Living in Qatar
Information about moving to, living or retiring in Qatar – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.
Getting help with living in Qatar
Help from the Qatari government
For any questions about moving to or living in Qatar, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British Embassy in Doha cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Qatar.
Professional help in Qatar
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Qatar, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Qatar to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Qatar. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Laws and cultural differences
Read about laws and cultural differences in safety and security in the travel advice for Qatar.
This includes:
- religion
- dress code
- relationships outside marriage
- drug, alcohol and smoking laws
- travel bans
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Qatar before you travel.
Visas and residence permits
Check which visa or residence permit you need to live in Qatar.
You can get a visa or residence permit to:
- work
- study
- live with family in Qatar
- buy property
To get a visa or residence permit, you need a sponsor. This could be your:
- employer
- university or higher education institution
- spouse or parent
Your sponsor is responsible for arranging your visa or residence permit, and getting you a Qatar ID. You will need to have a medical exam and provide a copy of your fingerprints.
You’ll need your Qatar ID to access key services in Qatar, including banking, accommodation and medical treatment.
If you want to extend your visa, apply online on the Ministry of Interior visa extension page or visit an immigration office.
To renew your residence permit, your sponsor or employer can apply through the Ministry of Interior government service app Metrash.
For more information, read guidance from the:
Permanent residency
You may be able to apply for permanent residency in Qatar if you meet the conditions.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read guidance on permanent residency from the Ministry of Interior.
Citizenship
Qatar does not recognise dual citizenship. This means that you may have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Qatari citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for Qatari citizenship:
- read information on the law on Qatari nationality
- contact the Qatar Embassy in London
- contact the Qatar Ministry of Interior
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British Embassy in Doha cannot help with Qatari visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
Sponsoring family members to live with you in Qatar
You may be able to sponsor some family members to live with you in Qatar.
Both male and female sponsors must have a valid Qatari residence permit and earn at least QAR 10,000 per month. Females can only act as a sponsor if they work in certain professions or are a single mother.
If you meet the criteria, you may be able to sponsor:
- your wife or husband
- unmarried daughters of any age
- sons aged 24 or younger
You may also be able to sponsor your stepchildren. The Qatari immigration authorities consider applications to sponsor stepchildren on a case-by-case basis.
Documents for sponsorship applications
For all sponsorship applications, you must provide:
- a completed application form – you can get the form from your employer or the Qatari Ministry of Interior
- your passport, in which the original entry permit has been stamped, and a copy
- passport photographs
- an original medical clearance certificate for the sponsored person
- a copy of your employment contract
- a salary certificate from your employer, stating your monthly salary
- bank statements for the past 6 months
You’ll also need to provide:
- your marriage certificate – if sponsoring your wife or husband
- the child’s birth certificate – if sponsoring a child
- a ‘No Objection’ letter from the child’s biological father – if sponsoring your stepchild
- the death certificate of the child’s biological father – if sponsoring a stepchild whose biological father has died
Single mothers sponsoring their children may need to provide similar documents to those needed to sponsor a stepchild.
Legalising and attesting marriage, birth and death certificates
The Qatari authorities require some documents to be legalised and attested for use in sponsorship applications.
Marriage, birth and death certificates must be legalised by the relevant authority in the country where they were issued. Read about legalising UK documents in our guidance on documents for British people abroad.
British marriage, birth and death certificates must also be attested by the Legalisation Office of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Qatar Embassy in London.
Death certificates from other countries must be attested by the relevant authority in the country where they were issued. They may also need to be translated into Arabic.
‘No Objection’ letters
If you sponsor a stepchild, their biological father must make a ‘No Objection’ declaration in front of a notary public. The declaration must state that he has no objection to the child living in Qatar under the sponsorship of their stepfather.
If you’re a single mother, you may also need a ‘No Objection’ declaration from your child’s biological father.
If the biological father cannot or will not make this declaration, the Qatari authorities will ask for proof that the child’s mother has sole parental responsibility. They may also need a declaration signed by the stepfather. This declaration must state that the stepfather will support the child throughout the family’s residency in Qatar.
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Sponsor notification of travel
If you sponsor family members or other individuals, the Qatari authorities will send you a text message each time any of them passes through Qatar immigration.
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Healthcare in Qatar
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Qatar does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from Qatari or international providers.
You may need to access the public healthcare system, even if you have private healthcare cover. To do this, you must apply for a government health card at your nearest health centre.
For more information, read the Qatari government’s guidance on health insurance and primary health care.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
- contact your insurance provider
- read guidance on health in Qatar
- find English-speaking medical facilities and doctors for British Nationals in Qatar
- visit the Qatar Ministry of Public Health website
Working in Qatar
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Qatar, you need a work residence permit. To get a work residence permit, you must have an employment contract.
