A residence permit in Qatar can be obtained as soon as you move to this country. The process of issuing a residence card in Qatar in 2025 is not complicated, and foreigners can rely on the services of our specialists. In addition, those who want to open a company in Qatar can be guided by our agents who have experience in this field and who can handle all the formalities. We invite you to talk to our immigration lawyers in Qatar and see how you can be helped to obtain an investor visa in Qatar.
Quick Facts | |
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Temporary residence permit types |
Work and residence permit in Qatar |
Time needed to obtain Qatar residence permit (approx.) |
Between 2 and 4 weeks |
Temporary residence permit validity |
Between 2 and 4 weeks |
Documents for obtaining temporary residence |
– employment contract, – proof of domicile, – medical tests, – valid passport to obtain residency in Qatar |
Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register) |
Foreigners must register with the local authorities in Qatar |
Dependents can join the temporary permit holder (Yes/No) |
No |
Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes |
Investments of at least USD200,000 to gain permanent residency in Qatar |
Type of investments available for residency purposes |
– real estate investments, – business formation or relocation |
Minimum investment amount |
USD 200,000 |
Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence |
– 20 years for non-Qatari born outside the state, – 10 years for applicants born in Qatar |
Residency in Qatar for individuals married to a citizen of the country |
Qatar Family Visa Application, with documents like: marriage certificate, proof of salary, rental contract |
Documents for obtaining permanent residence |
– standard forms offered by Qatari Immigration office, – current residence permit, – valid passport |
Naturalization requirements |
– residency for at least 20 years, – clear criminal record, – financial means, – application made inside Qatar, – knowledge of Arabic language |
Citizenship requirement after permanent residence |
Living at least 25 years without interruption in Qatar |
Dual citizenship permitted (Yes/No) | No |
Table of Contents
Requirements for residency in Qatar in 2025
Foreigners who want to work in Qatar in 2025 need a residence permit. What is important to know is that the employer can start the formalities for obtaining a residence permit in Qatar, this being the main sponsor, employed in this process. Moreover, those waiting for residency and investor visa in Qatar are advised not to leave the country until the process is complete. Here are the conditions required to obtain residency in Qatar:
- Entry into Qatar is made with a single-entry visa.
- The foreign citizen should have a blood test to detect possible diseases such as HIV and a chest x-ray.
- The employment contract is then presented to the authorities, together with the valid passport, copies of the professional certificates, and the marriage certificate, if applicable.
- The first temporary residence permit is obtained in Qatar, and will then be transformed into a permanent one, but under other conditions.
- The employer, together with one of our specialists will supervise the process of obtaining a residence permit for Qatar. It can take about two weeks.
We remind you that the residence permit in Qatar costs around QAR 1,000, a payment that will be made annually. Do not hesitate to talk to our team of immigration lawyers in Qatar and find out all the details about the documents required to obtain residency and investor visas in Qatar. We are here to help you with immigration to Qatar and related issues.
Below is an infographic with details about permanent residency in Qatar for expats:
Who qualifies for permanent residency in Qatar for expats?
A permanent residency is issued only for foreigners living in Qatar for at least 20 years, fluent in Arabic, and with a clear criminal record, to name a few of the requirements imposed. Plus, the authorities will ask for information about personal incomes to see if candidates can support their living, including family members. More on this topic and about immigration to Qatar can be offered by our local advisors.
A residence permit in Qatar is required for all foreigners living or relocating to this country. Even though tourists and non-residents can stay in Qatar as long as the visa lets, after this period or in case of obtaining a job, it is recommended to apply for a residence permit in Qatar. We assist you in getting an Iqama in Qatar and explain all the legal formalities.
Persons who lost their residence permit can make a new one at the immigration office. In this sense, an ID form must be completed, alongside the payment of a fee of around QAR 200 for the new document.
You might want to watch the video presentation we have prepared on this topic:
Qatar permanent residency by investment for foreigners
The Investment Promotion Agency in Qatar recently revised the conditions for Qatar permanent residency by investment to attract more foreigners to the country. As such, citizens from overseas can purchase properties worth at least USD 200,000 in 25 areas of Qatar and obtain temporary residence. In the case of investments of USD 1 million, applicants can enjoy the benefits of Qatar permanent residency by investment like complete healthcare plans and free education. Such a program allows candidates to bring their family members too, so those interested in Qatar residency by investment or investor visa in Qatar are suggested to talk to our specialists and see how they can be helped.
