For every foreigner who want to work and live in a Qatar must have Qatar work visa. It is the necessary documents that is issued by Qatar’s Ministry of Interior (MOI), working with the Ministry of Labor without this you cannot allow to work in a Qatar. For this visa you must have job offer letter from Qatari employer who will sponsor you application for visa purpose. This visa is also a part of your residence permit. Here is the detailed guide on obtaining work visa for Qatar.
What is Qatar Work visa?
A Qatar work visa is a legal documentation or permit that is allowed by Qatari government for foreign nationalities for the purpose of working and living in a Qatar. This visa type is specifically for work or job in Qatar and is a part of Qatar’s residence permit system. Without this visa you are not allow to work or job in a Qatar.
Who needs a Qatar work visa?
A work visa is required for anyone who is not a citizen of Qatar who want to work there must required a work visa for Qatar. For smooth process of this visa you must have a job offer letter from a company or Qatari employer.
Types of Qatar work visas
Temporary or Short-term visa:
This type of visa is for temporary jobs, such project-based work in Qatar. These visas are usually non-renewable and have a limited validity of a few months.
Permanent or Long-term visa:
This type of visa is for a long-term job with a company in Qatar. This is the most common type of visa and is linked to your residence permit.
Documents Required for Qatar work visa
Following are the required documents for easy processing of your visa.
- A valid job offer: you have a job offer letter from a Qatari company or employer must hire you.
- Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months.
- Educational and professional certificates: your all educational degrees and certificates should be attested by your home country’s government and the Qatari embassy.
- Medical certificate: Your medical test should be clear to ensure you are fit to work.
- Passport-sized photos: Usually, fresh photos are required with white background or as per requirement.
- Employer support: Your employer will handle most of the paperwork and approvals for easy processing of your visa.
- Police clearance certificate: You also required police clearance certificate which confirms that you have not any criminal records
Steps to take smooth processing of Work visa for Qatar
You must follow several steps for smooth processing of your visa.
- Job Offer and Sponsorship:
- A confirmed job offer letter is required. Your employer will manage your visa application and serve as your sponsor.
- No Objection Certificate (NOC):
- A NOC could be needed by employers, particularly if you are changing jobs within Qatar.
- Submit Documents:
- All required paperwork will be collected by your employer and sent to the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of the Interior.
- Medical Test:
- After your arrival in Qatar, you must take a medical test at an approved health center to confirm you health status
- Fingerprinting:
- The government is going to gather your biometric information.
- Work Visa Approval:
- After completing this process, your visa will be approved for your work in Qatar.
Validity of Qatar work visa:
Usually the validity of work visa depend upon your type of employment. Mostly the visa is valid between 1 to 3 years.
How to apply for Qatar Work visa? (Complete Detailed Guideline)
Any foreign who want to job or work in Qatar can not directly applying their work visa application. You first find your job and then your employer proceed your application process through ministry of interior Qatar .Here is the simple and step by step guide of all these procedure.
Step 1:Secure or find a job in Qatar:
- Firstly the main step is find a job in Qatar according to your skill and qualification by using online and offline references or medium like recruitment agencies ,LinkedIn ,or different Gulf website.
- Verify that your employer must have sufficient authority to sponsor work permits.
Step 2:Sign on you job and Employment contracts:
- If your job is confirm carefully read the employment form or contract.
- Make sure your job designation , type of work , salary ,duty timing and all other benefits then sign.
Step 3:Employer Starts your Work Visa Process.
- As your employer is also you sponsor they start the visa Application processes on behalf of you in Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Interior.
- your employer demand following documents from you.
- At least 6 month valid passport.
- Fresh Passport-sized pics
- Your academic certificates or degrees, attested by your home country or Qatar’s Embassy.
- Police Clearance Certificate (PCC),shows that you have no criminal records.
Step 4: Receive a Work Visa and Travel to Qatar:
- Once your visa is approved you will receive your visa (entry permit) or travel to Qatar.
- Depending on your job might possible your employer bear your expense of travelling.
Step 5: Take a Medical Examination or test in Qatar:
After arrival in Qatar you undergo a medical Examination to prove that you are fit and it is necessary for the health or safety of Qatar citizen. This test include
- All Blood test (including HIV or Hepatitis)
- Chest x-ray
- ECG or other tests
These test are necessary to show that you and your medical report is fit to maintain a healthy environment in qatar.
Step 6: Biometric or Fingerprinting:
For biometric registration, go to the Qatari government approved centers.it is also necessary for your residence process.
