Qatar Visa Types: Complete Guide for Expats 2026
Moving to Qatar or planning to visit? Understanding which visa you need is your first critical step. Qatar offers multiple visa types depending on your purpose – work, family, business, tourism, or investment and getting the wrong one can delay your plans by months.
The short answer: Most expats in Qatar hold either a work visa (employment visa), family visa (sponsored by a spouse or parent), or business visa. Tourists can enter visa-free or get a visa on arrival depending on their nationality. But the details matter, because each visa type has different requirements, costs, timelines, and rights.
I’m writing this because visa information online is fragmented and often outdated. Government websites list the types but don’t explain which one applies to your situation. This guide breaks down every Qatar visa type, who qualifies, the application process, costs, and what rights each visa gives you.
The Six Main Qatar Visa Types
Qatar’s visa system is simpler than UAE’s but more structured than Saudi Arabia’s. Here are the six main categories:
1. Work Visa (Employment Visa)
Who needs this: Anyone coming to Qatar for employment
Sponsored by: Your employer
Requirements:
- Job offer from Qatar-based company
- Company must have your position approved by Ministry of Labor
- Educational certificates (attested/authenticated)
- Medical fitness test (after arrival)
- Police clearance certificate from home country
- Passport valid for 6+ months
Process:
- Employer applies for work permit at Ministry of Labor
- Once approved, employer applies for entry permit at Ministry of Interior
- You receive entry permit (visa) via email
- You enter Qatar on this permit (usually valid 30-90 days for entry)
- Within 30 days of arrival, complete medical test and fingerprinting
- Qatar ID (QID) is issued – this is your residence permit card
- Your work visa is now active, linked to your QID
Timeline:
- Work permit approval: 1-4 weeks
- Entry permit: 1 week after work permit
- QID after arrival: 2-4 weeks
- Total: 2-3 months from job offer to QID in hand
Cost:
- Usually covered by employer (QR 200-500 for processing)
- Medical test: QR 100-200 (some employers cover this)
Validity: Tied to your employment contract, typically 1-5 years
Rights with work visa:
- Legal right to work for sponsoring employer
- Can rent property
- Can apply for Qatar driving license
- Can sponsor family members (if salary meets threshold)
- Can open bank account
Changing employers: As of 2021, you can change employers without your current employer’s permission if you’ve completed your contract or worked 5+ years. Before that, you need No Objection Certificate (NOC). See our guide on how to change sponsors in Qatar.
Most common visa for expats: About 75% of Qatar’s expat population is on work visas.
2. Family Visa (Dependent Visa)
Who needs this: Spouses, children, and sometimes parents of Qatar residents
Sponsored by: Your family member who holds a work visa in Qatar
Who can sponsor:
- Men: Can sponsor wife and children
- Women: Can sponsor husband and children (if salary meets threshold)
- Both: Can sponsor parents if certain conditions met
Salary requirements to sponsor family (2026):
- Sponsoring spouse + children: Minimum QR 10,000/month basic salary
- Sponsoring parents: Minimum QR 15,000/month + company permission
- Some professions exempt from salary requirement (doctors, engineers, professors)
This salary threshold is critical. Many people accept job offers without realizing their salary won’t allow them to bring family. Always check this BEFORE accepting an offer. See our detailed family visa requirements and salary guide for specifics.
Requirements:
- Sponsor’s attested employment contract
- Marriage certificate (attested) for spouse
- Birth certificates (attested) for children
- Passport copies
- Photos
- Sponsor’s salary certificate from employer
- Tenancy contract showing suitable accommodation
Attestation process: Your marriage and birth certificates must be:
- Issued by your home country
- Attested by your country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Attested by Qatar Embassy in your country
- Attested by Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs after arrival
This attestation chain takes 4-8 weeks. Start it immediately. Some countries have streamlined processes through their embassies.
