The Ministry of Interior provides a straightforward application process to obtain QID for everyone. If you are wondering how to apply for Qatar ID for the first time, you can learn it right here.
In order to apply for Qatar ID online or in-person, you should complete knowledge about Qatar ID Application Process. In addition, you should have all required documents to attach with QID Application Form. Here I am going to explain what Qatar ID is, how you can submit an application for it and how long MOI can take to issue your Qatar ID Card.
Steps for Qatar ID Application Process
Getting a Qatar ID for the first time is a long process. The foreign citizens who want to stay and work in Qatar under the sponsorship of an individual/company, are required to go through all steps of Qatar ID Application Process and the sponsor should guide them throughout the process.
#1. Get Sponsorship [Find Employer/Company]
The sponsorship is mandatory for any foreign citizen who wants to stay and work in Qatar. If you want to stay in Qatar for study purposes still you need to get sponsorship from a university or educational institute.
In order to stay legally in Qatar, you need a Qatar ID Card cum Residency Permit and it is possible only if you have a sponsor. Because the sponsor has to initiate the QID application process on your behalf and apply for Qatar ID for you.
#2. Fly to Qatar
Once the sponsor initiates QID residency permit process for you, the MOI will grant an entry permit which allows you to enter Qatar. Thereafter the sponsor will send you a flight ticket and the entry permit that will allow you to fly to Qatar and enter the country without any interruption.
#3. Undergo Medical Examination
After you arrive in Qatar, you are required to undergo a medical examination, which is a part of getting Qatar ID Card and the Residency Permit. With the help of the sponsor, you can book an appointment for medical examination on your suitable date.
You should visit a government approved healthcare center to undergo a medical examination. It contains three health assessments given as under;
- Several Blood Tests
- Chest X-Ray
- General Health Assessment
After you complete the medical examination, it will take 3-4 working days to issue your health report and medical examination result. Your medical examination result helps the Qatar Authorities to know if you are fit & healthy enough to stay and work in Qatar.
NOTE: Although it happens rarely, the Qatar Immigration Authority may request for some more health tests if they found any critical health issue in your body. They may request you to take necessary treatment in Qatar to cure the disease.
In case your health report shows a chronic & contagious disease, your Qatar ID Application will get Rejected. The Immigration Authority will deport you to your home country as you are not fit/health enough to stay and work in Qatar.
#4. Register Biometrics
After medical examination, the next step is to register your biometrics at a Fingerprint Center i.e. MOI service center. You or your sponsor can book your biometric appointment at your nearest service center. Thereafter you need to visit the MOI service center on the appointment day to get your biometrics data captured for Qatar ID, Residency Permit and other purposes.
The MOI biometric data capture process includes the following_
- Fingerprint Capture
- Live Photo Capture
- Eyes Scanning
#5. Submit the Documents
After completion of biometric data registration, you (the worker) should handover all required documents to the sponsor so that the sponsor can apply for Qatar ID of the worker.
The sponsor must check all the documents and then apply for Qatar ID online or in-person as per their convenience. The sponsor has to submit all documents to the Ministry of Interior, Expatriates Affairs Department when applying for Qatar ID for their worker/employee.
#6. Pay the Fees [Paid by Sponsor]
During Qatar ID Application Process, the sponsor must pay the fee for Qatar ID and Residency Permit. The QID Fee varies based on the applicant’s visa type (sponsorship type) and the ID Card validity.
#7. Wait for Qatar ID Issuance
On completion of all steps, you need to wait for the issuance of your Qatar ID Card by the Expatriates Affairs Department, Ministry of Interior, Government of Qatar. It may take 2-3 weeks to process the QID Application and issue the ID Card.
The MOI takes time to process the first time Qatar ID Applications, while the renewal applications are processed faster. You must keep patience and wait for an email/SMS notification from MOI when your Qatar ID Card is issued and dispatched or ready to collect from the service center.
In this way, you can get your Qatar ID Card after completion of all seven steps given above.
How to Apply for Qatar ID Online
The sponsor needs to apply for Qatar ID online at Qatar MOI web portal for their workers or family members or students. Here I provide a guide to apply online for Qatar ID Card as follows;
- Go to Qatar MOI web portal @portal.moi.gov.qa.
