In an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a significant number of countries in the world including Qatar have travel restrictions in place. Due to this current situation, a lot of questions have arisen regarding the renewal of visas or Residence Permits (RP). If you are seeking to extend your visit visa or if you are a valid QID holer and stuck outside of the country, scroll all the way down to find out the answers to the questions related to the renewal of visas or RP.

Visa extension for visitors

Q: I am staying here on a visitor visa, can I get an extension?

A: There are three types of visas, a visa you can get on arrival, a business / standard tourist visa, and special / family visit visa.

• For those that have a visa on arrival, their visa's will be extended automatically and for free until the 22nd of April 2020. This might be extended depending on the situation and based on an announcement that will be made in the future.
• Both on-arrival and visit visas can be extended for one month after the expiration date electronically through MOI Website or Metrash2 without visiting the General Directorate of Passports or MOI Service Centres. Typically for people to extend their visa (or to check it's status) you should follow this link to renew your visa: https://portal.moi.gov.qa/visitvisaextension

Both on-arrival and visit visas can be extended for one month after the expiration date electronically through MOI Website or #Metrash2 without visiting the General Directorate of Passports or MOI Service Centres. #MoIQatar #Qatar #Doha #YourSafetyIsMySafety #Covid19 pic.twitter.com/I6fBXhH6Tq

— Ministry of Interior (@MOI_QatarEn) March 26, 2020

Q: so what about the business visa?

For those with a business / standard tourist visa (not from a country eligible for visa on arrival), a request has to be made for the extension by the sponsor or travel agency. Make sure to include with the request, a copy of the passport, company CR, and a letter of request.

Residents who are outside of Qatar

Q: What about the expired QID holders who are temporarily restricted to enter due to coronavirus situation?

The expatriates who are unable to enter Qatar over coronavirus issues will be allowed into the country once the entry ban is lifted even if their Qatar IDs have expired or if they have stayed more than six months out of Qatar.

Renewal of QID

Q: If I need RP renewal, can I still renew?

A: Yes, you can renew Residence Permits through MOI MOI Eservices-portal or Metrash2 app. The Ministry of Interior allows individuals and companies in Qatar to renew residence permits online for 1 to 3 years. The service is available for Qataris, residents, and companies holding Qatari Smart ID Cards.

Here's how to renew QID online :

• Log in with your smartcard to the e-services portal of MOI.
• Click on "Residency Services" then "Renew Residency".
• Renewal for individuals: select the QID number to be renewed (maximum five numbers at a time).
• Renewal for companies: select the QID number to be renewed (maximum twenty numbers at a time), and click "Add".
• Choose the renewal period for the selected RP.
• Select the delivery option for the new residence permit.
• Pay the applicable fees.

Read here to know how to use the Metrash2 app!

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Khadiza Begum

Content Writer

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