Your employer will act as your sponsor and is responsible for arranging your work residence permit and Qatar ID card. You should not leave Qatar while this process is in progress. If you do, the Qatari authorities will reject your application. You’ll then need to reapply when you return to Qatar.
For more information, read the Qatari government’s guidance on residence and work permits in Qatar. This includes how to register as a working woman in Qatar.
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Qatar, you will need to get your foreign qualifications legalised.
For more information, see our guidance on legalisation of UK documents for use in the State of Qatar.
Changing your employer
Whether and when you can change your employer in Qatar depends on the type of employment contract you have.
For more information:
- read information on the law about transfer of sponsorship (PDF, 521 KB)
- read the Qatari government’s guidance on requirements of changing employer for expatriates
Employment matters and exit permits
Read our guidance on employment matters and exit permits in Qatar. This explains:
- when employees may need an exit permit to leave Qatar
- how and where to get help for employment matters
Driving in Qatar
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
Read about road travel in Qatar in the safety and security section of our travel advice for Qatar. This includes information on driving in Qatar, including driving licence rules.
You cannot renew or replace your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man driving licence if you live in Qatar.
Disabled drivers
You may be able to apply for a Qatari disabled parking permit.
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Qatar, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
There is no income tax on salaries or wages paid in Qatar.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Qatar so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the Qatar General Tax Authority for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Qatar. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Qatar.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a Qatari pension
Generally, only Qatari citizens can claim a state pension in Qatar. If you have worked in Qatar, you may be entitled to end-of-service gratuity from your employer.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming Qatari benefits
Only Qatari citizens are eligible for Qatari benefits.
Buying and renting property in Qatar
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Qatar if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in Qatar
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Qatari elections
You cannot vote in Qatari elections unless you hold Qatari citizenship.
Studying in Qatar
If you plan to study in Qatar, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. Find out more about studying in Qatar.
For more information:
- read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)
- contact your higher education provider in the UK or Qatar
- contact the Qatar Ministry of Education and Higher Education
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The Qatar Ministry of Education and Higher Education provides information about the school system in Qatar.
All children aged 6 to 18 must attend school or home school in Qatar.
For more information, read the Qatari government’s guidance on how to:
Childcare
The Qatar Ministry of Education and Higher Education oversees nurseries in Qatar. Nurseries are a paid service available for children up to 4 years old.
Some expats also choose to:
- sponsor a live-in nanny
- employ a live-out nanny through an agency
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Qatar, register the birth with the Qatari authorities.
You will also need to apply for a Qatar ID for the baby once you have registered the birth. The process is the same as for sponsoring a family member. To find out how to do this, read the ‘Sponsoring family members to live with you in Qatar’ section of this guide.
If you do not want to get a residence permit for the baby, you will need an exit permit to leave Qatar. You can get an exit permit from a Qatar immigration office.
If you’re pregnant and are not married, the British Embassy in Doha strongly recommends that you do not give birth in Qatar. Read our guidance on relationships outside marriage in the safety and security section of our travel advice for Qatar.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Qatar, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad. You can also read our guidance on family law in Qatar.
Qatar has strict laws on sexual activity and living with a partner outside marriage. Same sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in Qatar.
Read our guidance on safety and security in the travel advice for Qatar. This includes information on:
- relationships outside marriage
- LGBT+ rights
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
Read about spousal disputes and divorce in our guidance on family law in Qatar.
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Qatar.
Documents for British people in Qatar
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Qatar, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Qatar, read guidance on:
- applying for an import permit for cats and dogs
- taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to a non-EU country
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
If you have been a resident of Qatar and are leaving for good, you must cancel your residency status.
As part of this process, you’ll need to:
- close all bank and credit accounts
- pay off all fines and debts
- get a letter from your bank or lender to confirm that you have settled your debts and closed your accounts
- cancel Kahrama (water and electric provider), Ooredoo (phone provider) and mobile phone subscriptions
- check the government service app Metrash for any outstanding traffic violations
- check that there is no outstanding travel ban against you
- apply for a Certificate of Good Conduct from the Ministry of Interior - once you leave Qatar, it’s very difficult to get this
If you do not do this:
- you may be delayed leaving Qatar
- the Qatari authorities may mark you on the immigration system as an absconder or debtor
- any unsettled cases may be referred to Interpol
This could cause problems when travelling to or through Qatar in future.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Qatari authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
Updates to this page
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Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK ('Passports and travel' section).
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Guidance updated in full with added sections on visas, passports, tax, pensions, travel bans, and others.
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Edited sections: Social ethics, Alcohol, and Drugs
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines.
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First published.