Foreigners who want to immigrate to Qatar should expect a relatively simple process. The support of our immigration lawyers in Qatar is quite helpful for a simple and fast process. Those who want to open a company in Qatar are invited to talk to us and find out all the formalities about the required visas and residence permits linked to immigration to Qatar.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry visa requirement (from EU) (YES/NO) |
No |
|
Entry visa requirement (outside EU) (YES/NO) |
Yes, but exceptions apply |
|
Types of visas available |
For: – tourists, – business, – work, – family purposes, – GCC resident visa |
| Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.) | After living in Qatar for 20 consecutive years as a non-Qatari citizen or after 10 years as a Qatari citizen born outside the country. |
| Validity of temporary residence permit |
1 year |
| Temporary residence permit renewal requirements |
– payment of a license fee of around QAR 500, – proof of domicile, – special identification code (QID) |
| Documents for obtaining a residence permit |
– employment contract in case of workers, – proof of income in case of non-workers, – a valid passport, – information about address in Qatar |
| Time frame for obtaining permanent residence (approx.) |
A few weeks |
| Investor Visa availability (YES/NO) |
Yes |
| Start-up Visa Scheme availability (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Sponsorship requirement (YES/NO) |
Yes |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship |
After living at least 25 consecutive years in Qatar |
| Citizenship/Residency by investment scheme availability (YES/NO) |
Yes |
| Taxation of foreign citizens |
– no income tax for revenues gained outside Qatar, – 10% capital gain tax imposed on properties in Qatar |
| Tax benefits for expats |
No social security tax imposed for expats, no income tax on salaries. |
Table of Contents
Doha immigration formalities
Regarding entry visas to Qatar, it is important to know that there are more than 85 countries for which this rule is not imposed. That is why the country is one of the most popular in the Middle East for its simple immigration formalities. In the case of other countries, it is allowed to enter Qatar but the stay period is limited to 30 days. Doha, the capital of Qatar, is among the preferences of foreigners in terms of relocation and even opening a business. So, if you want to know more about Doha immigration, do not hesitate to talk to our immigration lawyers in Qatar.
How do I obtain residence in Qatar?
When deciding on migration to Qatar, it is important to know what kind of documents are required after the relocation process is completed. The residence permit is obtained at the same time as the work permit, and the sponsor in this case will be the employing company. In addition to the valid passport and other forms provided by the authorities, a copy of the employment contract is also required. We emphasize that this document is called Work Visa and Residence Card which is valid for 3 years.
It is important to note that applicants must stay in Qatar throughout the process of obtaining these documents. We remind you that all formalities can be managed by immigration lawyers in Qatar who have experience in this field. More about how to immigrate to Qatar can be discussed with us. We can also help you set up a company in Qatar and obtain all the necessary documents in just a few days.
Is it possible to obtain permanent residence in Qatar?
According to Qatari laws, those who want to obtain permanent residence in this country must have lived here for 20 years. In addition to this important condition, interested candidates must provide information about personal finances, speak Arabic fluently and have a clean criminal record. If you consider that you meet these conditions and want to obtain residency in Qatar, do not hesitate to contact our consultants. You can find out more about how to immigrate to Qatar.
Work visas available in Qatar
If you want to relocate to Qatar for work purposes, you must consider applying for a work visa. Here are some of the formalities for obtaining this type of visa:
- First of all, you must have an employment contract to be able to apply for the necessary visa.
- A certificate of good health is required.
- A copy of the valid passport is required, as well as the completion of standard forms provided by the Ministry of Labor in Qatar.
- Biometric data is also requested, alongside the immigration card of the employer.
- Our immigration lawyers in Qatar can collaborate with the employing companies regarding the formalities of obtaining a work visa for Qatar. Thus, you will ensure that all the documents are correctly prepared and that there will be no cases in which applications for work visas are rejected by the authorities.
So, get in touch with our immigration specialists if you are interested in moving to Qatar for work purposes. On the other hand, our experts can manage the formalities for company formation in Qatar.
