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 02 February 2024.
National identity cards are identification documents issued by a nation’s government to its citizens and residents. Usually, they would have the holder’s photo, identification details and national identity number.
A Qatar ID card (commonly called QID) is used to prove a person’s identity and residency in Qatar. This article will discuss everything you need to know about Qatar ID cards.
There are broadly two types of Qatar IDs:
- Cards issued to Qatari Citizens – titled “State of Qatar ID Card”, and
- Cards issued to Expatriate Residents – titled “State of Qatar Residency Permit”.
Qatar ID Card Format
Qatar Citizen’s ID cards (National ID) contain the card holder’s photo, name, date of birth, nationality, ID number, expiry, and signature. Below is the design format of the ID card for Qatari citizens.
Expatriate Residents’ cards (Residency Permit) contain the card holder’s photo, name, date of birth, nationality, occupation, employer details, passport details and signature. It would also contain the QID number and expiry date of the card. Below is what the QID for expatriate residents looks like.
For expatriate residents, two types of QID cards are available:
- Regular plastic cards that are commonly used, and
- Smart cards that allow access to government services.
Smart ID Cards
Qatar’s smart ID cards are plastic cards with an embedded electronic chip that contains digital data. These are more secure and can be used for online government transactions by inserting them into card readers.
Smart ID cards are issued to all citizens by default. Expatriate residents can get smart cards at an additional fee of QR 100.
One significant advantage of the smart card was the e-gate facility at the Hamad International Airport. However, the e-gate facility is now accessible even for residents with regular cards.
How To Apply For Qatar ID Card
The Qatar ID card will be issued after a new resident completes the medical check-up and fingerprinting process. The sponsor has to approach an MOI service centre with the visa, passport, photo, and fee for issuing a QID card. Usually, the card will be printed on the same day.
For newborn babies, the sponsor (father or mother, as the case may be) can apply for Qatar ID by submitting the birth certificate, baby passport, photo, parents’ QIDs, etc.
Qatar ID Card Photo
The required photo size for the Qatar ID card is 35 x 45 mm. For expatriates, the photo should be with blue background.
Qatar ID Card Validity
The card will be renewed for a minimum of one year. It can be renewed for up to five years for some categories.
Renewing Qatar ID Card
The Qatar ID card will be reprinted each time a resident’s visa is renewed. Only the sponsor can renew the QID on dependents or workers. A worker cannot renew his own QID.
In the case of a work visa, this will be by the employer. Residence renewal applications for govt, public and private company sponsorships can be made electronically.
In the case of family residence visa dependents, this process has to be done by the husband (or wife if she is the sponsor). For family and personal sponsorship, applications can be made online or physically at MOI services centres.
When the residence permit renewal is done online through the Metrash2 app or MOI website, the card will be delivered to the applicant’s address by Q-Post.
Please note that the Qatar ID card must be reprinted each time the holder’s visa or passport is renewed, or there is a change in personal information. This can be done by the worker or dependent through the Metrash app and doesn’t require the sponsor’s permission.
Here is our detailed guide on how to renew Qatar ID
Travelling With Qatar ID Card
Since 2015, Qatar ID has replaced the visa sticker in passports. Qatar residents must present a Qatar ID card during check-in and immigration for international travel.
Please note that the card must be valid during the date of travel. A resident will not be allowed to enter Qatar using an expired Qatar ID.
What to do if Qatar ID is lost?
If your Qatar ID card is lost while inside Qatar, you can request a new card using the “Replace Damaged/Lost ID” option in Metrash. This option is available under “Residency” services. You will need to pay QR 200 for replacement and an additional QR 20 if Q-Post delivery is needed.
If your Qatar ID card is lost outside Qatar, your sponsor can apply for a return permit. Please see our detailed guide on what to do if QID is lost during travel.
How To Check Qatar ID Status Online?
You can check the status of your Qatar ID by using the “Official Documents” feature on the Ministry of Interior website.
READ NEXT: Did You Know What Your QID Number Means?
FAQ On Qatar ID Card
How can I get Qatar ID card?
The Qatar ID card will be issued when a new resident completes the medical check-up and fingerprinting process. The parent should apply for the QID card for babies born in Qatar.
How much does Qatar ID renewal cost?
