Getting your residence permit and Qatar ID after you arrive to work

Who this is for

This is for expatriates who have just entered Qatar on a work (residence) visa number and do not yet have a Qatar ID number. If you already had a Qatar ID in the past, the same service is used to reactivate your old residence permit. It does not cover tourist or visit visas, family residence for dependants, or renewing a permit you already hold.

Before you start

• You are physically inside Qatar and your entry visa is still valid.
• Your passport, and the visa number printed on your entry visa.
• A letter from your employer stating the job you were hired for. The Medical Commission asks for it.
• A recent personal photo and an active mobile phone number for the medical examination form.
• Your employer's contact person (often the HR or PRO team), because the employer usually submits the residence permit request for you.

Steps

1. Check who handles the paperwork

   In most cases your employer manages the residence permit process for you. Ask them who your contact is and which appointments they will book on your behalf.

2. Do the medical examination

   Go to the Medical Commission of the Ministry of Public Health for your medical check. The Ministry of Interior says this must be done within 30 days of entering Qatar on a residence visa. You or your employer can book an appointment online first. Bring your passport, the employer letter, the printed form and a photo.

3. Give your fingerprints

   After the medical examination is complete, your fingerprints are taken by the Ministry of Interior. If you held a Qatar ID before, your fingerprint is also used to link your new visa to your old record.

4. Submit the residence permit request

   Your sponsor (the employer, or an authorised person for a company) logs in to the Ministry of Interior e-services portal with a smart card and chooses "Issue/Reactivate RP by Visa Number". They enter the visa number, your personal details and address, and the residence period, then pay the fees.

5. Track the application

   You can check the approval status online with the visa number and the ID number of the sponsor or authorised signatory. If the request needs special approval (for example because of a passport, fingerprint or medical issue), it can be sent for review through the Metrash app.

6. Receive your Qatar ID

   When approved, the card is delivered by Qatar Post or collected in person, depending on the option chosen. For companies, the card is delivered by Qatar Post. Once you have it, keep it with you and use its number for other government services.

Good to know

• Do not leave Qatar while your visa is being converted into a residence permit. Hukoomi says applicants may not travel during this period.
• Keep an eye on the 30-day window for the medical examination. Missing it can delay your permit.
• Your Qatar ID unlocks many other services, such as signing a rental contract, applying for a loan and logging in to the Metrash app.
• Once you hold a work residence permit, you may be able to sponsor your spouse and children. That is a separate process.
• Check that the name and passport details on your card match your passport exactly. Ask your employer to correct any mistake quickly.