When you’re planning to have your family visit you in Qatar, it’s important to understand how to apply for a family visit visa. Qatar, a thriving Middle Eastern nation, welcomes visitors and offers residents the opportunity to reunite with family members. This guide will provide you with a step-by-step explanation of what you need to do to apply for a Qatari family visit visa.
What is Qatar Family Visit Visa?
A Qatar Family Visit Visa is a type of short-term visa that allows expatriates to visit their spouses, children, parents, and other relatives in Qatar for short periods. Visas are usually issued for one month, with the option of extending them for up to five months.
The Qatar Family Visit Visa requirements, documents, application process, cost, and other details are explained in this article.
Please Note: This visa is only for visiting purposes. The following procedure should be followed by foreign employees who wish to sponsor their families to live in Qatar long-term: Family Family Visa (Residence) Procedure.
Health Insurance For Qatar Family Visit Visa
Family Visit Visas now require health insurance. The link to purchase health insurance online will be sent to you by SMS once your visa is approved.
Any of the registered insurance companies listed on the MOPH website can provide health insurance for QAR 50 per month.
Attestation For Marriage Certificate
A marriage certificate was not required to apply for a visitor visa for spouses until recently. A marriage certificate must now be attested nowadays.
During the application process for a Family Visit Visa, children’s birth certificates are not required to be attested. A Family Residence Visa is mandatory.
Qatar Family Visit Visa Requirements
Expatriate residents can obtain a family visit visa in Qatar if their salary meets the minimum requirements as well as their level of professional experience.
Minimum Salary For Qatar Family Visit Visa
A family visitor visa in Qatar requires a minimum income of QR 5,000 per month for spouses and children.
Applicants must earn at least QR 10,000 a month to qualify for Family Visit Visas.
The minimum salary requirement for a family visit visa is 5,000 rupees for the spouse and children and 10,000 rupees for other relatives
| Visa Type | Minimum Salary Required |
|---|---|
| Family Visit Visa – Spouse and Children | QR 5,000 |
| Family Visit Visa – Other Relatives | QR 10,000 |
For a Qatar family visit visa, a minimum salary is required
Profession Requirement for Qatar Family Visit Visa
Family visit visas are available to most expatriates with the required minimum salary. If the applicant’s Qatar ID shows a labor-type profession, some applications may be rejected.
If an application is rejected due to an ineligible profession, the Captain at the MOI Service Center can change it.
Family Members That Can Be Hosted
- First Degree: Wife, Children, Father, Mother
- Second Degree: Brother, Sister, Grandfather, Grandmother, and Grandchildren
- Third Degree: Children of brothers and sisters, paternal uncles and aunts (brothers and sisters of fathers), maternal uncles and aunts (sisters and brothers of mothers).
Documents Required for Qatar Family Visit Visa
If applying for a visit visa for wife and children
The following documents should be uploaded when applying through Metrash:
- Passport copy (valid for 6 months minimum)
- A marriage certificate for the wife / a birth certificate for the children is proof of the relationship
- Flight tickets for round-trip travel
If applying for a visit visa for other relatives
Sponsorships of other relatives can only be applied for by expatriates married with family in Qatar.
Metrash requires the following documents to be uploaded:
- Passport copy of the visitor (valid for a minimum of six months)
- Relationship proof (Birth certificate, passport, etc.
- Ticket for a round-trip flight.
Qatar Family Visit Visa Application
The traditional way to apply for a family visit visa was to go to a Ministry of Interior (MoI) Service Center and submit copies of the required documents along with the printed application.
Qatar launched an online system to apply for family visit visas through its Metrash2 mobile app in 2018.
The service allows you to upload all the required documents in the fields specified. Upon approval, you can track the application status and pay the fees electronically.
How To Apply For Qatar Family Visit Visa Online
Here are the steps for applying for a Qatar Family Visit Visa through the Metrash mobile app.
Step 1. Get the Metrash2 app and log in with your mobile device.
Metrash2 has a comprehensive user guide if you haven’t already registered. See our Metrash2 User Guide.
Step 2: Select the “Visa” icon.
Step 3: Tap on the “Issue Visa” option.
Step 4: Choose the “Family Visit” icon.
Step 5: Ensure you select “Family Visa Application” (not “Family Resident Application”).