The annual fee for QID renewal is QR 500 for family sponsorship and QR 1000 for employees sponsored by businesses. For employees under personal sponsorship, the renewal fee is QR 300.
Should I carry the Qatar ID at all times?
Qatar residents must carry their Qatar IDs and show them to Police, CID and other security personnel when required. You can also show the QID image on your Metrash app’s E-Wallet feature.
Related Articles:
- How To Renew Your Qatar ID
- How To Cancel Your Qatar ID and Residence Permit
- How To Update Passport Details in Qatar ID
- How To Check Qatar ID Status: Guide With Photos
- Qatar Driving License: Step By Step Procedure
- How To Apply for Qatar Family Residence Visa
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Hello Sir
if family stayed outside Qatar more than a year and rp expired then should I have to start with fresh application with all process to get rp? like medical and finger print. plz guide.
Hi DG,
Yesterday i applied for QID of my Wife in metrash and there was it was showing only 1 year as validity, so i applied by selecting 1 year 1. but i need to apply for 2 years validy can i do now as i have already paid the money.
2. Today i received message saying RP is rejected due to not clear photo and signature, can i visit now to MOI service and get is printed and can change the validity by paying for additinal 1 year fees QAR 500.
Hi NM, Yes, you can visit any MOI Service Center to submit the photo. You can request them for two years.
Hi team, my son’s QID printing is still pending when I check status. Still under process since 3 days now. I selected delivery option through Qpost. As we need it urgently can we go to MOI and get it printed by showing Metrash?
Hi Sanjeewa, If it is not sent to Q-Post yet, you can get it printed from MOI Service Center.
hi. can i come to qatar before 2 days of expire date of qid
ex- qid expiring on 13 dec 2023
can i come back to qatar 10th december 2023?
Hi Prasad, The official requirement is that QID should be valid (does not say minimum validity). So you should be able to enter. However you can double check this with Qatar Government Helpline at +974-44069999 or [email protected].
Dear Doha Guide,
Can we submit our QID in any private company on security bases except government officail?
If no then please give me Qatar Law reference.
Thanks & Regards,
Athar.
Hi Athar, Are you asking about submitting QID card to security personnel before entering a building?
yes
Hi Doha Guides,
You have been such a great help to our application. We followed your guide and it got our application approved. Thank you and more power to you and your team.
Recently, my wife had received an ok status for her fingerprinting and haven’t applied for a QID yet. She had a QID 10 years ago and was wondering if she will be issued the same QID number or a new one?
Thanks so much.
Hi Kumar, Thanks for your kind words. Happy that we could be helpful. Usually the QID number will be the same even when you come back after years. Even if the passport number has changed, the system should identify a previous resident through biometrics.
Hi team, you are doing great job . I’ve been following your website for 2/3years and I’ve get lots of important information from ur website. Alhamdulillah finally I’ve got my & my child’s ID cards.
But the issue is on our card the Holder’s signature is come on blank I mean it’s a black bold zoom area , not showing the signature.
What does it mean , pls kindly reply me.
Thanks a lot .
Hi Sweety, Thanks for your kind words. If your did not submit any signature during the QID application it will be blank or black. This is normal and nothing to worry as it is for baby.
Hello,
Please what is the current payment for QID as a first timer to Qatar on Expatriate Resident
Hi Vincent, It is QR 500 for family sponsorship and QR 1000 for company sponsorship (per year). There will be QR 100 extra for the card.
Where can i get QID printed for my wife? Already got medical and Fingerprint Ok message.
Which MOI service center?
Also can i know the timing too.
Hi Vishal, You can go to your nearest MOI Service Center (Mesaimeer, Wakra, Pearl etc.) Timings are usually from 6 am to 6 pm. Better to go in the afternoon as morning will be busy.
My wife is under my sponsorship and my wife wants to do some business so how can I get Smart ID Qatar
Hi Muhammad, There is a Smart Card Application Form on the MOI e-service portal (under Other Inquiries). However the form is in Arabic. If you are not Arabic speaker, please contact a typing center.
please how can I know my sponsor please because am stuck
Hi Nicholus, If you are on work visa, your sponsor name will be on your entry visa. If you can’t find him, the last option is to contact the police department.
how to attach a second passport to qid?
Hi Alex, If you mean dual citizenship, there is no option to have two passports linked with one QID.