Process:
- Sponsor requests family visa application from their employer’s PRO
- Submit attested documents
- Employer applies at Ministry of Interior
- Entry permits issued for family members
- Family enters Qatar
- Within 30 days: medical tests and fingerprinting
- Family members receive their own QIDs
Timeline:
- Document attestation: 4-8 weeks
- Visa processing: 2-4 weeks
- QID after arrival: 2-4 weeks
- Total: 3-4 months from starting process
Cost:
- Entry permit: QR 200 per person
- Medical tests: QR 100-200 per person
- QID processing: QR 200 per person
- Total per family member: QR 500-600
- Most employers cover sponsor’s costs, not family costs
Validity: Tied to sponsor’s visa validity
Rights with family visa:
- Can live in Qatar
- Children can attend school
- Can get Qatar driving license
- Cannot work (unless they get their own work visa)
- Can rent property (with sponsor’s support)
- Can open bank account
Working on family visa: If you’re on a family visa but want to work, your employer must apply to “transfer” your visa from family to work sponsorship. This process takes 2-4 weeks and requires your current sponsor’s NOC. Many spouses do this after arriving on family visa.
Common scenario: British husband gets work visa with QR 18,000 salary. He sponsors Indian wife and two children on family visa. Wife wants to work – she finds job, employer transfers her from husband’s sponsorship to company sponsorship, she now has work visa under new employer while husband and children remain on husband’s work visa. Each person maintains their own QID but with different sponsor types.
3. Business Visa (Investor/Entrepreneur Visa)
Who needs this: Business owners, investors, entrepreneurs starting companies in Qatar
Two types:
Type A: Company Owner/Partner Visa
- You own/co-own a business registered in Qatar
- Company sponsors you
- You can work for your own company
Type B: Investor Visa
- You invest in Qatar (real estate, businesses, etc.)
- Don’t actively work
- Passive income visa
Requirements for Company Owner visa:
- Company registered with Ministry of Commerce
- Business license
- Minimum capital deposited (varies by business type: QR 200,000-500,000)
- Office lease contract
- Bank statements
- Business plan
Requirements for Investor visa:
- Proof of investment in Qatar (property ownership, business shares)
- Minimum investment: QR 1,000,000+ (varies)
- Bank statements showing financial capability
Process:
- Register company with Ministry of Commerce
- Get business license
- Apply for business visa through company
- Similar medical/fingerprint process as work visa
- Receive QID
Timeline: 2-4 months (company setup takes longest)
Cost:
- Company registration: QR 5,000-15,000
- Business license: QR 2,000-10,000 (depends on type)
- Visa processing: QR 500-1,000
- Total startup: QR 10,000-30,000+
Validity: 1-5 years, renewable
Rights:
- Can work for your own company
- Can sponsor employees
- Can sponsor family (if business income meets QR 10,000/month)
- Full residency rights same as work visa
- Can own 100% of business in certain free zones
Who should get this: Entrepreneurs, consultants, freelancers who want to base themselves in Qatar. Note that freelancing isn’t officially recognized, so most freelancers set up consulting companies.
For complete details on starting a business and getting this visa, see our guide: Starting a Business in Qatar.
4. Visit Visa (Tourist Visa)
Who needs this: Tourists, short business trips, family visits
Three categories:
Category A: Visa-Free Entry
- 88 nationalities can enter Qatar without pre-arranged visa
- Get visa stamp on arrival
- Free
- Valid: 30 or 90 days depending on nationality
- Eligible countries include: US, UK, Canada, Australia, EU, many Asian countries
Category B: Visa on Arrival
- Some nationalities can get visa at airport counter
- Pay fee on arrival
- Cost: QR 100-300
- Valid: 30 days
Category C: Pre-Arranged Tourist Visa (e-Visa)
- Nationalities not eligible for above must apply online before travel
- Apply at: https://portal.moi.gov.qa/wps/portal/eservices
- Processing: 3-5 days
- Cost: QR 100-300
- Valid: 30 days
Tourist visa rights:
- Cannot work
- Can drive with foreign license + International Driving Permit (7 days maximum)
- Can rent cars
- Cannot open bank account
- Cannot sponsor anyone
- Cannot convert to work visa (must exit and re-enter)
Extension: Tourist visas can be extended once for 30 days (QR 100 fee) at immigration office
Common use case: Family visiting you while you work in Qatar. They enter on tourist visa, stay 30-60 days, then exit. OR: You’re job hunting – enter on tourist visa, interview, get offer, exit Qatar, employer processes work visa, you re-enter on work visa.
For complete visa information for tourists, see our Complete Guide to Visiting Qatar.
5. Transit Visa
Who needs this: Qatar Airways passengers with layovers 5+ hours who want to leave airport
Details:
- Free for Qatar Airways passengers
- Valid: 96 hours (4 days)
- Apply at airport transit desk or online before travel
- Can leave airport, tour Doha
- Same restrictions as tourist visa (no work, etc.)
