This article is reviewed regularly by Wego‘s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.

Reviewed February 2024

Qatari expatriates and citizens stranded abroad can now apply for Qatar return permits. Once they meet the required entry criteria, the process of applying for and receiving approval to re-enter Qatar is relatively straightforward.

Read on as Wego gives you a breakdown of the return permits for residents outside of Qatar.

Table of Contents

Exceptional Entry Permit to Qatar

Please note: As per the latest announcement by the Qatari authorities, an exceptional entry permit is no longer required for residents with valid residency visas. Qatar residence visa holders who have spent more than 6 months outside of Qatar would need to obtain the exceptional entry permit as detailed below.

Residents who are currently in the State of Qatar and wish to travel and return will automatically receive an exceptional entry permit upon departure. The resident or their employer will be able to print out the exceptional entry permit from the website of the Ministry of Interior (MOI) at any point after the resident has departed Qatar. Such requests will no longer need to be submitted through the Qatar Portal.

The permit will be available automatically upon registration of the resident’s departure from Qatar.

How to get the automatic Exceptional Entry Permit?

head towards the Ministry of Interior’s official website
enter your QID number and residency expiry date
enter the verification code, then click on submit
select ‘Print Exceptional Return Permit’
enter your QID number, your residency/QID expiry date and the verification code. Then click ‘Print’
exceptional entry permit will automatically be generated for you to print

How much is the fee for Exceptional Entry Permit service?

You need not pay any fee to get the Exceptional Entry Permit.

How long is the Exceptional Entry Permit valid for?

The Exceptional Entry Permit to Qatar is valid for 30 days from its date of issue.

How to extend the validity of the Exceptional Entry Permit?

Holders of expired exceptional entry permits can extend the validity of their permits for a period of 30 days from the date of submitting the extension request. It is a condition that the previously approved permit be expired and that the owner of the permit must not be inside the country.

The permit can be extended by submitting an application on the Qatar portal here. You can track your application through the “My Applications” page at Qatar Portal. Alternatively, you may call the Government Contact Center on 109 inside Qatar or +974 44069999 outside the country.

Qatar return permit

The Qatar return permit enables residents who have lost and replaced their passports outside Qatar or exceeded the legal period of staying abroad (six months), to get a return permit to come back to the country.

Who needs to apply for a return permit?

The return permit is a temporary document which a validity period of only 14 or 30 days (validity will be mentioned on the permit) required by the following residents willing to return to Qatar.

Qatari residents who have lost and replaced their passports outside Qatar during their stay out of the country or exceeded the legal period of staying abroad (six months)
housemaids and those in their status who have stayed outside the country for more than six months
family members of the expatriates who have stayed outside the country for more than six months
residents on the sponsorship of their employers/companies who have stayed outside the country for more than six months

What are the required documents?

The documents required while applying for a return permit largely depend on the type of applicant.

applicant’s Qatar ID (QID) number
sponsor’s QID (if entering via sponsorship)
establishment ID (if employed by a company)

Applying via sponsorship

In addition to individually requesting a return permit, the following categories of people can apply for their permits only with the help of a sponsor.

Qatari Personal Sponsorship for Residents

this permit is given to the housemaids and those in their status who have stayed outside the country for more than six months
the sponsor must submit the application
attach a copy of the resident’s QID/passport
submit a copy of the sponsor’s QID

Expatriate Personal Sponsorship for Residents

this permit is issued for the family members of the expatriates who have stayed outside the country for more than six months, and their return permit is valid
the sponsor must submit the application
attach a passport copy of the sponsored person (resident) and the sponsoring person (expatriate) or his/her QID

Corporate Sponsorship for Residents

this permit is issued for residents on the sponsorship of their employers/companies who have stayed outside the country for more than six months, and their return permit is still valid
the employer must submit the application
attach a passport copy of the sponsored persons (residents) and the establishment ID card

How to apply for a return permit?

There are two methods using which you can submit your application for a return permit:

by submitting it online on the Ministry of Interior (MOI) website
by visiting any Ministry of Interior Service Centre

Applying online

If you would prefer to submit your request for the return permit online, please consult the following:

log in with your smartcard to the e-services portal of the Ministry of Interior (MOI)
select “Residence services” from the list, then click on “Issue Return Permit”
enter the expatriate’s QID number
enter return permit details and the reason for issuing it (Exceed 6 months, Lost passport, Damaged passport, Exceed and lost passport, Damaged / Lost ID card, Exceed Damaged/Lost ID card)
enter the remarks, if applicable and the email address
click on “Next” and pay the fees

Applying offline by visiting the Expatriates Affairs Department

Alternatively, head towards the Expatriates Affairs Department, which serves as the Ministry of Interior (MOI) Service Center.

fill out and submit the official letter form by the sponsor or employer
attach a copy of the Establishment ID if you’re employed by a company or QID if you’re on a personal sponsorship
attach a copy of the resident’s old passport, along with an official lost passport certificate from the country of issuance
pay appropriate fees

How much is the fee for a return permit?

The fee amount for a return permit depends on the purpose of re-entry and is listed as follows:

overstaying abroad for more than six months: QR 500
lost passport: QR 200
damaged passport: QR 200
exceed or Lost passport: QR 500
damaged or lost residency card: QR 200
exceed, damaged and lost residency card: QR 500

What to do if a request for an entry permit is rejected?

It is possible for the concerned authorities to reject the permit application if it does not meet the conditions and requirements for granting the permit. However, applicants who got their return permit requests rejected can re-apply again after fulfilling all the conditions that led to the rejection of the application.