Immigration Pathways

Qatar is home to over 2.5 million foreign residents who make up approximately 85% of the total population. Immigration is governed by Law No. 21 of 2015 on the Entry, Exit, and Residence of Foreign Nationals, which replaced the older kafala-heavy framework. The primary immigration authority is the Ministry of Interior (MOI), which handles all visa and residency matters through its online portal Metrash2 (available as a mobile app).

Qatar has undertaken significant labour and immigration reforms, particularly around the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Workers can now change employers without a No Objection Certificate (NOC), the exit permit requirement has been eliminated for most workers, and a non-discriminatory minimum wage of QAR 1,000/month (plus QAR 300 for food and QAR 500 for housing if not provided) applies to all nationalities. The Permanent Residency Card system (Law No. 13 of 2018) allows certain long-term residents and children of Qatari mothers to obtain permanent residence.

All foreign residents must hold a valid Qatar ID (QID) — a smart card that serves as your primary identification. Key platforms include Metrash2 (visa applications, renewals, and status checks), the Ministry of Labour (MOL) portal for work permits, and the Hukoomi government services portal (hukoomi.gov.qa).