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Qatar work visa
  • By Travis Kliever
  • Updated October 20, 2023
Travis Kliever
Travis Kliever
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Travis is a global business development advisor. He has spent the last 14 years supporting business establishment and development in North America, Southeast Asia, and throughout the world. With multiple degrees from the University of Oregon, Travis currently splits his time between the US, and Bali, Indonesia. At RemotePad, Travis writes about remote work, hiring internationally and PEO/EOR business models.
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How to Get a Qatar Work Visa & Work Permit: Requirements & Procedure

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Key Takeaways

  • Nearly all foreign workers will need a work visa to work in Qatar.  
  • The most popular form of work visa in Qatar is the Qatar Work Residence Permit (RP).
  • It is important for all companies seeking to sponsor a visa for employees in Qatar to follow the rules and regulations, including the requirement that visa be sponsored by a Qatari entity. 

Qatar is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and is, in fact, the world’s most economically prosperous country, on a per capita basis. A major petroleum and natural gas exporter, with significant finance, travel and tourism industries, it is no wonder that Qatar is a highly-desired location for global business expansion, and for expats in need of a work visa. 

In this article, we list the requirements for Qatar work visas, and explain the process for attaining the most popular form of Qatar work visa — the Qatar Work Residence Permit (sometimes known as the ‘RP’ for short). 

Qatar has several types of work visas that are available for foreign nationals who wish to work in the country. These include:

  • Business Visa — this is issued to individuals who wish to conduct business or participate in commercial activities in Qatar. This visa allows the holder to stay in Qatar for up to 30 days and may be renewed for an additional 30 days. There is also an even shorter-term ’72-hour visa’ for very short trips. 

  • Work Residence Visa (also known as the Work Residence Permit or ‘RP’) —  this is issued to foreign nationals who have been offered a job in Qatar. It allows the holder to live and work in Qatar for a period of up to five years, and is renewable. It is sponsored by the employer, who must be based in Qatar. Usually, employees arrive in Qatar on a temporary visa before converting to this visa. Those with valid Work Residence Permits can sponsor family members via a Family Residence Via. 

  • Family Residence Visa — a special provision in Qatari law allows the female spouses of male employees with Work Residence Permits to register for work without obtaining their own work permit. 

  • Gulf Cooperation Council (GCS) Visitor Visa — these allow 
    GCC citizens of approved professions and to obtain a one-month visa on arrival or through a Qatari embassy. GCC citizens are nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, or the United Arab Emirates. The visa is renewable for a further three months, and holders must always carry appropriate documentation with them.

How to apply for a Work Visa (Work Residence Permit) in Qatar

Obtaining a Work Residence Permit  in Qatar usually involves the following steps:

  • Acquire a job offer. Applicants must secure a job offer from a Qatari employer. The employer is responsible for sponsoring the RP application, and must provide certain documentation, such as proof of the job offer and proof that the position cannot be filled by a Qatari national.
  • Fill out the Work Residence Permit Application. The employer will then submit an application to the Qatar Government for the Qatar work visa. The application must include the required information and supporting documentation for both the employer and the employee.
  • Receive a medical examination. The employee will need to undergo a medical examination and provide a health certificate from a government-approved medical center in Qatar.
  • Fingerprints.  The employee will also need to provide fingerprints to the authorities.
  • Work visa approval. Once the application has been processed, the authorities will issue an approval, which the employer must sign.

Qatar work visa — how to apply online 

Get approval for your Qatar work visa — the right way

As a prosperous Gulf State, strategically located halfway between Europe and East Asia, with excellent travel connections, Qatar is a major commercial hub. 

If you are seeking to hire employees in Qatar, or you are an individual seeking a work visa in Qatar, it is essential to follow the rules set by the Qatar authorities. 

Many companies have benefited from using a global relocation company to assist with the Qatar visa process. Read our list of top relocation providers to find out more.  

FAQs

A Qatar work visa takes 2-4 weeks to be approved. On occasions, the process will take longer (e.g., where demand is high or the authorities need further documentation). 

Yes. Where a female spouse of a work Residence Permit-holder holds a Family Residence Visa, that spouse can work after registering with the Ministry of Labor. No further work permit is required. 

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