Glossary
Terms, apps and systems that show up across our guides to Qatar government services, explained in plain language.
- QID (Qatar ID)
- The Qatar ID smart card every resident is issued after their residence permit is approved. It is the main identity document used across almost every other government service. More in our guide →
- Metrash
- The Ministry of Interior's mobile app, used for most MOI services: issuing or renewing a driving licence, residence permit requests, visas, and tracking applications. More in our guide →
- Hayya
- A permit/e-visa system for visitors entering Qatar, used to check visa-free eligibility or apply for an e-visa online before travel. More in our guide →
- Tawtheeq (National Authentication System)
- Qatar's single sign-on system for logging in to government e-services — the Single Window, Dhareeba, Metrash and others all use it rather than each having a separate login. More in our guide →
- Istimara (vehicle registration card)
- The vehicle registration card, renewed yearly alongside a technical inspection and valid insurance. More in our guide →
- Fahes
- Qatar's vehicle technical inspection stations, required as part of renewing a vehicle's Istimara. More in our guide →
- Dhareeba
- The General Tax Authority's online portal, used by businesses to register for a tax card and handle income tax, withholding tax and excise tax. More in our guide →
- Kahramaa
- Qatar's electricity and water utility — the body you register with to get power and water connected in your name, and pay bills to. More in our guide →
- Single Window
- The Ministry of Commerce and Industry's online platform for mainland company registration: reserving a trade name, getting a commercial registration and a commercial licence. More in our guide →
- CR (Commercial Registration)
- The commercial registration certificate every mainland company needs, issued through the Single Window and renewed periodically alongside the commercial licence. More in our guide →
- WPS (Wage Protection System)
- The system requiring employers to pay salaries through Qatari banks so payments can be monitored, with steps workers can take if pay is late. More in our guide →
- QFC (Qatar Financial Centre)
- An onshore business centre with its own legal, regulatory and tax framework, built mainly for financial-services firms but open to other specialist activities, as an alternative to mainland company registration. More in our guide →
- QFZ (Qatar Free Zones)
- Qatar's free zones, licensing and leasing space to companies in sectors like logistics, manufacturing and emerging technology, as another alternative to mainland registration. More in our guide →
- Hukoomi
- Qatar's main official government services portal, bringing together services and information from many different ministries and agencies in one place.
- Al Meezan
- Qatar's official legal portal, publishing the text of laws and regulations.