Who uses this: Business travelers with long layovers, tourists doing “stopover tourism”
Qatar Airways actively promotes this with hotel packages for stopover passengers. It’s one of the better transit visa programs globally.
6. Qatar Golden Visa (Permanent Residency)
Who needs this: High-value investors, exceptional talents, long-term residents who want permanent residency
This is Qatar’s newest visa type (launched 2021, expanded 2024).
Who qualifies:
- Property investors (bought property worth QR 1,000,000+)
- Business investors (invested QR 2,000,000+ in businesses)
- Exceptional talents (scientists, researchers, artists, athletes)
- Individuals with “special contributions” to Qatar
Benefits:
- Permanent residency (not tied to employer)
- Can change jobs without NOC
- Can sponsor family regardless of salary
- 5-10 year validity (renewable)
- Can own property in designated areas
- Can exit/enter without exit permit
This is a game-changer for long-term expats. Previously, losing your job meant 30 days to leave Qatar. Golden visa holders have permanent residency independent of employment.
Process:
- Submit application showing you meet criteria
- Ministry of Interior reviews
- If approved: QR 2,000-5,000 processing fee
- Receive golden visa status on your QID
Timeline: 2-6 months (case-by-case basis)
For complete eligibility, application process, and benefits, see our dedicated guide: Qatar Golden Visa: Who Qualifies and How to Apply.
Special Visa Categories
Student Visa
Who needs this: International students studying at Qatar universities
Sponsored by: Educational institution (Qatar University, Georgetown, etc.)
Process: University handles visa process once you’re accepted
Rights: Can study, limited work rights (on-campus jobs), cannot sponsor family
Validity: Duration of study program
Domestic Worker Visa
Who needs this: Housemaids, drivers, nannies employed by Qatar residents
Sponsored by: Employer (the household)
Requirements:
- Sponsor must have residence permit in Qatar
- Minimum salary for sponsor (varies)
- Contract specifying wages, duties, days off
Process: Sponsor applies through authorized recruitment agencies
Rights: Same as work visa but tied to household employment
Important: Qatar has specific labor protections for domestic workers as of 2024. Minimum wage, maximum working hours, mandatory days off. See our guide: Nanny and Domestic Help in Qatar.
How to Check Which Visa You Need
Here’s a decision tree:
Are you visiting for tourism/short trip? → YES: Tourist/visit visa → NO: Continue
Do you have a job offer from Qatar company? → YES: Work visa → NO: Continue
Is your spouse/parent working in Qatar and sponsoring you? → YES: Family visa → NO: Continue
Are you starting a business in Qatar? → YES: Business visa → NO: Continue
Are you a high-value investor or exceptional talent? → YES: Golden visa → NO: Consult Qatar embassy or immigration lawyer
Common Visa Mistakes Expats Make
1. Accepting job offer without checking family visa salary threshold
You accept QR 8,000/month job. Arrive in Qatar. Realize you can’t sponsor your family (need QR 10,000). Your family stays home for 6 months until you get raise or find new job.
Solution: Before accepting any offer, confirm: (1) What’s your basic salary? (2) Does it meet QR 10,000 threshold for family visa? If not, negotiate or clarify when you’ll be eligible.
See our salary guide: What’s a Good Salary in Qatar.
2. Not starting document attestation immediately
You arrive on work visa. Start family visa process. Realize marriage certificate needs attestation. Process takes 6 weeks. Your family’s arrival is delayed by 2 months.
Solution: Start attestation process the day you get job offer. Don’t wait until you arrive.
3. Thinking tourist visa converts to work visa
You enter on tourist visa to “look for jobs.” You find one. Employer says “great, start Monday.” You can’t. Tourist visa doesn’t convert. You must exit Qatar, employer processes work visa, you re-enter.
Solution: Understand that tourist visa is tourist visa only. No conversions. For job hunting, be prepared to exit and re-enter.
4. Not understanding sponsor change rules
You’re on work visa with Company A. Company B offers you job. You assume you can just switch. Company A says “no, you need our NOC.” You’re stuck.
Solution: Understand sponsor change rules in Qatar BEFORE job hunting. If you haven’t completed contract or 5 years, you need current employer’s NOC. Many employers refuse. This can trap you in a job.