Step 6: Click on “New Application” to start your family visit visa application.
Step 7: Enter the visitor’s details, including Gender, Relation, Nationality, Date of Birth, and Passport Information.
Step 8: Tap the “Validate” button to proceed.
Step 9: Upload the necessary photos and scans. Documents should be clear and readable:
- If a document has multiple pages, combine them into a single JPG file.
- For passports, ensure both the photo and bio pages are uploaded together.
- For “Marriage Certificate (Others),” upload the attested backside.
- If requested, upload a birth certificate or another document verifying your relationship with the visitor.
Step 10: Wait for an application update.
You’ll be notified if any documents are missing or mismatched. After all documents are approved, an application number will be issued. The status will change between “Under Process” and “Under Review” until final approval.
Step 11: Pay the visa fee.
Once approved, pay the visa fee (QR 200) online through the “Visa Fees Payment” option on the “Visa Operation” page.
Step 12: Purchase health insurance.
From April 2023, health insurance is mandatory after visa approval. Once your visa is approved, you’ll receive a message to complete this step. Enter your visa number when buying insurance to update it in Metrash, allowing you to print the visa after the insurance is confirmed.
After this, the visa copy can be downloaded and sent to the visitor.
How To Check the Status of Qatar Family Visit Visa
You can see the status on your Metrash app itself.
Check the status of your family visit visa on the Ministry of Interior website under Inquiries >> Visa Services >> Visa Approval Tracking (link).
The application number and date must be entered, or the sponsor’s QID number must be entered. Check your visa status by filling in all the required details.
Applying Qatar Family Visit Visa Offline
Family visit visas cannot be applied for offline anymore by the Ministry of Interior (MOI). Metrash is a mobile app that you must use to apply.
Qatar Family Visit Visa Rejected
You may be rejected for a family visit visa for several reasons. The most common cause is that the documents submitted are incorrect or insufficient.
In the case of a marriage certificate, if the document photo is unclear or not attested, you can do the attestation and resubmit. Understanding the reason and fixing it is crucial before applying again.
Qatar residents can also have their applications rejected if they do not meet the salary or professional requirements. There would be a great deal of difficulty in reapplying if the application is rejected because the applicant does not meet the salary requirement.
Captain at the Immigration Office in Duhail could be contacted for reconsideration if you were rejected based on your profession. In some cases, he would approve if the profession was acceptable.
How To Cancel Visa Application In Metrash
Click the right arrow on the status page to cancel your application if it is still under review. Any MOI Service Center will be able to assist you if this option is not available.
Document Checklist for Qatar Family Visit Visa Travellers
- (Passport must be valid for at least six months)
- Printout of the visa
- Flight tickets for two directions
- Insurance for healthcare
How To Extend Qatar Family Visit Visa
For the sponsor to avoid any penalties, he or she must extend the initial visa within the first month as it is only valid for one month.
The medical tests must be completed within a few days for relatives wishing to stay beyond one month.
By visiting any MOI service center or using the Metrash mobile app (Visa -> Visa Services -> Extend Visa), visitors can extend their visit visa once the medical examination has been passed.
Qatar Family Visit Visa Price
The fee for the Qatari Family Visit Visa is QAR 200 for a period of 30 days. Payment of QAR 200 per month is required to extend the entry visa.
- Medical check-up: For visa extensions, $100 in Qatar is required for a medical check-up.
- Fine for overstaying: Every day you stay beyond the allowed time is fined QR 200.
Qatar Family Visit Visa Validity
Qatar Family Visit Visa is initially issued for a period of one month (30 days). Once the visitor enters Qatar and undergoes a medical test, the visa can be extended by five months for spouses and children (a total of 180 days) and by two months for other relatives (a total 90 days).
The additional period requires the purchase of health insurance.
Depending on the current rules, an extension beyond 90 days is not guaranteed. Please confirm with the Immigration Department before purchasing additional insurance if you plan to extend for five more months (after one month).
Number of Days To Enter Qatar After Visa Approval
Once the visa has been approved, it will include the “valid until” date. The entry deadline is here (not the departure deadline). Visas are currently valid for 90 days after approval. There will be no more use of this visa after this date.
