here are the details:

1. For those on sponsorship of companies and establishments

This permit is granted to an expatriate on the sponsorship of an establishment who has stayed out of the country for more than 6 months, and his residence permit is still valid.

The sponsor can apply online (Metrash 2) or through MoI Service Center.

On Metrash2, this option is available under: “Leave Notification” – “Return Permit”.

Below are the requirements to apply through MoI Service Center:

Requirements:

  • Submission of the application from the sponsor
  • Copy of the establishment card of the company
  • Passport copy of the sponsored person
  • In case of passport loss, a copy of a Lost Passport Certificate and copies of the old and new passports is required.
  • Fee: QR 500 (Pay by credit/debit card)

2. For those on personal sponsorship of an expatriate

This permit is granted to family members of residents who have stayed out of the country for more than 6 months and whose residence permit is still valid.

The sponsor can apply on Metrash2 or through MoI Service Center.

On Metrash2, this option is available under: “Leave Notification” – “Return Permit”.

Below are the requirements to apply through MoI Service Center:

Requirements:

  • Submission of the application from the sponsor
  • Passport copy or the ID card copy of the sponsor
  • Passport copy of the sponsored person
  • In case of passport loss, a copy of a Lost Passport Certificate and copies of the old and new passports is required.
  • Fee: QR 500 (Pay by credit/debit card)

3. For those on personal sponsorship of a Qatari national

This permit is granted for housemaids and those on their status who are on the personal sponsorship of a Qatari national and have stayed outside the country for more than 6 months.

The sponsor can apply on Metrash2 or through MoI Service Center.

On Metrash2, this option is available under: “Leave Notification” – “Return Permit”.

Below are the requirements to apply through MoI Service Center:

Requirements:

  • Submission of an application from the sponsor
  • Copy of the ID Card of the sponsor
  • Passport copy of the sponsored person
  • In case of passport loss, a copy of a Lost Passport Certificate and copies of the old and new passports are required.
  • Fee: QR 200 (Pay by credit/debit card)

Important Notes

If you lose your passport and get a return permit, your lost passport becomes invalid/blacklisted. You cannot use that passport in case you get it back.

The return permit has a validity period which will be mentioned on the permit. The sponsored person has to return to Qatar within the validity period.


FAQ on Qatar Return Permit


When is a Return Permit needed in Qatar?

If you, a member of your family, or a member of your staff, have stayed out of the country for more than 6 months and the residency is still valid, you can apply for a Return Permit.

How can I apply for Return Permit to Qatar?

The sponsor has to apply for Return Permit online via Metrash2 or by visiting any Ministry of Interior Service Centre.

How much does Qatar Return Permit cost?

A Qatar Return Permit can cost QR 500 (for company / personal sponsorship) or QR 200 (for housemaids).

How long is Qatar Return Permit valid?

The validity will be mentioned on the permit.

How long can I stay out of Qatar with Residence Permit?

You can stay up to six months out of Qatar with a valid Residence Permit. After six months, you can stay up to one year and return using a Return Permit. The QID should be valid during this period.

Can I go back to Qatar after 6 months?

A resident can go back to Qatar even after six months but will need a Return Permit processed by the sponsor. The Residence Permit should also be valid.


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  1. not allowed to enter the state of qatar with this rp 2019 ? After 6 months. I can aply New residence. Visa? Plss tell. Me

  2. my family has stayed outside from Qatar above 1 year but still ID card is valid 2020 how to get return visa

  3. If your the family members you sponsor styed more than 180 days BUT LESS THAN 360 days out of Qatar, use METRASH 2 application to apply for a “Return Permit”. Do so NO MORE THAN 15 DAYS BEFORE DATE OF ARRIVAL (as validity of return permit is 15 days) until they enter with their valid RP permit and reset the time counter of all this process.

    You can check their status on METRASH2 to know when exactly they got out of Qatar.
    You can either use METRASH2 to pay online with your credit card the 500 QAR per person,
    else you can go to Hamad Airport Gate 3, 2nd floor, passport room counter 6 (after all registration boots, on the left of the entrance of custom controls.

    The process is instantaneous, as soon as you pay their status is updated in the system, they have 15 days to enter Qatar. I usually do the process when I go to the airport to pick them up, it must be done before they have to pass the Qatari custom on arrival.

  4. Hello Kamlesh. I am facing a similar situation and they refused return visa as stay outside is more than a year. How about yours?

  5. My wife has stayed out for more than one year. Her rp expiry is in July, 2019. Can anyone guide me, what will be procedure to come back in Qatar.

  6. Can any one please guide me my mother visa is on my personal sponsorship can she enter after 6 months and before one year into qatar. She has a valid rp till nov 2017

    Any updates on any one who has actually done it after 6 momths and before rp expiry

    Note she has residence permit and not visit visa

  7. Hi,
    My visa is under my old passport with my fathers name as surname. But now I have new passport with my husband’s name as surname. But my RP is having old passport surname. Will they allow me in immigration?

  8. Hi, My 6 months will be completed by 11th of March. Can my extension be applied before the 11th of March so that I can arrive Qatar on 12th of March. I am unable to come to Qatar before 12th of March. I am thinking that since my 6 months will not be completed before 11th of March, the system will not take the extension application before 11th of March as well, This means if I arrive to Qatar on 12th of March the application will need to be submitted on 12th of March and get processed the same day? is it possible to get this processed the same day or does it take more time?

  9. My wife was out side qatar 27/7/2016 to 24/1/2017 , it is less than six months , but more than 180 days.
    whether she can enter in Qatar on 24/1/2017 without Resident Return Permit.

  10. Good Day! I have already Return Permit for my Son issued here in Qatar Immigration, I want to ask if it is need to stamp in Qatar Embassy in the Philippines? also Medical exam is required? Thanks!

    1. Hi Junior, Usually Embassy Stamping and Medical exam is only required for first time visitors only. If your son is on a Return Permit (still on Residence Visa), then it won’t be needed. However, please check with Philippines Embassy as we are not sure about the procedure in Philippines airport.

  11. I wanted to ask about the return permit for visit visa who are now in Qatar, what are the rules, and how it works?

  12. ‘Hi,
    I have encountered a massage of “cant issue a return permit with less than 6 months stay outside the country”!!! Does that mean that you can apply for extension only after 6 months period expire or something else?

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