Are you planning to leave Qatar or switch to a different visa? Cancelling your current Qatar visa is mandatory. Whether you are a resident or a worker, it is essential to have your visa canceled before leaving the country or applying for another visa category. Understanding this process is crucial to ensure a successful cancellation without legal or financial complications. 

This guide covers everything you need to know on how to cancel a visa in Qatar, including who is responsible for the cancellation, when it is necessary, how to request it online or offline, and the rules available on Qatar exit permits and grace periods.

Visa cancellation refers to the official termination of your visa in Qatar. Once canceled, you are no longer legally allowed to stay in the country on that particular visa. This process is mandatory in the following situations:

If you’re leaving Qatar permanently

If you are an expat or a Qatari resident planning to relocate and leave the country for good, you are legally required to cancel your visa to comply with Qatar’s immigration laws.

If you switch to a different visa type

It is necessary to first cancel your current visa before applying for a new one to avoid having two active visas in the system.

If you resign or change your job

If you resign or have your contract terminated, your employer can sometimes cancel your visa. You will then have to leave the country, apply for a new visa, or have a new employer sponsor your work visa.

As the visa owner, you are not always responsible for canceling it. The responsibility will depend on the type of visa you have.

For work visas, the employer is in charge of canceling, in most cases. In case of family residence visas, the family sponsor, usually the head of the household, has to initiate the visa cancellation process. Check our detailed guide if you need more information on how to apply for a Qatar family residence visa. For student visas, the sponsoring university or institution may need to officially cancel your visa.

Lastly, no cancellation is required for tourist visas.

Settle financial obligations

After your visa is canceled, some Qatari banks will freeze your account, especially if you have unpaid loans, such as credit card debt or a car loan. To avoid issues, it is best to check directly with your bank and confirm if your account can remain active or should be closed. They can also issue a financial clearance letter that you may need during the cancellation process.

If you have outstanding bills — for instance, for phone, electricity, or home internet — make sure to pay them and cancel the service agreements.

Ensure you receive your final salary and end-of-service benefits. Companies offer bonuses to employees who have worked for the company as an appreciation gesture for their services. If this is included in your contract, make sure to retrieve it before applying for a cancellation.

If you own a car registered under your Qatar ID (QID), you must sell it or transfer ownership to someone else before leaving Qatar. In case you do not settle these financial requirements, your visa cancellation process may be impacted and delayed.

Settle legal obligations

If you’re unsure about your legal situation or if you have a travel ban that could affect your ability to leave the country, you can check it online using the Ministry of Interior (MOI) service portal in the Travel ban inquiry section.

Alternatively, you can check via the Metrash app in Travel Ban. 

If you have unpaid traffic fines, you can check and pay them online through the MOI Traffic Services Portal. 

Prepare the required documents

For all visa types, the following documents are likely to be required for visa cancellation:

• Passport, valid for at least six months

• Qatar ID (QID) card

• Visa cancellation request form

• Clearance letter from the bank if you had financial obligations (loans, debts,…)

If you have a work visa or a family residence visa, you will additionally need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer or sponsor in some cases. If you have a work visa, you will also need an employment termination letter.

Submit your cancellation request via the MOI portal

1. Visit the official MOI Qatar service portal.

2. Register or log in using your Qatar ID.

3. Go to Residency.

4. Select Residency Termination. 

5. Fill out the form and attach supporting documents.

6. Pay a cancellation fee of QAR 20 for personal cancellation or QAR 50 for company cancellation.

Submit your cancellation request via Metrash

1. Log in to the Metrash app (available on Android and IOS)

2. Tap on Visa and choose Operations

3. Pick Cancel Visa.

4. Fill out the form.

5. Pay cancellation fees.

Submit the request offline

If you prefer to cancel your Qatar visa offline, visit the nearest Ministry of Interior (MOI) service center and submit the required documents to the officer. After paying the cancellation fees, the officer will process your request. If everything is in order, you'll receive a cancellation confirmation on the spot.

You can cancel your visa in any of the MOI service centers, including Al Khor Service Center, Dukhan Service Center, Mesaimeer Service Center, Wakrah Service Center, Souq Waqif Service Center, and others. 

Track your visa status

Once you file your request, you can follow up on the cancellation progress via the MOI tracking portal. Visit the website, fill in your application number, date, and the QID of the sponsor, then click Search to check your visa cancellation status update.

When approved, an official visa cancellation confirmation is released. It is recommended that you always have a copy of the cancellation confirmation, as you may need it when leaving the country or applying for a new visa.

Obtain an exit permit (if applicable)

Most workers in Qatar no longer need an exit permit to leave the country. However, employers are still allowed to choose up to 5% of their employees who will need to obtain a permit before leaving the country. These workers usually hold sensitive positions, so they won't be allowed to leave the country without approval.

 If you need it, inform your employer of your leave in advance (at least three days), file a written request, and make sure you have no outstanding financial or legal obligations that could delay the approval.

Some companies will apply for the permit on your behalf, while others may require you to apply independently. You'll submit a request via the Leave Notification Application Form on the MOI portal. You can also do it offline at the MOI center.

Exit permits are only valid for three days once they are issued. So, plan your travel accordingly.