Most of us are familiar with work visas or visit visas. These visas could be one of the ways that allowed us to get to Qatar.
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But did you know that there are other visas available in the country? You have other options to come here if you do not want to apply for a work or visit visa. Keep on reading to find out which one applies to you.
Visa Options
Newborn Visa
This visa is applicable for a newborn whose parents are residents of Qatar. If the infant is born in their home country and the family needs to go back to Qatar, they will apply for a newborn visa. The newborn will get the visa upon arrival in Qatar, the visa is valid for three months only. The period is enough to process a resident permit for the infant.
Parents will need to bring these documents as well:
- Valid passport for the infant
- Attested birth certificate of the baby
- Residence permit of both mother and father
Once the family is in Qatar, the parents have to start the process of applying for the residence permit of their newborn. Otherwise, they will incur a fine of QAR 10 for every day that they exceed the 3-month newborn visa validity.
Student Visa
If an applicant with no Resident Permit in Qatar, but was accepted in an educational institute, can apply for an educational residence visa. The application can be done online, through the university website where the student plans to enroll.
Present these documents when applying for the visa:
- Acceptance letter for the university/ college
- Proof of payment and financial sponsorship
- Police clearance certificate from the home country
- Medical clearance
- Photocopy of passport
Students should also carry a passport with at least 6 months of validity when they get to Qatar.
Investor Visa
This visa applies to individuals with business ventures in Qatar. This is valid for the long term, wherein the visa holder can reside in Qatar without a sponsor.
These are the requirements:
- Application form for Investor Visa (available at the Ministry of Interior website and must be translated into Arabic)
- Documents showing proof of ownership
- Valid passport (must have at least 6 months validity)
- Police clearance from the country of residence
- Authenticated medical records
This visa costs QR 200. Visa applications can be done at the MOI Service Centers in the country. there are also private consultancy firms that can assist in applying for an investor visa.
In addition, those who hold an investor visa can also get visas for family members. The visa costs QR 100. Family members will also need to fill out an investor visa application form and present all relevant documents. The police clearance is only applicable for 18 years old and above.
Real Estate Visa
This visa applies to investors in real estate and it is valid for five years. Holders of this type of visa can live in Qatar without sponsorship.
Requirements are as follows:
- Application form (available at the MOI website)
- Proof of ownership
- Valid passport (at least 6 months validity)
- Authenticated medical records
The investor visa costs QR 200. Just like with a real estate visa, the application can be done at any MOI service center or through private consultancy firms. Holders of investor visas can also get visas for their family members, as long as they present the required documents such as the investor visa application form and police clearance certificate for family members that are 18 years old and above.
Return Visa
There are various reasons for getting a return visa. The reasons are as follows:
- Residents who were away from Qatar for 6 months or more
- Residents who lost their passports while they are outside Qatar
- Visitors with Family Visit Visa who needs to leave the country but return while their visit visa is still valid
Applicants of the return visa can go to any MOI Service centers or use their Metrash2 app to start applying for the visa. If they are in Qatar, they can use the MOI e-services portal. The requirements will depend on the reason for applying.
Residents who stayed outside Qatar for 6 months:
- Application form found in MOI website (must be translated in Arabic)
- Photocopy of passport
- Sponsor’s ID or establishment card of the sponsor
Payment for return visa application is QR 500.
Lost passport
- Application found in MOI website (translated in Arabic)
- Certificate of lost passport (this certificate will be issued upon reporting of its loss)
- Photocopy of old passport (if available) and new passport
- Photocopy of sponsor’s ID or establishment card of sponsor
The payment for a visa is QR 200.
Exit and Re-entry of Family Visit Visa Holder
- Application form found in the MOI website (translated into Arabic)
- Photocopy of passport and visa
- Photocopy of sponsor’s ID or establishment card
The payment for a visa is QR 200.
What is the Difference Between a Visa and A Passport?
A passport refers to an official document that the government provides its citizen. This document is needed to travel outside the country. The passport contains information about the holder, such as the legal name, date of birth, and birthplace. To be allowed to travel outside the country, the passport should be valid for at least 6 months.
On the other hand, a visa is a document that a foreign government gives to a person of other nationality. Those who have a visa can legally enter the country that gave it. Visas can be given as single-entry or multiple entries. Some of the reasons for getting is a visa are to travel, do business, work, reside, or study in that country.
A person should have a valid passport before applying for a visa. When the visa for a particular country expires, you have to apply for it again if you intend to return.
However, some nationalities or destinations may not require a visa to be allowed entry. For instance, citizens of South East Asian countries can enter any country within South East Asia without a visa. Of course, their stay may only be valid for about a month.
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