Step 7: Apply for a Residence Permit (RP):
After clearing your medical test your employer apply for your residence permit. This is the necessary for your living in a Qatar and its apart of your Work permit.
Step 8: Start Working in Qatar:
After completing these process now you are legally working and living in a Qatar.
Qatar visa Application form:
What is the age limit of Qatar work visa?
The age limit for work visa depend upon the type of job.
Minimum age Limit: The minimum age for work visa is 18 years old.
Maximum age Limit: The maximum age limit for work visa is 60 years old. However under certain demanding professions or for some high skilled persons age may be ignored if you are above 60.
What is the processing time of Qatar work visa?
The overall processing time including labor approval, medical test, Qatar residence or work permit generally takes 4 to 6 weeks. Depending on your strengthen of your application the processing time may be shorter or delayed.
Working Hours in Qatar:
- According to Qatar labor law the daily working hour up to10 hours and weekly working hours are 48 hour.
- Once a week 24 hour or one day is a consecutive rest day usually its Friday.
- During Ramadan working hours are reduced to 6 hours a day or 36 hour in a week.
Qatar work visa cost
Your visa cost in mostly handle by your employer side but generally the cost of issuing of work visa is around QR-200.
- The fee for medical test is QR-100.
- Fingerprint scanning fee is also QR_100.
What is the renewal cost of Qatar residence permit?
Standard renewal cost of your Residence permit is around QR-500. but in some cases it may required some additional charges.
What is the current minimum wage in Qatar?
According to labor law the minimum wage of employee in Qatar is QR_1000 per month. if food and accommodation are not provided by employer or company then an additional cost of
- QR-200 for food.
- QR-500 for accommodation is provided.
so minimum salary is QR-1800 per month if food and accommodation is not provided.
Do GCC citizens need a work visa for Qatar?
To work in Qatar, GCC nationals (those from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) do not need a work visa or permit. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) agreements which allow free movement and employment for GCC nationals grant them the right to live, work, and do business in Qatar. Although they fulfil some general formalities for their employment purpose like registering with the local authorization or getting a Qatari ID for work.
Is women allowed to work in Qatar?
Qatari government or Qatar’s labor law provided equal rights for both men and women in Qatar. Yes women are allowed to work in Qatar with proper workplace protection and benefits in various fields like Education ,Hospitals and Healthcare services .for working in Qatar they required work permit or No Objection certificate(NOC) if they are sponsor by a family.
How i can check my Qatar visa status online?
To verify the status of your MOI Qatar visa check online, you can use the Ministry of Interior (MOI) portal. By following simple, easy steps, you can review your visa check Qatar status.
- Step 1. Open the official MOI website at moi.gov.qa.
- Step 2. Locate and click on the “Inquiries” tab.
- Step 3. Click on the “Visa service” tab.
- Step 4. Choose the “Visa Inquiry & Printing” option to access the relevant form.
- Step 5. Enter your “visa number“ and “passport number“ in the designated portion.
- Step 6. Select your “Nationality“ from the dropdown menu.
- Step 7. Complete the “CAPTCHA“ code as shown.
- Step 8. Click “Submit” to view your current MOI Qatar visa check status.
Why Qatar is an attractive country for foreign workers?
Qatar’s thriving economy, tax-free income, and expanding job opportunities in industries like healthcare, construction, and finance are primarily attract in foreign workers. Additionally, the nation has implemented labor reforms that have improved worker rights and increased its attractiveness to foreigners. Furthermore, Qatar’s National Vision 2030 encourages the development of competent international talent and long-term employment opportunities. In addition to work opportunities, Qatar offers family residence visas, allowing expatriates to sponsor their families and enjoy a stable and comfortable life in the country. The government has made it easier for skilled professionals to bring their dependents, enhancing Qatar’s appeal as a family-friendly destination.
Common reasons for the rejection of work visa application:
Here is the some common reason that cause rejection of your application.
- An expired passport or missing of documents like employment contract ,unattested educational degrees ,medical certificates can lead to visa rejection.
- Medical unfit status is also the cause of rejection.
- your previous criminals records.
- pervious visa rejection history.
- Immigration issues like overstaying or deported.
Conclusion
Securing a job offer from a Qatari company, who will sponsor your visa, is the initial step of obtaining a Qatar work visa. Documentations like passport, Attested educational certificates, and medical results are necessary for your smooth visa application process. The duration of this visa depend upon the type of your employment in Qatar. You can live and work legally in Qatar if you complete these procedures and fulfill the given necessary conditions.
