How Many Days To Process A Working Visa In Qatar

One of the most common questions asked from expats across the world is how many days does it normally take for a company to process a working visa in Qatar.Visa Processing Time: Understanding VISA processing times is a critical part of work visa applications. USCIS will decide within 15 calendar days whether they approve or deny your application. Actual Visa Processing time is therefore between 7 and 15 days from the date it is received. For example, if you submit your visa application in the morning of March 5th, it will definitely be complete by the afternoon of March 18th at the earliest. If you apply for a B1/B2 visa on April 2, it will definitely be completed before April 18.

How Many Days To Process A Working Visa In Qatar

A Qatari national, wishing to apply for a Qatari skilled worker/expatriate worker visa, excluding the GCC, must first obtain a “testimonial of sponsorship” (TOS) letter before they can be processed by the Ministry of Interior. This article outlines all of the processing times, requirements and fees associated with this process. You will also find links to official Ministry of Interior websites at the bottom of this page so you can follow up with employees at those respective departments in person yourself.

Residence and Work Permits

The issue of residence and work permits in the State of Qatar has become easy and simple following the recent amendements introduced by the Government on the Labor Law, which has been marked by having flexibility in protecting all rights of the two working parties. Therefore, you can bring your family, to live with you in Qatar. Meanwhile, your wife can work in Qatar, by registering in Recruitment Department at the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs.

The Residency Permit – the basics

All newcomers wishing to work and live in Qatar require a Work Residence Permit (commonly referred to as an RP) for which they will need a Qatari employer​ (company or individual).

It is typically the responsibility of the employer to handle all paperwork required to obtain the Residence Permit on behalf of the expatriate. When a expatriates first enters Qatar, their employer will arrange for a temporary visa which is then converted to a Work Residency Permit – a process that typically takes 2-4 weeks and sometimes longer. Applicants may not leave the country during the period of visa-to-permit conversion.

The Residency Permit

Once an expatriate receives the Work Residence Permit, he or she can then access many other services, apply for further permits and licenses, sign a rental accommodation agreement, apply for a loan, and the list goes on.

Another key benefit of the Residence Permit is that it allows the worker to personally sponsor their immediate family members (spouse, sons, daughters) to join them and live in Qatar (see Family Residence Visa below).

Work Residence Permits are renewed annually by the expatriate’s employer.

Family Residence Visa – permission for your family to stay

Expatriates can sponsor their immediate family members. Every family member, including infants, must have an individual Family Residence Visa. The Visa can be purchased for a period of 1-5 years and is stamped in each family member’s passport.

Applicants are required to submit a number of documents, including authenticated marriage and birth certificates, no-objection letter and salary certificate from their employer.

Registering as a Working Woman

A woman who is in Qatar on a family sponsorship and who has approval from her husband may register to work without obtaining a separate work permit. Applicants may visit the Labor Department to complete the application process.

Work permits in Qatar

After you find a job in Qatar, anyone wishing to work in the country must first obtain a Work Residence Permit (sometimes known as an RP). Your Qatari employer will handle the application on your behalf.

Your employer should arrange a temporary visa, which allows you to enter Qatar while you wait for your Work Residence Permit. This process can take up to four weeks.

Once you receive the Work Residence Permit, you can begin to start your life in Qatar. At this point, you may find a place to live in Qatar and access government services.

The Ministry of Interior issues work residence permits. Your employer must renew your permit each year.

What does a Qatar work permit look like?

Your Work Residence Permit will contain a host of information about your residency status in Qatar. It will include your name, nationality, and passport number, as well as specific details such as the type and duration of the permit, the expiry date, your profession, and the name of your sponsor.

Types of work permit in Qatar

In addition to the Work Residence Permit, the following types of visa are available for expats traveling to Qatar:

Family Residence Visa

Once you’ve got your residence permit, you can sponsor your immediate family members to live in Qatar with you.

Each family member will need to have an individual Family Residence Visa. As part of the process, you must submit documents including marriage and birth certificates and proof of your employment. You can either apply at the Foreign Ministry or online through the Qatari government’s portal.

You can purchase Family Residence Visas for anything from one to five years. The fee is currently QAR 200.

Qatar business visa

Qatar business visas are for employees working in Qatar for a short period of time. Only government-approved companies may sponsor under this visa.

Business visas are valid for two weeks, but this can be extended to four weeks. If you want to work beyond this time, you will need a work visa. A business visa currently costs QAR 200.

Qatar work visa

Qatar’s work visas are arranged by your employer. They are valid for between one and three months. These are most common with employees intending to work for a business in Qatar for a set amount of time.

To get a visa, you will need to have an employment contract in place, which has been approved by the Ministry of Labor. You need to exclusively work for the company during the period in question and leave the country once the job has been completed.

As with a full Work Residence Visa, you must undergo medical tests and fingerprinting. The cost of this visa is currently QAR 200.

GCC resident visa

Residents of countries in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) who work in an approved profession can gain a one-month visa through a Qatari embassy.

This can be renewed for a further three months. To get a GCC visa, you will need to be a national of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, or Oman.

Tourist visa

Visa waivers are available to visitors from many countries, allowing visa-free holidays to Qatar. If your country isn’t on the list, you will need to get a tourist visa. Tourist visas are for people visiting Qatar for leisure and are initially valid for two weeks (this can be extended to three weeks).

To get a tourist visa, you will need to pay a fee of QAR 100 and provide proof of a hotel reservation in Qatar or evidence of a relative residing in the state. You will also need to provide a copy of your passport.

Longer tourist visas of up to three months can be available, but you must apply at a Qatari embassy in advance.

Exit visa

Qatari employment law is very much in favor of the employer rather than the employee. This is borne out by the fact you will need to obtain an exit visa if you want to leave Qatar. Before leaving the country, you will need the consent of your employer to terminate your work contract. An exit permit costs QAR 10.

Permits for working women in Qatar

A woman living in Qatar with a Family Residence Visa must gain approval from her husband to register to work. This can usually be done without needing to apply for a separate work permit.

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