- Select E-Services section.
- Login to MOI E-Services Portal to continue.
- Select Residency Services and click on Issue/Reactivate RP by Visa Number.
- Enter Visa Number of the Worker and other personal details.
- Upload the documents, pay the QID fees online.
- Save and print the Fee Payment Receipt.
- Submit the Qatar ID Application online to finish.
How to Apply for Qatar ID Offline
The sponsor can visit an MOI service center to apply for Qatar ID offline/in-person for their workers or family members or students. It is recommended to download Qatar ID Residency Permit Application Form PDF and fill it up at home to save time at the MOI service center.
After filling up, print the application form and carry it when going to the MOI service center to apply for Qatar ID Card offline.
- Visit your nearest MOI service center in Qatar.
- Go to Expatriates Affairs Department Office.
- Submit the Qatar ID Application Form with all documents at the service desk.
- Let the service employee check the form and documents, wait for 1-2 minutes.
- Pay the fees and collect the fee receipt.
- Get back the Original Documents and exit the service center.
In this way, the sponsor can apply for their workers’ Qatar ID Card online or in-person.
Qatar ID Application Processing Time
The Expatriates Affairs Department, Ministry of Interior can take 2 to 3 weeks to process your Qatar ID Application. It may take longer if there is heavy workload. If your application has any error or incomplete/invalid documents then it will require one-two visits to the MOI center and more 2-3 weeks.
Qatar ID Fees [QID Application Fees]
The Qatar ID Fees for expats depend upon the type of their visa/sponsorship. Here I provide Qatar ID Application Fee that the sponsor has to pay when applying for a New Qatar ID Card for their employee/worker/family member.
| Visa Type and Applicant Type | Qatar ID Application Fee in Qatari Riyals | ||
| 1 Year Validity | 2 Years Validity | 3 Years Validity | |
| Work Visa[Expat Workers/Employees] | QAR 1000 | QAR 2000 | QAR 3000 |
| Family Visa[Family Members] | QAR 500 | QAR 1000 | QAR 1200 |
| Domestic Work Visa[Domestic Workers] | QAR 300 | QAR 600 | QAR 900 |
| Student Visa[Students] | QAR 100 | QAR 200 | QAR 300 |
Documents Needed to Apply for Qatar ID
In order to apply for Qatar ID Card, you must have following documents ready.
- Completed Qatar ID Application Form Print
- Original Passport and Its Copy
- Valid Proof of Address in Qatar
- Health Report [Medical Examination Results]
- Blood Group Certificate
- Two Recent Coloured Passport Size Photographs [Blue Background]
- Copy of Birth Certificate [for Family Members]
- Copy of Marriage Certificate [Only If Applicable]
- Labour Contract: Employment Contract [Attested by the Ministry of Labor]
- No Objection Certificate Letter from Sponsor [NOC Issued by Sponsor]
- Sponsor/Employer’s Qatar ID Number or Establishment ID Card Number or Computer Card Number
Make sure that you have all required documents handy before you apply for Qatar ID Card
Final Suggestion
I have explained how to apply for Qatar ID online as well as offline/in-person in Qatar. You can check the step-by-step Qatar ID Application Procedure, required documents, QID Fees and other information above.
In case you still have a query, feel free to ask it in the comment section below. Our team will review your queries and reply in 24-48 working hours.
FAQs
How do expats apply for Qatar ID?
The expats cannot apply for Qatar ID directly, their sponsor can apply for Qatar ID on their behalf.
How long does it take to obtain a Qatar ID Card?
After Qatar ID Application Submission, it takes up to 3 weeks to obtain a Qatar ID Card.
Can I get Qatar ID without medical examination?
No, you cannot get your Qatar ID without medical examination because it is mandatory to undergo the medical fitness test to apply for Qatar ID.
Do I need to give fingerprint for Qatar ID?
Yes, you need to give fingerprint i.e. register biometrics at an MOI service center to apply for Qatar ID.
How much is QID Fee and who will pay it?
The QID Fee is QR 1000 per year for expat workers, QR 500 per year for family members, QR 300 per year for domestic workers and QR 100 per year for students. The sponsor will pay the Qatar ID Fee for their workers, family members and students.