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. Hi,

    My wife and kids have QID valid until 2024 under my sponsorship. However, they have been out of country for more than 13 months now. Can i get return permit for overstay more than 180 days with QAR 500 penalty for each dependent?

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Saleem, You can try that. Earlier there was a limit of 12 months. We are not sure if that limit still exists. Please try and share your experience here so that it will help others.

  2. Good Day,

    I had change my nationality and replace my passport from Malaysia to Singapore.

    My QID/RP is still valid but it is under Malaysia Passport on which already cancelled.

    Can I ask my employer to apply a re-entry permit so that I can I can enter Qatar using my Singapore passport?

    Thank You very much.

    Best Regards,
    Neil Louie

  3. How long can stay out of Qatar with RP,
    your answer stated above that the person can stay upto 1 year with return permit, so total ca stay 6 + 12 months ???
    kindly please clarify,.

  4. Hi doha guide,
    My wife outside qatar for more than 6 months, she renew her passport add details not lost. So how we need to proceed while applying for return permit?thanks in advance

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Jayanth, Apply for a return permit with details on her Qatar ID. While travelling, make sure to carry both passports.

  5. Hi,
    My daughter has a valid residence permit until December 2025 and currently she’s out of Doha for studies in Philippines since August 2022. What are the precautionary measures to take to avoid any problems in the future?

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Sharon, If she can visit every six months, she won’t need a return permit. Or else she can enter by applying for a return permit. Try to enter at least once in 365 days.

  6. Sir I was serving in Qatar navy due to my home emergency and myself sickness I am not come back and now I over leave about 9 months now I want to join my service for this purpose I send e mail but not reply to me.pls guide me

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Jose, Your sponsor needs to check with MOI. There may be an additional fee for renewing your residence. Also it depends on type of visa and when the QID was expired.

  7. Rasmea Mandaogan Casindilan

    Asalamu alaykom sir/ ma’am! I’m contract finish from my employer in doha. I was travel come home my country last June 5,2021.im already 1yr staying my country Philippines. The thing I want again work in Qatar because I like Qatar to work,my heart feel free there to work. Just wanna ask is possible I can come qatar again for work? Am I need NOC to enter again in Qatar? Or else am I need re-entry permit to enter Qatar for work? How can I get Re-entry Permit? While I’m in Philippines? Waiting your reply,thanks!

  8. Hi guys,

    My family have valid QID’s but have been out of the country for longer than 6 months. Would I need to pay the ‘Qatar return permit visa’ for my spouse or does it include the children also (all under 12)?

  9. ANEESUDDIN MIAN

    I have my resident permit (RP) allocated to me by my property developer because I own a property in the Pearl, Doha, Qatar.
    My RP expired in December 2020 and I could not go back to Qatar because of the Covid and its travel restrictions.
    Now I am planning to go to Qatar on 28th June 2022 but my RP is expired. Do I need a return permit and how can I get it?

  10. Hi, I have a query
    How long it takes to get a return permit after applying in metrash & normally how many days return permit is valid. i have doubt for this, it is showing 14 or 30 days. is it 14 days or 30 days.
    i am sponsor myself for the family
    Thanks

      1. Doha Guides Team

        Hi Satheesh, If applying on Metrash, the permit is issued immediately. The validity will be either 14 or 30 days (we have seen both). Validity would be mentioned on the permit.

  11. Hi i have a question, im out from qatar 3 years from now for vacation, and now i find i new company, but in my passport showed that i cannot enter ng qatar with my passports, is there any way to get back to qatar with new employer?

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Adnan, You have to come within 180 days and your RP needs to be valid. Or else your sponsor has to apply for Return Permit.

  12. Dear Everyone,
    I’m out of Qatar march 2020, 2 years now for vacation but my company is not helping me for return permit.
    How can I get return permit,
    How can I cancel my visa to get new visa to return back

      1. Hello Dohaguides, it’s great to know about your updates, they are enlightening!
        Kindly clarify:
        1) when the notice period will start: from the day I give my current employer my 2 months notice OR from the day I applied ADLSA for change of employer if there’s new job offer?
        2) Can I change employer or apply new job if my 2months notice period has already expired?
        I’ll be happy to hear you. Thanks!

        1. Thank you Racso, (1) The notice period start and end dates will be mentioned in the SMS you receive from ADLSA. (2) For the Change of Employer option, you should already have another job offer. If you are resigning (Leave Country option), your visa will be cancelled and you can come back on a new visa and work for another employer.

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