How to Get Qatar Return Permit (2024 Guide)

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 16 January 2024.

What Is Qatar Return Permit?

A Return Permit (also called a re-entry permit) is a temporary document granted for those who have stayed out of the country for more than six (6) months, and his/her residency is still valid and has the prior approval of entry.

This document can also be used if the resident loses their passport or Residence Card while outside Qatar.

This article explains how residents can apply for Qatar Return Permit if they overstay outside Qatar (staying out for more than six months) or lose their Qatar ID while abroad.

How Many Days Can I Stay Outside Qatar?

You can stay up to 180 days (6 months) out of Qatar with a valid Residence Permit. To return after six months, you will need a Return Permit (re-entry permit) processed by the sponsor.

Return Permit For Residents Outside Qatar

If you, a member of your family, or a member of your staff, have stayed out of the country for more than six (6) months and the residency is still valid, and you have prior approval of entry, you can apply for a Return Permit.

Different document requirements depend on who the sponsor is. The fee varies from QR 200 to QR 500 again, depending on the sponsorship type. Here are the details:

1. For those on sponsorship of companies and establishments

This permit is granted to an expatriate on the sponsorship of an establishment who has stayed out of the country for more than 6 months, and his residence permit is still valid.

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

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

Below are the requirements to apply through MoI Service Center:

Requirements:

  • 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 is required.
  • Fee: QR 500 (Pay by credit/debit card)

2. For those on personal sponsorship of an expatriate

This permit is granted to family members of residents who have stayed out of the country for more than 6 months and whose residence permit is still valid.

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

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

Below are the requirements to apply through MoI Service Center:

Requirements:

  • 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 is required.
  • Fee: QR 500 (Pay by credit/debit card)

3. For those on personal sponsorship of a Qatari national

This permit is granted for housemaids and those on their status who are on the personal sponsorship of a Qatari national and have stayed outside the country for more than 6 months.

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

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

Below are the requirements to apply through MoI Service Center:

Requirements:

  • 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.
  • Fee: QR 200 (Pay by credit/debit card)

Important Notes

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.

The return permit has a validity period which will be mentioned on the permit. The sponsored person has to return to Qatar within the validity period.


FAQ on Qatar Return Permit


When is a Return Permit needed in Qatar?

If you, a member of your family, or a member of your staff, have stayed out of the country for more than 6 months and the residency is still valid, you can apply for a Return Permit.

How can I apply for Return Permit to Qatar?

The sponsor has to apply for Return Permit online via Metrash2 or by visiting any Ministry of Interior Service Centre.

How much does Qatar Return Permit cost?

A Qatar Return Permit can cost QR 500 (for company / personal sponsorship) or QR 200 (for housemaids).

How long is Qatar Return Permit valid?

The validity will be mentioned on the permit.

How long can I stay out of Qatar with Residence Permit?

You can stay up to six months out of Qatar with a valid Residence Permit. After six months, you can stay up to one year and return using a Return Permit. The QID should be valid during this period.

Can I go back to Qatar after 6 months?

A resident can go back to Qatar even after six months but will need a Return Permit processed by the sponsor. The Residence Permit should also be valid.


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  1. 6 months with legally and then again 1 year with return permit. that means all together we can stay out 1 year and 6 months?

  2. Hello,
    Can I apply for return permit outside Qatar for my childs?
    My children’s are still having valid QID , once they return back to Qatar with return permit, Can I renew their IDs for 3.years ?

    Thanks.

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Suphannee, This option is available on Metrash under “Leave Notification” –> “Return Permit”. Note that this will work only if the child left within the last one year (and 6 months have passed). Once the child enters Qatar you can renew QID for 3 years (by visiting any MOI Service Center).

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Sukavi, You can see the validity on the permit itself. It will vary depending on the validity remaining on the QID. In some cases, we see only 14 or 30 days, while in some cases we see up to the end date of QID validity. The best option is to apply when you are ready to travel within 2 weeks.

  3. Good Evening Sir i have a question to ask …….My wife visa kadama qatary house work now she went vacation her QID expires on January 11 2024 we were waiting for QID to expire to apply for another visa is it possible

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi JayRama, QID should be cancelled by her sponsor before you can apply for another visa. Expiry of QID does not mean she can get a new visa.
      If she is on a housemaid visa she may also need NOC from the sponsor (in some cases). Please check this with a typing center.

  4. Family member (SON)
    Is out of QATAR FOR 1 year(365)+ days
    But still his QID doesn’t expires,has 3 months more to expired
    He can able to enter through Return permit?

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Iqbal, Usually it won’t be possible after 365 days. You can try applying for a return permit on Metrash. The next option is to visit any MOI Service Center and request the Captain. If nothing works, you will have to apply for a new RP.

  5. Hi, my daughters QID Expired on Dec 20. I got her return resident permit approved until Feb 18. Will she be able to enter Qatar with this valid return resident permit MOI has approved? Thanks

  6. Hi, My wife is outside Qatar and her ID expires in February 24 but she won’t be able to travel back in Qatar till March 24. Can I ask for her return permit to return after ID expires ( in March 24)
    Alex

  7. My Family’s QID is Valid till September 2024.
    what if I renew their QID for 1 more year say until September 2025.
    And I pay for their return permit as they will be staying out I Qatar for more than 6 months (Leaving Qatar in December 2023) and want to come back in October/November 2024.

    would that work?

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Vatsal, That should be fine. Just make sure you apply for return permit before one year of leaving Qatar.

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Ali, Return permit for Family Visit Visa is different. It is an entry permit for someone who leaves the country before their visit visa expires. If they have a return permit they can come back on the same visa, but validity will not be extended.

  8. Hello DG Team – I got approval of family RP for my wife but now she in Qatar under Hayya visa so can i apply for medical & fingerprint process without exit & re-entry.

  9. Hi , my wife and son were left qatar on 2nd june 23 and plan to return on 15 December 23..can they return Qatar without issue? Or need to apply any permit

  10. Hi there,
    My QID expired 2 weeks ago while i was out of Qatar but i was in qatar 2.months back, do i need an entry permit because my sponsor has disappeared and is not responding, what can i do in this case?

  11. HI DG team,
    my family’s return date to qatar will be exactly on day number 180 since leaving qatar. all their RP’s are valid for another year+.
    do i need to apply for re-entry permit or is it only for staying outside of Qatar for MORE THAN 180 days i.e. 181 days +…..

    Thanks

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