Family and visit visas for Qatar
Once work and residence permits are issued in Qatar, foreign workers can act as sponsors for family members. Thus, all the necessary arrangements can be made to bring the family to Qatar, respecting the formalities for immigration in this country. Here are some important aspects and formalities:
- The Expatriate Affairs and Unified Services Centers accept applications for family and visit visas for Qatar, and here are some standard forms to fill out.
- The employer can provide you with an approval letter attesting to the fact that you work in the respective company.
- Marriage certificates, children’s birth certificates, as well as education certificates, if any, are required.
- You must present some bank statements attesting to the salary for the last six months in Qatar.
It is important to specify that, spouses and children can stay in Qatar with a visit visa for no more than 6 months. However, there are also visit and family visas with a validity of 3 months for other types of relatives. Also, such a visa is valid for one month, which means that it must be renewed periodically.
So, if you are interested in relocating your family for a short or long period in Qatar, we advise you to contact our team of specialists to find out what all the formalities are in this regard.
What does mandatory health check mean and how is it done?
Foreigners who want to immigrate to Qatar must take into account the fact that the authorities require detailed health checks. Thus, it is important to note that you have to do some medical tests, such as chest X-rays and blood tests in the first weeks after entering Qatar. Following these tests, the authorities want to ensure that visa applicants and resettlement in Qatar are healthy or do not suffer from communicable diseases. However, there are many situations in which this type of medical check-up is required before entering Qatar, for citizens coming from countries such as Oman or Saudi Arabia.
Some formalities might seem complex for foreigners interested in immigration to Qatar which is why legal support is highly recommended. Our team of lawyers in Qatar has experience in this field.
Business visa for foreign investors
Instead of a work visa and residence in Qatar, you can get a business visa for activities that do not last more than 3 months. In the case of citizens coming from countries that are part of the Gulf Cooperation Council, they do not need a work visa, but they must have a residence permit to live in Qatar. We remind you of our immigration consulting services that are at your disposal from the very beginning. Migration to Qatar and the formalities involved can be discussed with us.
A residence permit in Qatar can be issued in approximately 4 weeks if the presented documents are accepted by the immigration authorities. But to ensure a quick and simple process, we advise you to contact one of our lawyers. They can explain the formalities and prepare the necessary documents for this endeavor. Contact us today for a personalized offer and free case evaluation.
Relocation of companies in Qatar
Doha, the capital of Qatar, is a business destination highly valued by international investors due to its advantages. The stable and strong economy plays an important role in the decision to invest in Qatar, which is why countries such as Japan, Singapore, the USA, and South Korea are already present with billions of dollars in business. An experienced and multilingual workforce, well-developed infrastructure, and financial connections with the most important global markets are some important advantages offered by Qatar over those who want to invest in this country.
Why immigrate to Qatar?
Among the reasons why foreign citizens choose Qatar for relocation are high salaries and multiple benefits in terms of taxes. Also, the cost of living is relatively low, compared to many other countries. The fact that Qatar offers a business visa is an advantage for foreign entrepreneurs who want to open their businesses in this country, benefiting from an extremely advantageous tax system and a highly appreciated business climate.
Here are some statistics and information, that might help if you want to immigrate to Qatar and do business, for example.
- Qatar’s GDP grew by 4% in 2022, compared to 2021, when growth of only 1.5% was registered.
- Qatar is expected to register a GDP growth of about 2.7% in 2023.
- Qatar has one of the most advantageous tax systems in the world, with a corporate income tax of only 10%.
Working with our immigration consultants in Qatar
Our team of specialists can help you with complete details if you are interested in immigration to Qatar. Experience and professionalism speak for themselves when we collaborate with our clients, in order to find the best solutions for the presented problems.
Would you like to immigrate to Qatar? There are some formalities to be followed, and one of our local immigration lawyers can explain in detail what steps to follow. Depending on the country you come from, you will need a visa, then a residence permit. The presentation of a valid passport, proof of domicile and income, plus the work contract if you accepted a job in this country are among the documents required by the immigration authorities. We will help you complete all the formalities to relocate you successfully.
We offer support on migration to Qatar, therefore, we invite you to contact our team of immigration consultants in Qatar and find out all the details about visas and relocation formalities.