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. If you are interested in business immigration, we can also help you set up a company in Qatar and obtain all the necessary documents in just a few days.
Here is an infographic with details about the immigration process for Qatar:
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 a minimum of 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 a 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 residence 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. You can also watch the following video presentation we have prepared:
Conditions for getting a Qatar Family Residence Visa
A Qatar family residence visa can be a handy option for foreigners interested in relocating to Doha. As mentioned above, a sponsor is needed who has a residence visa in Qatar. On the other hand, this sponsor must provide proof of a job and salary in Qatar. Specialized or technical jobs are appreciated here when acting as sponsors but it is not necessarily a rule. Moving to Doha and applying for a family residence visa requires you to meet specific salary conditions that cover all the expenses of the family that will be relocated to Qatar.
Regarding children who move to Qatar, the family residence visa is only obtained if the boys are under 18 years old and the girls are unmarried. It is quite important to take into account these requirements and present all the required documents, including birth certificates and marriage certificates in the case of parents. Our recommendation is to work with our immigration lawyers in Qatar and find out more about family residence visas and how to move to Doha. Here are some formalities that are part of the process of obtaining this visa:
- Moving to Qatar with family starts with preparing documents, including a no-objection certificate from the sponsor, in addition to birth and marriage certificates.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Qatar Embassy attests and approves the documents required for a residence family visa.
- The first stage application can be made online or at the immigration office in Qatar. In both cases, you can be represented by one of our specialists.
- The entry visa is needed when arriving in Qatar(if necessary). Then, the applicants must pass some mandatory medical tests. Fingerprints are also taken as part of the family residence visa requirements.
- The family residence permit in physical form in Qatar is issued when all conditions have been met, including those related to medical tests carried out in an authorized center in Qatar. The Ministry of Interior in Qatar, through its local offices issues a family residence card.
Moving to Qatar with family is not complicated, on the contrary. In addition, those who receive this Qatari residence permit can benefit from healthcare services, education, and other social facilities. Moreover, spouses have the right to work under the sponsorship of the family member, among others.
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 can help foreigners relocate to Doha.
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.
Population and immigration of Qatar
Here are some interesting facts about Qatar’s immigration rate and population:
- According to data for 2024, around 2,552,000 was the population of Qatar.
- Around -0.7 migrants per 1,000 population is the net migration rate in Qatar, according to latest data for 2024.
Working with our immigration lawyers in Qatar
Our immigration lawyers in Qatar can provide legal advice and deal with the necessary arrangements for foreigners interested in obtaining a visa and the residence permit in this country. We are at your disposal with immediate and complete legal assistance in a large number of immigration matters, so feel free to discuss with us and find out all you need to know.
Besides assistance for migration to Qatar, we also help foreigners with company incorporation in Qatar. Setting up a company in Qatar might be confusing for international investors, which is why our assistance can be a proper option for future business developments. Plus, we also provide the services of our accountants in Qatar, at affordable prices. Therefore, we invite you to contact our team of immigration consultants in Qatar and find out all the details about visas and relocation formalities, including for companies abroad, as the case may be.