Qatar Work Visa Guide 2025: Application Process, Fees and Requirements
Qatar is the best option for professional and skilled workers if they are looking to move to the Middle East for employment. Qatar’s economy is booming, and rapid development in the country attracts human resources from across the globe to contribute to its growth. Moreover, Qatar National Vision 2030 plans to boost its economy, provide a better lifestyle, enhance tourism, provide better education facilities, and improve growth in different developing sectors.
Securing a Qatar work visa is mandatory to start your employment journey in Qatar. However, it is a complicated process that requires careful planning and compliance with rules and regulations. Before starting a work visa application process, the applicant must have a contract from the employer in Qatar.
Qatar welcomes highly skilled workers, including doctors, engineers, software developers, and laborers such as plumbers, drivers, masons, gatekeepers, etc.
This comprehensive guide will explain all the steps, including requirements, eligibility criteria, processing time, renewal of the Qatar work permit, and other aspects that will help you get your Qatar work visa without any hassle.
Updates 2024!!
Qatar has updated the validity period for the Multiple Entry Work Visa (MEWV) for the nationals of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka for up to 12 months (aligned with the maximum period of a legal employment contract). Before, the validity period was 180 days (first for 90 days and then extended further for 90 days).
Understanding of Qatar Work Visas
It is crucial to understand the process of a Qatar Work Visa with these three steps:
Types of Qatar Work Visas
If the applicant gets the work contract from his employer, he needs a visa to enter Qatar. Right now, there are five types of visas available for foreigners in Qatar, including:
Among the 5 visas mentioned above, you need a work permit to enter Qatar and start a new job. However, if you get employment in Qatar, the next step is obtaining a residence visa.
Eligibility Requirements for the Qatar Work Visa
The eligibility requirement for a Qatar employment visa is the following:
Documents Required for Qatar Work Visa
Here is the list of documents that are required to process a Qatar work visa:
How to Get a Qatar Work Visa?
The steps to get a Qatar work visa are quite lengthy. Here are the steps the sponsor’s company or the employer must take to get this visa.
Step 1: The company will register with the immigration department with the required documents, including a complete application form for immigration, a copy of the passport for all the signatories, business owners, and representatives, and a copy of the commercial registration as well as a copy of the trade license.
Step 2: In the next step, the employer will get approval from the Ministry of Labor for the number of work permits for the foreign workers. For this purpose, you need to submit the documents:
Step 3: In the next step, the company will apply for a Qatar employment visa as a sponsor to their employees, which requires the following documents:
Step 4: Once the visa is approved, the employer will send a copy to their employees, and all the original documents will be submitted to the employee’s arrival airport before their arrival. This whole process usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.
How to get a Qatar Work Permit?
A Qatar work permit will be arranged within 7 working days after the arrival of the employee. Before applying for a Qatar work permit, a medical certificate must be obtained to prove the fitness of the employee. So medical tests must be taken at government-approved hospitals, which require the following documents:
Once the medical certificate is issued, the employer can apply for a Qatar work and resident permit for one, two, or three years.
Documents Required for Qatar Work Permit
The following documents are required to apply for a Qatar work and residence visa.
This whole process takes 2 to 4 weeks time.

How to Get Qatar Residence Permits?
The last step is to get a Qatar residence permit after the Qatar employment visa and work permit are approved and copies sent to the employee. Now, the employee can enter Qatar and collect a Qatar employment visa, and other documents from the airport. After reaching Qatar, a fingerprint scan and medical check will be done again.
Now, the Qatar resident permit application will begin, which converts the employee Qatra work visa to a Qatar residence permit. To complete this process, the documents mentioned above are required, including the sponsor’s passport photocopy. Once the residence permit is issued, the employee starts working under his employer until the employment terminates. Approximately, it will take six weeks to complete the process.
Does a GCC Citizen also require a Qatar Work Visa or Permit?
All those foreigners who are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council states and live in Qatar can attain a GCC residence visa to live and work in Qatar. However, other than these countries, all non-Qatari citizens require a work visa to work in Qatar. The following are the countries that come under the umbrella of GCC.
Qatar Work Permit for Women
There are additional requirements for women who live in Qatar and want to apply for Qatar work permits for women. According to Qatari law, a married woman who lives under a family residency permit in Qatar needs permission from her husband before applying for a visa. However, a man can apply on his own.
Cost of Qatar Work Permit
The Qatar work visa fee is high compared to other visas, but the good news is that your employer takes care of all the fees and pays on your behalf. Employers pay QR 200 for an employment visa to get you into the country and then pay a further QR 500 to convert a work permit into a residence permit.
Processing Time of Qatar Work Visa, Qatar Work Permit and Residence Permit
Process | Time |
---|---|
Qatar Work Visa Process | 2 to 4 weeks |
Qatar Work Permit Process | 2 to 4 weeks |
Qatar Residence Permit Process | Approximately Six weeks |
What are the Working Hours in Qatar?
The regular working hours in Qatar are 48 hours per week. An employee can work 10 hours per day and can take one day off in a week; usually, it’s Friday. However, working hours are reduced on Ramadan days to 36 hours per week or 6 hours per day.
What is the minimum wage in Qatar?
As of 2024, The minimum wage in Qatar is QR 1000. Additionally, an allowance of QR 300 for food and QR 500 for housing is paid to the worker by the employers in case of not providing food and housing directly.
How can Work permits in Qatar be changed or renewed?
As the employer applies for the work visa of their worker with a validity of one to three years, when the time comes for the renewal of the visa, the sponsor company takes care of it, including fees and documents. It is mandatory to apply for the renewal of a visa before 3 months of the previous visa expiry. Employees can also apply for renewal of their work visa by themselves.
Renewal fee of Qatar Work Visa
There are some fees charged by the government to renew the work visa. However, that fee will be paid by the sponsor company.
Family Sponsorship (Spouse and Children) | QR 500 |
Employees on personal Sponsorship | QR 300 |
Employees Sponsored by Company | QR 1000 |
Helpful Resources
Renewing a Work Permit in Qatar
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to apply by myself for a work visa in Qatar?
No, your employer will be your sponsor and apply for a work visa and pay a fee as well.
What is the minimum wage in Qatar?
The minimum wage in Qatar is QR1000.
How much time does it take to complete the process of a Qatar work visa?
The work visa and work permit process takes 2 to 4 weeks; however, a residence permit takes approximately 6 weeks.
Can I invite my family to Qatar if I have a work visa?
Yes, you can apply for a family residency permit to bring your family to Qatar. Read this article to apply for a family residency visa. https://qatarvisaguide.com/qatar-family-residence-visa-guideline/