Immigration to Qatar and the formalities involved come to the attention of our lawyers with experience in this field. First of all, you must apply for the necessary visa, respectively choose from the one dedicated to tourists, for work in this country, for business, or for reuniting with family members. then it follows that the candidates apply for a residence permit by providing proof of new domicile. Therefore, there are several aspects to take into account, but all the information can be obtained from our experts.
New residence permit program available in Qatar in 2025
According to new law modifications in Qatar for 2025, foreign citizens can now apply for the residence permit program for talented individuals and entrepreneurs. This type of residence permit in Qatar allows foreigners to work and live in Qatar for 5 years, with the possibility of renewing this document. Basically, it can be said that this type of permit offers the possibility of investing in Qatar on a long-term basis or working in different sectors of interest, as talented and qualified individuals. The efforts of the Qatari government are clear in this regard because they want a boost in the economic development of the country, relying on talent and innovation.
Qatar residence permit renewal
Citizens residing in Qatar who wish to renew their residence permits in 2025 can do so by calling on specialist help from our experienced immigration lawyers in Qatar. E-visa online is the system with which foreigners apply for the necessary visas and permits, reminding that the Ministry of Interior in Qatar is the institution that supervises this process and provides the necessary approvals. Here’s what you need to know if you need a Qatar residence permit renewal:
- QAR 500 is the approximate license fee renewal fee in Qatar.
- Both online application processes for Qatar residence permit renewal and offline are allowed.
- The renewal of the residence permit is made for one year or 3.
- QID is the identification code that helps to renew the residence permit in Qatar.
- Applicants for residence permits in Qatar must also provide some documents from the employer.
Normally, the process of obtaining a residence permit in Qatar should not take more than 4 weeks. Once obtained, foreign citizens can apply for family members as well, specifying that the employing company can act as a sponsor. In this case, a family residence permit will be issued.
Therefore, residents who want to extend their residence permit in Qatar can turn to our specialists. Our immigration lawyers in Qatar can handle all the necessary documents and formalities, including for Iqama in Qatar, so you can be sure that the application will not be rejected for various reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our specialists often receive questions about the residence permit in Qatar, the timeframe, and the necessary documents. Therefore, we have prepared some of these questions, hoping that the answers will help you get an idea of the formalities imposed by the Qatari authorities, including the ones referring to Qatar residence permit renewal.
A temporary residence permit in Qatar is the first document obtained by foreign citizens who relocate to this country. This permit can be renewed, and at some point, it can become a permanent residence permit in Qatar.
Normally, residence permits in Qatar are renewed in about 325 days, as long as the process takes. For this reason, it is good to consider the validity of this document, so that you can then apply for its renewal. We remind you that you can be helped by our immigration lawyers in Qatar.
The Minister of the Interior can provide information on the validity of residence permits in Qatar. You can access the official website of this institution, but to find out all the details about this aspect, we invite you to talk to us.
Employers are those who provide information about the employment contract, to those institutions that deal with applications for visas, work permits, and residence permits. Together with these, our specialists will take care of the required formalities.
This status can be obtained under certain conditions, by people who have already lived in Qatar for at least 20 years. The authorities will also check the criminal record.
According to Immigration Law in Qatar, citizens who have not renewed their residence permit on time can pay fines. It is recommended to consider the validity of this act to avoid potential penalties.
Foreign businessmen who want to obtain permanent residence in Qatar must invest USD 1 million. There are a number of benefits that come with this status, but for more information please contact our company formation agents in Qatar.
Work and residence permit or RP is the document that certifies that you can live and work in Qatar legally. Employers must provide full details about the type of contract offered to foreigners who want to work in Qatar.
Normally, residence permits in Qatar are obtained in about 4 weeks, but the process can be extended if all the conditions are not met. It is important to emphasize that applicants should not leave the country during the process of obtaining a residence permit in Qatar.
Permanent residency in Qatar for expats is the type of document that offers many benefits, including signing a contract with the utility provider, signing a lease, and even applying for a bank loan.
Interested in company formation in Qatar? Would you like to set up a company in Qatar? We assist foreign in this endeavor and also recommend the services of our accountants in Qatar. You can get in touch with us and find out how you can benefit from personalized offers, including for company incorporation in Qatar or if you would like to apply for an investment/ investor visa in Qatar.