Qatar ID Lost During Travel: What You Should Do (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 02 February 2024.

In June 2015, Qatar’s Ministry of Interior introduced new Residence Permit cards for expatriates, thereby abolishing the system of RP stickers in passports.

The Ministry said it had issued a circular to all concerned authorities worldwide and airlines that the ID card is the only supporting document for expatriates after cancelling the RP sticker on the passports.

The resident must show their Qatari ID card at all airports, platforms and airline desks to be allowed to travel to Qatar, where airline companies may check the validity and information in the cards through MOI’s website online.

In effect, the new Residence Permit cards (also called QID) are now acting as identity proof and a travel document for the expatriates.

With the new system, one problem many people face is losing their Residence Permit card while abroad.

Qatar ID Lost While Abroad: Two Solutions

A Qatar ID lost while abroad can be horrific for most people as they cannot return to Qatar without proof of Residence Permit. This article explains the possible solutions if you face such a situation.

Solution 1: Return Permit on arrival at Doha airport

According to a Facebook post by MoI, you can get a return permit (often referred to as a return visa or re-entry permit) at Doha airport without resorting to your employer. The conditions for this are:

  • Your Residence Permit should be valid at the time of entry
  • You shouldn’t have stayed out of Qatar for more than 6 months

In this case, you can get a Return Permit on arrival, and your Residence Card (Qatar ID) will be marked as lost in the immigration system. Later, your employer/sponsor can apply for the replacement of the Residence Card.

The problem with this approach

Even though this is a good solution by Qatar MoI, it does not address the requirements at the port of boarding. Airline or immigration authorities in your home country (or port of boarding) may not allow you to travel without a valid travel document.

Here is one alternative that has worked with some people:

If you have a photocopy of the Residence Permit card, you can file a report with the local Police (in your home country or wherever you lost it) saying that you have lost your Qatar Residence Permit card. The Police report along with a photocopy of the Residence Permit card may be enough to convince the airline/immigration authorities while boarding.

However, please note that this is only a possible alternative and may not be allowed in some airports. The best option will be to check with your airline in advance.

PLEASE NOTE: If the resident has exceeded six months’ stay outside the country, he will be required to get a Return Permit processed by his employer/sponsor to enter the country and the resident shall sign an undertaking not to repeat it (See Solution 2).

Qatar Residents ID Card Design

Solution 2: Return Permit processed by employer/sponsor

If you lose the Residence Card, the safest option will be to get a Return Permit processed by your employer or sponsor. Even though it is costly, it will guarantee you will not face any hassle during travel.

Return Permit is a temporary document with 14/30 days validity (the validity will be mentioned on the document). The sponsored person has to return to Qatar within the validity period. 

Return Permit can be issued even in cases where the person has stayed out for more than six months (provided that his Residence Permit is still valid).

Here is how your employer or sponsor can get the Return Permit:

For those on sponsorship of companies and establishments

This permit is granted to an expatriate on the sponsorship of an establishment whose residence permit is still valid.

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

On Metrash2, this option is available under: “Leave Notification” – “Return Permit”. Select Operation Type as “Lost ID within 6 months”. Pay the required fee (QR 200). You will receive the permit through email.

Below are the requirements to apply through MoI Service Center:

  • 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 are required.
  • Credit/Debit card for fee payment

For those on personal sponsorship of an expatriate

This permit is granted to family members of an expatriate resident whose residence permit is still valid.

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

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

Below are the requirements to apply through MoI Service Center:

  • 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 are required.
  • Credit/Debit card for fee payment

For those on personal sponsorship of a Qatari national

This permit is granted for housemaids and others on the personal sponsorship of a Qatari national.

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

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

Below are the requirements to apply through MoI Service Center:

  • 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.
  • Credit/Debit card for fee payment

Fee for Lost Qatar ID

  • If the person has stayed out for less than 6 months (and QID is lost), the fee will be QR 200.
  • If the person has stayed out for more than 6 months, the return permit fee is QR 500.

The permit should be sent to the resident abroad to allow him to enter the country. Once he arrives in Qatar, the resident must approach the Expatriates Affairs Department to complete the formalities for issuing a new ID.

NOTE:  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.


FAQ on Qatar ID Lost During Travel


What is a Return Permit in Qatar?

Return Permit is a temporary document granted for those who have stayed out of the country more than 6 months and his/her residency is still valid.

What are the conditions to get Return Permit on arrival?

The conditions are that (a) your Residence Permit should be valid at the time of entry and
(b) you shouldn’t have stayed out of Qatar for more than 6 months.

What can I do if my Qatar ID is lost during travel?

