Qatar Work Visa and Permit to Get Job Under Labor Laws 2025
Do you dream of working in Qatar? The complete Qatar work visa process is no joke. This guide is all you need, addressing every little detail and providing various insights to help you understand and easily get your Qatar work visa. From requirements to application tips, find all you need to kickstart your career in Qatar here.
Understanding the Qatar work visa
A work visa allows foreign citizens to work in Qatar. To begin the process,
- Acquire an offer of employment from a Qatari employer.
- Send the required documents (passport, medical certificate, employment contract).
- The employer files for work visa sponsorship.
- You will receive approval from the Ministry of Interior, Qatar.
In this process, you will have your visa application through your employer, who will sponsor you during this process.
Expatriate Workforce in Qatar
Qatar’s labor force is mainly expatriates. Only 15 percent of the 3 million people in the country are Qatari nationals. Qatar uses staff from more than 94 countries, with huge percentages in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Egypt. Qatar has around 40,000 U.S. expatriates and also 22,000 expatriates from the UK. Hundreds of laborers produce chemicals, gas, and oil, supporting Qatar’s economy.
Types of Qatar Work Visas Available for Foreigners
Qatar offers several work visa types based on employment needs. The most common are the following:
- Mawani (Employment Visa): It is provided for foreign workers hired by Qatari employers. The process involves submitting a work visa, passing a medical test, and stamping. The validity is usually between one and three years, depending on the employment contract.
- Freelancer Visa: This is for independent professionals wishing to work in Qatar but not with a conventional employer. It is for individuals who create specialized services on a contract basis. It is usually valid for one year.
- Business Visa: People entering Qatar use this visa to engage in business activities. A person cannot work under short-term visas that have a validity of less than three months.
- Family Visa: This visa allows workers to bring their immediate family members along after gaining employment in Qatar. The person working in Qatar must sponsor these visas. Validity: It is aligned with the sponsor’s work visa and renewable.
- Tourist visa: A type of visa that is offered by the Qatari government to tourists. A tourist with this visa can visit Qatar for a short stay. If you have a tourist visa or any person with a visa can visit Qatar, but this visa does not allow you to work in Qatar.
- GCC resident visa: GCC resident visa is a type of visa that is only for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including the United Arab Emirates, who wish or want to visit Qatar.
To get more understanding about multiple visas, you can check the Interior Ministry of Qatar or Hayya Platform.
How much does a work visa & work permit cost in Qatar?
The visa cost is very high, and employers typically bear the burden. They are charged QR 200 for the first employment visa and QR 500 to convert the work permit into a residence permit. This system helps relieve the financial load on workers while keeping the visa procedures on track.
Requirements of the Qatar work visa
The following are the requirements and eligibility criteria to get the visa:
- Must have a valid passport.
- Hold an approved employment contract from a Qatari employer.
- Meet health insurance requirements.
- Complete a medical examination.
- Have a clean criminal record.
Documents Required for a Work Visa In Qatar
The documents required to get the work visa for Qatar are explained in detail:
- Valid passport with 6 months’ validity: The first step is, you have a valid passport to apply for the visa. The other thing is that the passport must have a validity of 6 months.
- Employee sponsorship: The other step to get a Qatar visa is, you must have documents of your employment. In simple words, you should have proof of your employment in Qatar. Without the company name and their sponsorship, you will not be able to get the work visa.
- Latest photo: The other factor to apply for the work visa is, you have passport-size photos with a white background, and the quality of the picture should be clear and in high resolution.
- Medical certificate or requirements: A Qatar medical visa is necessary and mandatory for the permanent visa of Qatar. You will not be able to get the visa if you suffering from diseases like Hepatitis B and other diseases that are not good signs for health.
- Resident permit: A resident permit is proof that you are living in Qatar. It is mandatory to apply for a resident permit within 7 days after entering Qatar. Your company will provide the residency proof. After getting the resident permit, you can work in Qatar.
- Fingerprinting: The final approval of your visa is done with your fingerprints. Fingerprinting is done at designated offices of the Interior Ministry of Qatar.
- Qatar ID: You will get the Qatar ID after the approval of your visa. This is solid proof that you live in Qatar.
- Age limit: If you are applying for a job or a work visa in the government sector, then your maximum age is up to 60, and the minimum age limit is 16. If you are a job in the private sector, then the age limit factor will not bother you. You can apply for this job visa at any age without any limitations.
How to Apply for a Qatar Work Visa Online?
Applying for the work visa may be difficult and complicated. The following are the requirements that should be completed by the employers:
- Company Registration: The employer registers with the immigration department, submitting documents like commercial registration and necessary application forms.
- Labor Ministry Approval: The Ministry of Labour approves the applicant and allows the number of work permits the employer requires.
- Application for Visa: The employer submits all the documentation required to file for a work visa. The documents include the employee’s passport and employment contract.
- Visa Approval: After approval, employers will forward the visa to the employees, who will then be allowed to enter Qatar.
The following are the requirements that should be completed by the employees:
- Find a Job: You must find a job with a Qatari employer willing to sponsor your application for a work visa.
- Documentation: Documents of the employee, a passport, a contract, and photographs are sent for processing to the employer
- The Visa Issuance: Once the employer gives you the go-ahead, you will receive a visa to travel.
- Enter Qatar: On landing, you will undergo medical exams and biometric scans, and your work permit will be issued.
You can visit the Qatar Embassy for consular services regarding any issue in the application process.
Application form PDF for Work Visa of Qatar
How to check Qatar work visa status?
You can check your visa application status by following these simple steps:
- Visit the official Ministry of Interior website
- Go to the Visa Service section
- Select Visa Inquiry and Printing
- Enter your passport and visa number
- Put your ID and verification code
- Click the Submit button to view the status of your application
When the work visa is issued, you can also check the validity of the work visa, and you can also renew the work visa.
