Qatar ID Lost During Travel: What You Should Do (2024)

Doha Guides Team regularly reviews this article to ensure the content is up-to-date and accurate. The last editorial review and update were on 02 February 2024.

In June 2015, Qatar’s Ministry of Interior introduced new Residence Permit cards for expatriates, thereby abolishing the system of RP stickers in passports.

The Ministry said it had issued a circular to all concerned authorities worldwide and airlines that the ID card is the only supporting document for expatriates after cancelling the RP sticker on the passports.

The resident must show their Qatari ID card at all airports, platforms and airline desks to be allowed to travel to Qatar, where airline companies may check the validity and information in the cards through MOI’s website online.

In effect, the new Residence Permit cards (also called QID) are now acting as identity proof and a travel document for the expatriates.

With the new system, one problem many people face is losing their Residence Permit card while abroad.

Qatar ID Lost While Abroad: Two Solutions

A Qatar ID lost while abroad can be horrific for most people as they cannot return to Qatar without proof of Residence Permit. This article explains the possible solutions if you face such a situation.

Solution 1: Return Permit on arrival at Doha airport

According to a Facebook post by MoI, you can get a return permit (often referred to as a return visa or re-entry permit) at Doha airport without resorting to your employer. The conditions for this are:

  • Your Residence Permit should be valid at the time of entry
  • You shouldn’t have stayed out of Qatar for more than 6 months

In this case, you can get a Return Permit on arrival, and your Residence Card (Qatar ID) will be marked as lost in the immigration system. Later, your employer/sponsor can apply for the replacement of the Residence Card.

The problem with this approach

Even though this is a good solution by Qatar MoI, it does not address the requirements at the port of boarding. Airline or immigration authorities in your home country (or port of boarding) may not allow you to travel without a valid travel document.

Here is one alternative that has worked with some people:

If you have a photocopy of the Residence Permit card, you can file a report with the local Police (in your home country or wherever you lost it) saying that you have lost your Qatar Residence Permit card. The Police report along with a photocopy of the Residence Permit card may be enough to convince the airline/immigration authorities while boarding.

However, please note that this is only a possible alternative and may not be allowed in some airports. The best option will be to check with your airline in advance.

PLEASE NOTE: If the resident has exceeded six months’ stay outside the country, he will be required to get a Return Permit processed by his employer/sponsor to enter the country and the resident shall sign an undertaking not to repeat it (See Solution 2).

Qatar Residents ID Card Design

Solution 2: Return Permit processed by employer/sponsor

If you lose the Residence Card, the safest option will be to get a Return Permit processed by your employer or sponsor. Even though it is costly, it will guarantee you will not face any hassle during travel.

Return Permit is a temporary document with 14/30 days validity (the validity will be mentioned on the document). The sponsored person has to return to Qatar within the validity period. 

Return Permit can be issued even in cases where the person has stayed out for more than six months (provided that his Residence Permit is still valid).

Here is how your employer or sponsor can get the Return Permit:

For those on sponsorship of companies and establishments

This permit is granted to an expatriate on the sponsorship of an establishment whose residence permit is still valid.

The sponsor can apply online (Metrash 2) or through any MoI Service Center. 

On Metrash2, this option is available under: “Leave Notification” – “Return Permit”. Select Operation Type as “Lost ID within 6 months”. Pay the required fee (QR 200). You will receive the permit through email.

Below are the requirements to apply through MoI Service Center:

  • Submission of the application from the sponsor
  • Copy of the establishment card of the company
  • Passport copy of the sponsored person
  • In case of passport loss, a copy of a Lost Passport Certificate and copies of the old and new passports are required.
  • Credit/Debit card for fee payment

For those on personal sponsorship of an expatriate

This permit is granted to family members of an expatriate resident whose residence permit is still valid.

The sponsor can apply on Metrash2 or through any MoI Service Center. 

On Metrash2, this option is available under: “Leave Notification” – “Return Permit”

Below are the requirements to apply through MoI Service Center:

  • Submission of the application from the sponsor
  • Passport copy or the ID card copy of the sponsor
  • Passport copy of the sponsored person
  • In case of passport loss, a copy of a Lost Passport Certificate and copies of the old and new passports are required.
  • Credit/Debit card for fee payment

For those on personal sponsorship of a Qatari national

This permit is granted for housemaids and others on the personal sponsorship of a Qatari national.

The sponsor can apply on Metrash2 or through any MoI Service Center. 

On Metrash2, this option is available under: “Leave Notification” – “Return Permit”.

Below are the requirements to apply through MoI Service Center:

  • Submission of an application from the sponsor
  • Copy of the ID Card of the sponsor
  • Passport copy of the sponsored person
  • In case of passport loss, a copy of a Lost Passport Certificate and copies of the old and new passports are required.
  • Credit/Debit card for fee payment

Fee for Lost Qatar ID

  • If the person has stayed out for less than 6 months (and QID is lost), the fee will be QR 200.
  • If the person has stayed out for more than 6 months, the return permit fee is QR 500.

The permit should be sent to the resident abroad to allow him to enter the country. Once he arrives in Qatar, the resident must approach the Expatriates Affairs Department to complete the formalities for issuing a new ID.

NOTE:  If you lose your passport and get a return permit, your lost passport becomes invalid/blacklisted. You cannot use that passport in case you get it back.


FAQ on Qatar ID Lost During Travel


What is a Return Permit in Qatar?

Return Permit is a temporary document granted for those who have stayed out of the country more than 6 months and his/her residency is still valid.

What are the conditions to get Return Permit on arrival?

The conditions are that (a) your Residence Permit should be valid at the time of entry and
(b) you shouldn’t have stayed out of Qatar for more than 6 months.

What can I do if my Qatar ID is lost during travel?

If your Qatar ID is lost during travel, you can get a Return Permit processed by your employer or sponsor.

How much does Qatar Return Permit cost?

Qatar Return Permit fee varies from QR200 to QR500 depending on sponsorship type.


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  1. Hi, my QID has minor scratch on my photo, is there will be any issue while returning from vacation. Plz advice

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