If your Qatar ID is lost during travel, you can get a Return Permit processed by your employer or sponsor.

How much does Qatar Return Permit cost?

Qatar Return Permit fee varies from QR200 to QR500 depending on sponsorship type.


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      1. Good Morning Sir
        I am Anil kumar from India. Sir, I need your help please guide me because I lost my QID in India.
        I have already made my police FIR with attest Ministery of India as well as Embassy of Qatar in india.They stamped on it. So,on the behalf of this document is it possible to enter in Qatar .
        Thanks

        1. Doha Guides Team

          Hi Anil, Sometimes the airline staff will not allow with this. Best option is to request your sponsor to apply for a return permit through Metrash app (under “Leave Notification – Return Permit”). The permit will be immediately issued upon payment of a fee.

  1. Hi,
    My wife and son have lost their QID abroad. Therefore, could anyone please guide me on what would be the best option to bring them back to Qatar?

      1. Hi,
        Dear Team,
        I have a query regarding applying for the returned permit and that is as follows.
        Step 1, Leave notification
        Step 2, Return Permit
        Step 3, Enter QID – then Operation type – There are options like – Return permit – ID lost within 6 months, etc. Since their ID has been lost within 6 months. So could you please guide me on which option I would have to choose?
        Besides, I would like to draw your attention to the fee for a return permit is QAR 500 whereas the ID lost within 6 months fee is 200 QAR.
        Thanks in advance for your valuable guidance!!
        Regards
        Sameer

  2. Hi i lost my id and i need to travel in the Philippines thig 19th of January and i will not come back what should i do now???

  3. Hi, stayed outside qatar more then 6 months, got the return permit no problem, but again i lost my QID before coming back to qatar! What to do?
    Thank you.

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Nour, Your sponsor has to check directly with MOI. Most probably your old return permit would be enough, but better to make sure.

  4. VINEESH DEVADAS

    Hello my name is Vineesh , came to India from the Qatar last month 15 th and I lost my Qatar I’d card a few days ago , I have to go back on the 15 th of April . I don’t know what to do if anyone knows please contact me at my contact number given below. +91 7904428773.

  5. As an individual if we press return visit visa it’s showing message as “NO RECORDS FOUND”,,CAN you clarify this will help someone who lost id

  6. I had lost my daughters ID during vacation. it was only noticed at departure.
    Airlines did not allow to travel to Doha to get a return visit visa on arrival. So below simple process I did (the sponsor should have Metrash2 in his mobile)(For family father/spouse will be the sponsor)

    1. Login to Metrash2
    2.click visa then visa operation then return visit visa.
    4.enter the details, pay QR 200 through Card.
    3.A return visit visa will be send to your (sponsor) email address.

    Please note that MOI email usually comes in junk mail/spam mail folder

    Once you arrive you can apply for lost ID in immigration if you need ID.

  7. I missed. My Qatar id in India validity 4/10/2017. Labour working what can i
    do, to returned. Doha
    9786553861

  8. pls.nricafe.com can you please advice me,.my vacation is on april 4,2017 but still my id is not yet done.,thanks

  9. hello,.pls.can someone know if i can leave and comeback to qatar if my qatar i.d still on process?my qatar id is still on procees due to change surname because of marriage.in my passport im using my husband surname but on my qatar id still on process in immigration,.pls.can someone advice me,..thanks for your help

  10. Hi my name is John I lost my passport while on my vacation and I got a new passport with police certificate and I have a valid Qatar ID , my company did all the could but my application was rejected. Now I lost my house property education certificate and contract how do I make Clem from the Government .
    Thanks

  11. I have car accident with 2 fatalities, there was already a judgement in the court but the judgement is still under appeal in the higher court. When I renew my QID which will expire on December 2016, the system is not accepting it because of the case. What will I do

  12. Akram Maarouf

    Anyone knows how much are the fees for returning to Qatar without having the new ID with RP validity? I traveled and forgot my QID at home, the airlines allowed me to travel back to Qatar but they said there will be penalty fees but they don’t know how much, anyone knows?

    1. Hi Akram, Someone who had same experience, told us it is QR120 for return visa at airport. Please confirm after you reach. Thanks.

  13. Baby passport and Qatar ID I already got. so in this case either I have to take any NOC from my embassy to show to HMC birth certificate section?

    1. Hi Suneel, As far as we know, there is no need for any NOC. You can change the Qatar ID and passport later.

  14. my baby born here in Qatar few months back. I want to specify second name on birth certificate so can you please guide me about procedure in qatar. I am from pakistan

    1. Hi Suneel, You can go to Birth Certificates section in HMC with the documents (parents passports + baby birth certificate) and they can issue new one for you.