Reasons for a Qatar work visa rejection
To smooth your visa process, the following factors you should keep in mind to avoid visa rejection:
- Incomplete information in the visa application
- Crime history
- Spelling mistakes in passport number, name, and in important documents
- Expiry of passport is less than 6 months
- Suffering from fetal diseases
- Incomplete supporting documents
Employer’s Role in the Work Visa Process
- Company Registration: The employer registers with the immigration department, submitting documents like commercial registration and necessary application forms.
- Labor Ministry Approval: The Ministry of Labour approves the applicant and allows the number of work permits the employer requires.
- Application for Visa: The employer submits all the documentation required to file for a work visa. The documents include the employee’s passport and employment contract.
- Visa Approval: After approval, employers will forward the visa to the employees, who will then be allowed to enter Qatar.
Employee’s Role In The Work Visa Process
- Find a Job: You must find a job with a Qatari employer willing to sponsor your application for a work visa.
- Documentation: Documents of the employee, a passport, a contract, and photographs are sent for processing to the employer
- The Visa Issuance: Once the employer gives you the go-ahead, you will receive a visa to travel.
- Enter Qatar: On landing, you will undergo medical exams and biometric scans, and your work permit will be issued.
You can visit the Qatar Embassy for consular services regarding any issue in the application process.
How to get a Qatar work permit?
The employer will apply on behalf of the employee, and this process involves examining the incoming employee medically while submitting all documents, for example, the passport, visa, job letter, passport photographs, and a laboratory test fee. Sometimes, it takes 2-4 weeks to fully complete. After the employer certifies him as medically fit, he can obtain a work and residence permit for 1 to 3 years.
Documents Required for Qatar Work Permit
For a Qatar work permit, you need the following documents:
- Visa application form: It must be completely filled out and signed.
- Passport: It must be valid for at least six months.
- Employment contract: A contract provided by your Qatar employer.
- Educational diplomas: They will be attested for authority.
- Medical reports: Medical tests will be from an authorized government clinic.
- Passport-sized photographs: They must be the latest in the required size.
- Attestation: All documents must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Qatar embassy.
Make sure your documents are verified before submission. For further information, visit Qatar Visa Status Check!
How to Renew a Qatar Work Visa and Permit?
To renew a work visa and permit in Qatar, your employer must submit the necessary documents to the Ministry of Labour or the Residence Services portal three months before the previous visa expires. This includes a copy of your employment contract and medical clearance. The process typically takes a few weeks, and employers usually cover the associated fees. You can also convert your tourist visa to a work visa if you find any employment while visiting.
Documents Required for the Renewal of the Qatar Work Permit
The documents that are needed to renew the Qatar work permit are given below:
- Copy of a valid passport
- New employment form
- Passport-size photo
- In some cases, a medical fitness certificate
Processing Time and Extension or Renewal Fee for Work Visa in Qatar
The work visa of Qatar costs or fee is about 200 QR. The processing time and renewal fee structure for the types of visas are given below:
| Visa Type | Processing Time | Freelance Visa |
| Employment Visa | 2 to 4 weeks | QAR 1,000 |
| Freelancer Visa | 2 to 4 weeks | QAR 1,000 |
| Business Visa | 1 to 2 weeks | QAR 1,000 |
| Family Visa | 2 to 4 weeks | QAR 500 |
| Work Permit | Up to 6 weeks | QAR 1,000 |
| Residence Permit | Up to 6 weeks | QAR 500 |
How to Obtain Residency Permits in Qatar?
Before your residence permit, you must first obtain a Qatar employment visa and work permit. When you get to Qatar, you will have a medical check and a biometric check. The last part is applying for a residence permit. It usually takes six weeks of processing time.
Documentation forms usually required by your employer before proceeding with the entire processing are an employment contract, a copy of your passport, and a medical certificate. If approval follows, you will receive the residence permit to do and carry out your work there in Qatar until the expiry of your employment.
Benefits of a Qatar work visa
Qatar gives many benefits to its workers, which are explained below:
- Rapidly growing economy
- Getting a job is easy
- Political stability and a peaceful environment
- Multicultural work environment
- Supportive work-related rules
Average Working Hours in Qatar
The normal working week in Qatar is 48 hours (usually over 6 days), with a daily maximum of 10 hours worked. Fridays are typically non-working days for employees. Ramadan’s working hours are 36 hours a week.
Minimum wage in Qatar
In 2020, a non-discriminatory minimum wage of QAR 1,000 is introduced by the government in Qatar for all workers, and employers have to incur it if accommodation of QAR 300 and a food allowance of QAR 300 are not provided.
Qatar Work Visa for Women
Men and women can apply for a work permit in Qatar in the same manner, but there are a few specific exceptions. Married visa holders or spouses on family residency permits must be permitted by their husbands to apply for a work visa. This requirement is not for men, who are free to apply on their own. Much of the application and fee processes are handled by employers, but it allows women to seek employment in Qatar while working within the country’s legal framework.
Does a GCC Citizen also Require a Qatar Work Visa or Permit?
To change or renew a work permit in Qatar, your employer must submit the necessary documents to the Ministry of Labour or the Residence Services portal three months before the previous visa expires. This includes a copy of your employment contract and medical clearance. The process typically takes a few weeks, and employers usually cover the associated fees.
FAQs
Conclusion
Foreigners can work in Qatar only with a Qatar Work Visa. However, the visa is obtained after a valid contract of employment, medical checks, and government approval. Normally, the employer pays for the process, which might take weeks. The skilled worker QATAR visa has allowed workers to live and work in Qatar’s recently growing economy since it was approved.