No, Russians have two types of passports – 1) internal Russian and 2) for Traveling abroad. We use passport for Traveling abroad to enter the Qatar. But Russians are allowed to have SEVERAL passports for Traveling abroad (not only one), but only one passport for Travelling abroad is attached to the QID. How can we enter Qatar with a second for Traveling abroad passport if only first one for Traveling abroad passport is attached to the QID?
Hi Alex, Sorry, we are not aware of such a provision as QID is normally linked to one passport number. Kindly contact the Qatar Government Helpline at 109 or [email protected].
my wife’s QID has black sticker behind it, it appears her signature is missing, is this a problem ?
Hi P, This is alright.
Dear Team,
I have done my RP finger print under husband sponsorship but no update in husband metrash2.
Before I was in QID with different sponsorship (domestic worker ) and the QID auto cancelled due to more than 6 months out of country .
Will it be an issue to proceed for the finger print update ?
Please advise ????
Hi Monika, If your family visa is approved, your previous visa will not be an issue. Sometimes fingerprint takes few days to update in the system.
My QID is still valid and my new sponsor want to update the sponsor’s name on my qid how much will he pay for it?
Hi She, There is no option to update sponsor name on QID. Once you have completed sponsor change through the proper procedure (Ministry of Labour), your new sponsor should apply for a new QID.
Someone please help me.
I have been offered a job and I am on Hayya Visa and for which HR has mentioned that they will not be possible to hire me.
How can I get Qatar ID ?
How can I go about ?
Please please help me. I really appreciate your sincere heart.
Hi Zughake, You are not allowed to work on a Hayya Visa as it is for visitors. The legal process is that your employer has to apply for your work visa. Once the work visa is approved, you have to exit from Qatar and come back on the new work visa. Then only you will get Qatar ID.
hi I am here in Qatar with permeant visa but my id not yet printed , my visa will expire sep 30 , unfortunately I want to go my home country
1)can I go my country without id and came back???
2)is it possible to print id when I am outside Qatar??
my finger and medical all are completed
Hi Ashik, You cannot come back without a QID. So please discuss with your sponsor or PRO. Make sure they do it by visiting MOI Service Center. Since your medical and finger are already completed your QID can be printed very easily (usually the same day). If they apply online, QID will come by Q-Post, which may delay the process.
Please I have done medical and finger print more than 3 months ago and my sponsor is nowhere to be found and I also don’t want over stay to catch up with me, please what should I do to get my ID. Because I have now gotten a new job with an offer letter after which the company seek for electronic NOC, and I have reported the case to labour office on 24th of July up to date I only received first notice and the final notice has not come yet and my Visa will be expiring on 31Augus .please what should I do to avoid over stayed.
Hi Jacob, Try to find your sponsor ASAP. If not, please contact your country’s embassy in Qatar. Try not to overstay after 31 August as it may attract fines.
Hi
I had thumb print for my work QID since 4 days ago but haven’t gotten any feedback. Can you please inform me how long it takes before approval and how I can check current ID status
Hi Mustapha, Normally it will be updated in the system within 1-3 working days. Have you checked the visa status using passport number on MOI website?
Hi, I have been in Qatar since September 14, 2023. I received a negative opinion regarding my lung from the medical commission and they sent me for additional tests at the communicable disease center after which they gave me an appointment. you of 3 weeks which is October 29 in the meantime the sponsor tells me to go and submit the prints which I have already done on October 12, 2023. is it possible to have the id before the medical result of which the date is October 29.thank you
Hi Mahamat, You can’t get QID before medical is completed.
My doesn’t have holders signature
Hi Kagamba, This could be a clerical mistake. If you want you can visit any MOI Service Center and fix this.
My children ID expired on 20/08/2023 but we are traveling back 21/08/2023 their new iDs arrived in out apartment in Doha.
Can we travel with the picture of the new IDs ?
Hi Maria, It would depend on the airline staff at check-in. If you have already renewed and you have the photos it should be OK. They can also confirm the RP validity on the MOI website.
Hello, My children QID expires in one month. Can they still enter Qatar?
Hi Michael, Yes, they can enter even with one day remaining.
Hello si
My family arrived in Qatar a few days back. For my daughter,s QID (aging 4 years) are thumb impressions required on QID form as she is not able to sign on it ?
Hi Mustafa, For children’s QID, parents can simply write the child’s name.