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.

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.

Overview of Work Visas In Qatar

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.

Types of Qatar Work Visas

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.

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.

Eligibility Requirements for the Work Visa In Qatar 

• 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

• Filled and signed the visa application form.
• Copy of valid passport.
• Educational certificates and degrees.
• An employment contract or job offer.
• Attested documents through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Qatari embassy.
• Medical test results.
• Passport-size photo

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.

What Is The Process For Getting 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 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 biometric. 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 expiry at your employment.

Qatar Work Permit 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.

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.

How can Work permits in Qatar be changed or renewed? 

To change or renew a work permit in Qatar, your employer must submit the necessary documents to the Ministry of Labour or 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.

Processing Time and Renewal Fee of Work Visa

Does a GCC Citizen also require a Qatar Work Visa or Permit?

Nationals of the GCC can work in Qatar without a work visa or permit. They will qualify for a residence visa issued by the (GCC). This will provide them with the right to live and work in Qatar. Persons from non-GCC states need to secure a work permit to work in Qatar. Residents of the UAE and Saudi Arabia can check the Qatar visa for UAE citizens or the Qatar visa for Saudi nationals for detailed application processes.

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.