Are you leaving Qatar for good? If you are a Residence Permit holder, it is very important for you to cancel your residency status and close all your existing accounts before leaving. You also will be advised to pay off fines or debts you may have during your stay in the country.
Ensuring that everything is cleared before leaving the country will spare you from further delays and having a bad record on the immigration system.
Exit permit is required before leaving Qatar ©Whity/Flickr
Cancellation of Visa
Based on Article 7 of Law No.21 of 2015, the law states that “The Foreign National laborer or the Recruiter must notify the Competent Authorities each time the Foreign National leaves the country, prior to his leaving by at least three days.”
This means that expats, workers or employees need to ask permission from their ‘recruiter’ (employer, head of household, or host who recruits them) before leaving the country. Once permitted, you need to process the cancellation of visa or as what they have in Qatar, an Exit Permit.
Process of Exit Permit
When leaving Qatar, all expats are required to obtain an exit permit. You have to note that the sponsor is responsible for arranging the exit permit of employees or family members that were sponsored in going to Qatar.
If you have access, you may complete the application online through MOI website, MOI self-service machine, or you may personally submit the application at the General Directorate for Borders Passports and Expatriates Affairs or at the immigration offices located near your area.
Submitted the Exit Permit application at the Borders Passports and Expatriate Affairs ©MOI Website
Whether online or in person, the following are the necessary steps in getting an exit permit as stated on the Ministry of Interior website:
A. Exit permits for those who are on company/Government entity sponsorship
- The sponsor shall fill in the application form for exit permit via MoI website and print it. Put authorized signature and stamp as in the establishment ID.
- The approved PRO shall bring the duly filled in application form along with the original passport of the employee and the original establishment ID.
B. Exit permits for those who are on personal sponsorship
- The sponsor shall fill in the application form for exit permit and sign it as given in the personal ID.
- The duly filled in application form along with the original passport of the employee and the original personal ID of the sponsor shall be presented.
Online application for Exit Permit can be done thru MOI self-service machine ©Hukoomi Portal
The cost for the single exit permit issuance shall be QR10. It is registered internally and you won’t be provided a copy, so it is advised that you have it photocopied or take a screenshot of the approved application.
Note: The exit permit is valid for seven days only.