5. Overstaying visit visa
Your parents visit on 30-day tourist visa. They overstay by 3 days. At airport, they’re fined QR 200/day = QR 600. Plus possible entry ban.
Solution: Track visa expiry religiously. Set phone reminders. If you need extension, apply at least 5 days before expiry.
Visa Costs Summary
| Visa Type | Processing Cost | Timeline | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work Visa | QR 200-500 (employer usually pays) | 2-3 months | 1-5 years |
| Family Visa | QR 500-600 per person | 3-4 months | Tied to sponsor |
| Business Visa | QR 10,000-30,000+ (setup costs) | 2-4 months | 1-5 years |
| Tourist Visa | Free-QR 300 (depending on nationality) | Instant-5 days | 30-90 days |
| Golden Visa | QR 2,000-5,000 | 2-6 months | 5-10 years |
These don’t include medical tests (QR 100-200/person) or document attestation costs (QR 500-2,000 depending on country).
For complete cost breakdown, see: Cost of Living in Qatar.
After You Get Your Visa: Next Steps
Once you arrive in Qatar with your entry permit, here’s what happens:
Week 1:
- Report to immigration office (usually employer handles)
- Medical fitness test at approved center
- Chest X-ray and blood tests (HIV, Hepatitis, TB screening)
- If medical issues found, visa may be rejected (you must leave Qatar)
Week 2-3:
- Fingerprinting at biometrics center
- Photo for QID
- Application submitted for QID card
Week 3-4:
- QID issued
- This is your official residence permit card
- Carry it always (required by law)
- Now you can: open bank account, apply for driving license, rent apartment, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I work in Qatar without work visa? A: No. Working without work visa = illegal and deportable offense. Even if you’re on family visa, you need employer to transfer you to work visa before starting work.
Q: How long does work visa take? A: 2-3 months from job offer to QID in hand. Can be faster (6 weeks) if employer is efficient, or slower (4 months) if documents delayed.
Q: Can my wife work if she’s on my family visa sponsorship? A: Yes, but she needs her own work visa. Process: She finds job → Employer applies to transfer her sponsorship from you (family) to employer (work) → Takes 2-4 weeks → She gets work visa and new QID under employer sponsorship.
Q: What salary do I need to sponsor my wife and kids? A: QR 10,000/month minimum basic salary. Some professions exempt. See complete requirements: Family Visa Salary Threshold Guide.
Q: Can I change employers while on work visa? A: Yes, but depends: If you’ve completed contract OR worked 5+ years → You can change without current employer permission. If not → You need NOC from current employer. Many employers refuse NOC. Full details: How to Change Sponsors in Qatar.
Q: What happens if I lose my job? A: You have 30 days to either: (1) Find new employer who sponsors you, (2) Transfer to family member’s sponsorship if eligible, (3) Leave Qatar. If you don’t, you’re illegal and face deportation.
Q: Do I need exit permit to leave Qatar? A: As of 2024, most expats no longer need exit permit for temporary travel. However, some positions still require it. Check with employer. Complete guide: Exit Permit Qatar
Q: Can I bring my parents to Qatar? A: Yes, if: (1) Your salary is QR 15,000+/month, (2) Your employer approves, (3) Your parents meet health requirements. Process is more complex than spouse/children. Some employers don’t allow parent sponsorship at all.
Summary: Which Visa Do You Need?
Coming to work: Work visa (employer sponsors)
Joining family member: Family visa (family member sponsors)
Starting business: Business visa (your company sponsors)
Visiting/tourism: Tourist visa (visa-free, on-arrival, or e-visa)
High-value investor: Golden visa (government approves)
The visa type determines everything else: where you can live, whether you can work, whether you can drive, and how long you can stay. Get this decision right at the beginning, and everything else flows smoothly.
Next steps:
- If you’re moving for work: Complete Guide to Living in Qatar
- If you’re bringing family: Family Visa Requirements Guide
- If you’re visiting: Qatar Tourist Guide
- Once visa is approved: How to Get Your Qatar ID (QID)
About This Guide:
Last updated: February 19, 2026
This guide reflects current Qatar immigration laws. Visa rules can change – always verify with Qatar Ministry of Interior (moi.gov.qa) or your employer before making plans.
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