Shifting your visa in Qatar can be a perplexing experience, leaving you uncertain about the status of your approval. The lack of clarity in the procedure makes it difficult to strategize your career move effectively. Having access to both your existing visa and the new contract lets you ensure that your documents are being processed appropriately.
This guide offers practical strategies to enhance your understanding of the status of your visa transfer, reduce ambiguity, and tackle any hold-ups proactively. It details how you can utilize the resources provided by the Ministry of Interior to actively track your application, confirming its receipt and monitoring its advancement.
Qatar Visa Transfer Rules
Qatar enforces distinct rules for the transfer of employment visas. Given the frequent alterations in policies in recent times, grasping the latest visa transfer regulations is crucial for effectively managing your career shift.
Minimum Wage Requirements
As per the revised policies, visa transfers are required to comply with specified minimum wage requirements.
Monthly Basic Wage
- Your new employment contract in Qatar needs to have a base monthly salary of no less than 10,000 QAR. This rule of minimum wage is applicable across all job roles and industries.
- However, for specific occupations such as doctors and engineers, there might be a requirement for a higher monthly minimum salary, as per the policies of your new employer. It’s advisable to check with the HR department of your new company for particular salary criteria.
Additional Allowances
In addition to adhering to the minimum basic wage, your new employer in Qatar is obliged to offer the following compulsory allowances:
- A minimum accommodation allowance of 500 QAR per month.
- A minimum food allowance of 300 QAR per month.
Recent changes in regulations mandate these two allowances as essential components when transferring your visa. This requirement also extends to domestic workers, in addition to fulfilling the minimum wage criteria.
Transfer Process Without NOC
For workers engaged in indefinite-term contracts, obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for visa transfers becomes optional after a continuous employment period of five years with the same company. Before proceeding with a transfer application without an NOC, verify that your duration of service aligns with this criterion.
Open-Ended Contracts
For workers engaged in indefinite-term contracts, obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for visa transfers becomes optional after a continuous employment period of five years with the same company. Before proceeding with a transfer application without an NOC, verify that your duration of service aligns with this criterion.
Fixed-Term Contracts
For employees under fixed-term contracts, the No Objection Certificate (NOC) is not a requirement. Upon the completion of your fixed-duration employment contract, you are eligible to initiate the visa transfer process directly.
Mandatory Health Insurance
All expatriates applying for new or renewing residence permits in Qatar must have health insurance, as it is a mandatory requirement. This insurance covers crucial medical needs, including injuries and health conditions. It’s important to confirm that your new employer provides sufficient health insurance in accordance with the most recent regulations before starting your visa transfer process.
Extended Heat Protection
Regulations cap the maximum working hours in the summer months to mitigate heat stress. The yearly regulation for work hours during the hot season has been extended to cover a six-week period, from June 1 to August 31.
Improved Job Mobility
The easing of NOC (No Objection Certificate) rules has significantly enhanced the ability of employees to switch jobs and transfer visas with fewer hindrances. This development allows workers to smoothly transition to roles that are more in tune with their professional skills and career aspirations.
How to Transfer Your Qatar Visa Online
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The e-services portal of the Ministry of Interior (MOI) streamlines the process of transferring your Qatar residency visa to a new employer. This guide will walk you through a straightforward, step-by-step method to modify your visa status online with ease.
Step 1: Login to MOI Visa Services
- Visit the MOI website and select the “e-services portal” to reach the login screen
- Input your credentials to access your individual e-services account.
Step 2: Visit Visa Transfer
- Navigate to “Visa Services” on the menu bar from the homepage.
- Then, choose the “Extend Visa” option, which is the relevant section for conducting transfers.
Step 3: Enter Visa Details
- Type in your current employment visa’s 12-digit number in the field labeled “Current Visa Number.” Then,
- in the “New Visa Number” field, input the 12-digit number of the new employment visa that your new employer in Qatar has given you.
Step 4: Complete the Transfer Fee Payment
- Before moving forward, ensure that all the details you have entered are correct.
- Then, finalize the process by paying the transfer fee using your chosen online payment method.
- Remember to save and print out the receipt of the payment for your records.
Step 5: Receive Transfer Confirmation
- Once you complete the payment, you’ll get an online confirmation of your visa transfer
- application. Then, await the approval from the Ministry of Interior (MOI) and a subsequent SMS notification before proceeding to cancel your old visa.
How to Check Your Qatar Visa Transfer Status
Keeping track of your Qatar employment visa transfer status is crucial for effectively organizing your career change. By utilizing the MOI visa status portal, you can conveniently monitor the progress of your transfer:
Step 1: Visit MOI
Should it be required, go to the Ministry of Interior website and opt for the English language version.
Step 2: Navigate to the Visa Status Page
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- Choose “Visa Services” from the main menu
- ,and then click on the “Visa Inquiry & Printing” option in the sub-menu.
- This action will lead you to the page for checking visa status.
Step 3: Check Visa Status
- Select the option to input either your visa number or passport number.
- Use your old visa number for the visa option. If opting for passport details, enter the relevant information as per your passport.
- Then, pick your nationality from the provided drop-down menu.
- Enter the verification code shown on the screen
- and click “Submit” to check the status of your visa transfer.
Step 4: Understand the Transfer Status
- The displayed status will reflect the current phase of your visa transfer, typically showing either “in progress”
- or “application approved.” If the approval is still pending,
- it’s advisable to check back at regular intervals. Upon approval, you will have the option to download your new residence permit.
Tips for Smooth Qatar Visa Transfer
To prevent any issues during the process, it’s important to be meticulous when transferring your Qatari residence visa to a new employer. Here are several recommendations to facilitate a smooth transfer:
Closing Your Old Visa
For your transfer application, utilize the 12-digit number of the current visa you intend to cancel. This existing visa should be valid and in effect, not previously canceled. Additionally, it’s essential that you are physically in Qatar on the current visa at the time of the transfer.
Opening Your New Visa
Ensure that the new visa number you enter is printed, fully approved, and prepared for activation. It’s crucial to verify that all personal information, such as your name, nationality, date of birth, and so on, is consistent across both your old and new visa numbers. Any discrepancies in these details might cause delays or even result in the rejection of your transfer.
In-Country Transfer Requirement
Individuals holding a residency visa are required to remain in Qatar throughout the entirety of the visa transfer process. It is not possible to carry out visa transfers remotely if you are outside the country on a return visa.
FAQs
What details do I need to check my visa transfer status?
To proceed, you will require either the number of your previous Qatar visa (the one you are canceling) or the passport number utilized for the new visa application. Additionally, your nationality is necessary. These pieces of information are essential to access your status.
How long does it take to process a visa transfer in Qatar
The primary statuses for your application are as follows:
- Received: This indicates that your transfer request has been received and is currently under processing.
- Approved: This status signifies that your visa transfer has been successfully completed, and your new visa is now active.
- Rejected: This means your transfer application has been declined due to specific, justifiable reasons.
How soon can I travel after my visa transfer is approved
Once your visa transfer approval is finalized, you are free to travel internationally from and to Qatar. Ensure that you obtain a copy of your new residence permit for this purpose.
Conclusion
The process of transferring your employment visa is an essential aspect of changing jobs in Qatar. Although this process demands strict compliance with established procedures, the ability to independently track the status of your application is extremely beneficial.
By making use of the web services provided by the Ministry of Interior, you gain the ability to manage your visa alteration process autonomously. Consistently monitoring your application can alleviate uncertainties and enables you to tackle any processing delays head-on. Adopting a proactive stance ensures the smooth progression of your visa transfer, paving the way for a seamless transition to your new career opportunity in Qatar.
