Can I Apply Again If My Qatar Visa Is Cancelled?

If your Qatar visa has been cancelled or rejected, you may wonder if you can reapply and what the process entails. Re-applying for a Qatar visa depends on the cancellation reason, whether you meet the new visa requirements, and whether you have any outstanding obligations. In this guide, we’ll explain what factors affect your chances of reapplying successfully and how to prepare for your next application.

Residency Permit (RP) allows you to reside in Qatar for a specified period, typically one to three years, for work, business, or family-related reasons. The Qatar ID (QID) is a separate, laminated card that verifies your identity and legal residency in Qatar. You can only obtain a QID after obtaining an RP and will need the card to open a bank account or apply for a driver’s license. Among other details, the QID card will include the expiry date of your residency. 

An expired RP is one of the most common reasons for visa cancellation in Qatar. Keep a close eye on yours and renew well ahead of time. 

So, your Qatari visa is officially cancelled. Does that mean you should pack up your belongings and head to the airport immediately? 

Relax. Expatriates working in Qatar are entitled to a 30-day grace period from the date of their visa cancellation. A 90-day grace period applies should their residence permit expire. But after the grace period ends, you will receive a fine of 200 QAR per day for overstaying a cancelled RP, or 10 QAR per day for overstaying an expired RP. These fines add up quickly, so don’t delay. You can just apply online for a new visa during the grace period without exiting the country. Start the process early because bureaucracy can move slowly.

There are numerous reasons an expat may wish to cancel their visa and apply for a new one: 

• Visa Expiry: When a visa is due to expire, the worker must apply for a renewal.

• Changing jobs: The visa holder may have started a new role at a different company and requires a new sponsorship.

• Changing visa types: Switching from a family visa to an employment visa, or vice versa.  

• Temporary relocations: For those who move to another country and then return to work in Qatar. 

• New Passports: If a visa is linked to an expired passport, and the applicant renews their passport, they may also need to renew their visa. 

Mistakes: Errors, such as a misspelled name, may nullify the visa.

Once your visa has been cancelled, you can apply for one of the following entry visa types. 

Regardless of the visa type, mandatory health insurance is a legal requirement to enter Qatar. 

While the process depends on the visa type, you can expect the following steps: 

1. Gathering documents: Compile the required documentation, including a passport photocopy, passport-sized photos, an invitation letter, and sponsorship details.

2. Submitting the application: Submit documents through the Ministry of Interior (MOI) website if your sponsor has not submitted them through a local immigration office.

3. Fees and processing: Pay the relevant processing fee and wait for the stipulated processing time. Most visas are processed within three business days.  

4. Wait for approval: The MOI will send an email of acceptance or rejection. You can review visa status messages on the MOI Portal. 

If you’re in Qatar for work, your employer or Qatari-based sponsor will do most of the required paperwork for you. However, you still need to submit some documentation, so double-check everything you submit is correct. Even a minor error could lead to a visa rejection. 

Expats residing in Qatar can’t just pack up and leave on a whim. The Qatar visa cancellation process involves input from various stakeholders, including the visa holder, employer, and, in some cases, family members. 

For an employment visa, the employer is responsible for canceling the visa and applying for a new one. Nonetheless, when leaving Qatar, the visa holder must settle all financial and legal obligations, including outstanding bank loans, and obtain a Qatar exit permit from the Ministry of Interior. Residents will need to close bank accounts and transfer sponsorships. The MOI also obliges visa-holders to settle unpaid traffic fines or other outstanding debts before leaving.