Other Points To Note
In the case of a return ticket after 30 days, some airlines may not allow visitors to board the flight since the initial visa only lasts for 30 days. Make sure you book a flight ticket that can be amended with a minimum change fee. When the visitor reaches Qatar, the tickets can be modified.
This is an online visa, so some airlines may require an “OK to Board” status before departure. The airline’s Doha office can provide you with this documentation.
“Null” Status on Visit Visa Application Receipt
Many of our readers have reported that the receipt they receive after submitting an application shows a “null” in most fields.
This is a normal process for all applicants. Your application has been acknowledged with this document. Your application details will be in the system.
Visit Visa Application “Under Process” and “Under Review” Status
Changes to the status of an applicant’s visit visa application are often confusing to applicants. The status of each visit visa application may change multiple times, from “Under Process” to “Under Review”.
Changing your application status between these two does not require any action on your part. Status changes usually result in approval within days.
Qatar Family Visit Visa Approval Time
It will take an average of 1-4 weeks to receive approval for a Family Visit Visa as of 2024. Application processing may not be based on first-come, first-served, and may be carried out in batches.
Qatar Family Visit Visa is Single Entry or Multiple
The Qatar Family Visit Visa is generally issued as a single-entry visa. This visa allows foreign nationals to visit their family members residing in Qatar for a limited period, typically up to one month, with the option to extend it up to six months, depending on the visitor’s nationality and approval from authorities.
If you’re looking for a multiple-entry visa, Qatar also offers other visa types, such as the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, which is different from the family visit visa and allows multiple entries over a specified period.
For family visit visas, extensions beyond one month may require additional paperwork and approval from the Ministry of Interior in Qatar. Always verify with the latest regulations from official sources or Qatar’s Ministry of Interior for up-to-date details.
Qatar Family Visit Visa Age Limit
Qatar family visit visas do not have an age limit, but applicants over 60 are checked for eligibility before a visa is issued, and the Metrash2 app does not accept their application.
Qatar Family Visit Visa Latest News
Families visiting with children are currently required to submit CEIDs as well for adults. The next step is to obtain the visa number. Application status will be “Under Process” on Metrash with the visa number. Typically, this takes 1-2 weeks.
Family Visit Visa applications have been accepted for visitors aged 60 and over since September 2023. The visa numbers of many recent applicants have already been sent.
Spouses and children may also apply for visa extensions of up to six months.
Online applications for family visit visas can be submitted through the Metrash app.
The new Immigration office at Al Duhail now allows expatriates to make changes to their Visit Visa applications or Family RP applications. There may, however, be a restriction on follow-up visits. Your car can be parked in the basement and you can proceed to the first floor from there.
04 December 2023 Update
According to the Ministry of Interior, the following criteria are required for the Family Visit Visa:
1. A minimum salary of QR 5000 is required for applicants.
2. You must be in a non-labor profession.
3 The applicant should live in an accredited family accommodation.
4. Visitors must be insured for health care.
5. The visitor must be related to the applicant within the degree of relationship allowed.
Please note: that the information provided above is not based on any official announcement, but rather on the experiences of applicants who visited MOI Centers recently. The outcome of an individual may vary according to a variety of factors.
FAQs About Qatar Family Visit Visa
Q1) What is the salary requirement for a family visit visa in Qatar?
Ans:- The minimum salary for your spouse and children is QR 5,000; the minimum salary for other relatives is QR 10,000.
Q2) What is the cost of a family visit visa in Qatar?
Ans:- The monthly cost of a Qatar family visit visa is QAR 200 (USD 55).
Q3) How can I apply for a family visit visa in Qatar via Metrash?
Ans:- A family visit visa can be applied for online by filling out the visitor’s details and attaching document scans or photos. This page contains step-by-step instructions.
Q4) How can I extend my Qatar family visit visa?
Ans:- After a medical examination, you can extend your one-month visa. Renewal fees of QAR 200 per month are charged for each additional month.
Conclusion
Qatar Family Visit Visa requires careful adherence to requirements, including income thresholds, documentation, and health insurance. By following the step-by-step online application process and ensuring all criteria are met, expatriates can facilitate a smooth entry and stay for their family members.
This visa offers a valuable opportunity for families to reunite in Qatar, fostering cherished connections and easing the expatriate experience.