With its knowledge-based economy, ultra-low tax regime, and dynamic business culture, Qatar is a top destination for talent migration. If you are fortunate enough to secure a job in the country, you can bring your family with you! While a family visit visa is sufficient for a short-term stay, your relatives will need a Qatar family residence visa to stay with you permanently.

A family residence visa in Qatar allows you to sponsor your spouse, children, and parents for a long-term stay. However, each family member, including infants, must obtain an individual visa. This guide will help you and your family get through this process as swiftly as possible.

To obtain a family residence visa, one must meet certain eligibility criteria. The process is easier if your family is already on a Qatar visit visa. Firstly, the sponsor must have a valid Qatar ID, and their job title should be eligible for sponsoring dependents. This usually means having a technical or specialized, non-labor profession.

The minimum salary requirement for a family residence visa in Qatar is at least QAR 6,000 per month for a public-sector position (with accommodation provided by the company) and QAR 10,000 per month for a private-sector job

To apply for a family residence permit, you first need to fill out the application form, available through the Metrash app or at the Ministry of Interior (MOI) service centers. You also need passport copies for your spouse and children, an attested marriage certificate for your spouse, and attested birth certificates for your children.

Marriage and birth certificates must be attested by the Qatar Embassy in your home country or your country’s embassy in Qatar, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Non-Arabic or English birth and marriage certificates must be translated into Arabic and uploaded in Metrash.

In addition, you need to submit a bank statement stamped for the last six months to verify financial stability. You should also provide an employment contract and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer confirming your position and salary, and a valid employment contract showing your job details and salary. 

To provide accommodation proof, submit a tenancy contract, attested by the Municipality, to confirm suitable family accommodation. In some cases, your employer might provide it.

Unmarried daughters over 18 may need an Affidavit of Dependency or Declaration of Financial Support to confirm financial dependence for sponsorship. Adult children, i.e., married daughters and sons 25 and above, are not eligible for parental sponsorship and must obtain a work permit. Additional documentation is required to verify the relationship with adopted or stepchildren.

We recommend you apply for a Qatar family residence visa online via the Metrash app to avoid the queues at the Immigration Office and service centers. Please note that the applicant’s labor contract should be uploaded to the app to activate the family visa option. In most cases, the employer does this.

1. Download & log in to the app.
   

2. From the home page, click on the Visa icon.

3. Click Request Application, select Family Residence Visa.

4. Fill out the form.

5. Upload documents (JPEG only, max 500 KB).

6. Confirm submission.

You can pay the fee of QAR 200 via the app or at the immigration office.

After submission, monitor the status of your application via the app using the application number you received after submission. The status will update from "Under Process" to "Under Review." If approved, you'll receive a notification. Qatar family residence visa processing time typically takes between two and four weeks.

Once the family entry visa is approved, family members can travel to Qatar. The visa holder must enter within 90 to 180 days, which can be extended for another 180 days for 200 QAR. The visa's validity starts from the issue date.

After moving to Qatar, expatriates must complete the medical examination. It's conducted by the Medical Commission and screens for infections through blood tests and a tuberculosis X-ray. You'll need a passport (original and copy), a residence visa copy, and a sponsor’s Qatar ID copy. The fee is QAR 100. Children under 15 are usually exempt from tests.

After the medical test, adults must complete digital fingerprinting with the Ministry of Interior. The main center is CEID on Salwa Road, open from 7 AM to 1 PM. Once the fingerprint process is complete, you will receive an update on the app within three days.

After completing the above steps, apply for your family members' Qatar ID cards and residence permits through Metrash or at the MOI service center. Documents required:

• Completed application form
• Family member’s original passport
• Sponsor’s Qatar ID
• Passport-size photo (35x45mm, blue background)
• Signature or name (for children) on the form
• Fee: QAR 500 for one year. 

The appointment is scheduled through Residency in Metrash.

You'll find the Issue Residence Permit by tapping on Residency procedures. 

The QID is printed within five minutes after payment.

Then, register your family's national address through the Metrash app or at an MOI service center. For children, you can use the sponsor’s app.

You should input your PO box, telephone, address, email ID, and company info.

To obtain proof of national address, go to Certificates in Metrash and choose National Address Certificate. 

You can then choose the information you want displayed in the certificate.