Qatar visa check by passport number: 2026 MOI portal steps (free)

Quick answer: You can do a Qatar visa check for free on the MOI portal (portal.moi.gov.qa) using just your passport number and nationality — no login required. The Metrash2 app adds push alerts and one-tap PDF printing. If your country is on the QVC pre-enrollment list (updated June 2026), start at qvc.gov.qa instead.

How to do a Qatar visa check by passport number on the MOI portal

This Qatar visa check method works for all visa types. The Ministry of Interior (MOI) Qatar redesigned its Visa Inquiry & Printing service in Q3 2026. The new single-page bilingual form works on mobile and desktop without a separate login. Here is the step-by-step walkthrough as of October 2026:

1. Open portal.moi.gov.qa and click Visa Services → Visa Inquiry & Printing.
2. Select Passport Number as the search method (default).
3. Enter your passport number exactly as it appears on the bio page (e.g., AB1234567 — no spaces or hyphens).
4. Choose your nationality from the dropdown — the list matches ICAO codes (e.g., "Pakistan", not "Pakistani").
5. Complete the captcha (the 2026 update uses a slider puzzle; drag fully to the right).
6. Click Search. Results appear in under three seconds.

Alternative inputs: If you already have a visa number or Qatar ID (QID), you can select those tabs instead. The portal accepts visa number, QID, or GCC national ID for eligible residents.

Common errors: "No Record Found" usually means the visa has not been issued yet or the passport number was mistyped. A captcha error means the slider was not dragged fully — refresh and try again. If the portal times out, wait a minute and retry; MOI servers handle heavy traffic during peak seasons (Ramadan, summer holidays).

What does 'Under Process' mean on Qatar visa inquiry?

Under Process means your application has been received and background or security checks are underway. It is not a rejection. Typical durations in 2026:

• Visit / work visas: 3–10 working days.
• Peak seasons (Ramadan, June–August): up to 14 working days.
• Family residence visas: often 7–14 days due to additional document verification.

Why it can stall: missing medical results, employer quota limits, document mismatches (name spelling, passport expiry), or security clearance delays.

Actionable next steps:

1. Wait the standard window — checking hourly will not speed it up.
2. Enable push notifications in Metrash2 v3.12+ (see below) so you are alerted the moment the status changes.
3. Ask your sponsor or employer to confirm they submitted all required documents (medical, attested certificates, contract).
4. If it exceeds 14 working days, call MOI Call Centre 109 or use the in-app chat in Metrash2. Have your passport number and application reference ready.

Can I check Qatar visa status without a visa number?

Yes. The primary method on both the MOI portal and Metrash2 is passport number + nationality. You do not need a visa number for the initial check. The Qatar visa check by passport number is the primary method.

Other accepted identifiers:

• QID number — works once the visa is issued and the ID card is printed (useful for renewals).
• GCC national ID — accepted for GCC residents (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain) on visit and family visas. Not valid for work visas that require a Qatar-specific contract.
• Hayya Card — legacy only. The 2022 World Cup Hayya Card is no longer valid for visa inquiries.

When a visa number is mandatory: some embassy offline verifications and older paper visas issued before the digital system (pre-2020) may still reference the visa number. For any current application, passport + nationality is sufficient.

How to print Qatar visa from MOI website or Metrash2 app

Once the status shows Issued, printing is free and unlimited on both official channels.

MOI portal (web)

1. After a successful search, click Print Visa.
2. A PDF opens in a new tab — download or print directly.
3. The document displays expiry dates in both Hijri and Gregorian calendars.

Metrash2 app (v3.12+, iOS/Android)

1. Open the app → Visa Services → My Visas.
2. Tap the issued visa → Print.
3. Choose Save to Files (iOS) or Download (Android), or share via AirDrop, WhatsApp, email.

Tip: Colour print is recommended for airport immigration; black-and-white is accepted but may draw extra scrutiny. Reprint anytime — no limit, no fee.

Qatar visa status messages and their meanings (2026)

The MOI portal and Metrash2 display six standard statuses. Each has distinct next steps:

Is there a fee to check Qatar visa status online?

Zero. Status inquiry and printing are free on:

• MOI portal (portal.moi.gov.qa)
• Metrash2 app (official MOI publisher on App Store / Google Play)
• Qatar Visa Center website (qvc.gov.qa)

What costs money:

• Visa issuance fees (paid by sponsor): QAR 200–500 depending on type (tourist, work, family).
• Third-party agents may charge service fees — avoid unless you need hand-holding with document preparation.
• Overstay fine: QAR 200 per day after the grace period (clarified in MOI circular March 2026). The grace period is typically 30 days for visit visas and 90 days for residence visas after expiry, but confirm with your sponsor.

Qatar visa processing time in 2026 by visa type

Processing times depend on visa type and season:

"Under Process" may last the full window. If it exceeds the peak-season maximum, escalate via MOI 109 or Metrash2 in-app chat.

Can GCC residents check Qatar visa with national ID instead of passport?

Yes, for certain visa types. Citizens of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain holding a valid GCC national ID can use it on the MOI portal and Metrash2 for:

• Tourist / visit visas (including the 30-day on-arrival eligible nationalities)
• Family visit visas sponsored by a Qatar resident
• Business visit visas (with invitation letter)

Not accepted: Work visas, permanent residence, or any visa category that requires a Qatar-specific employment contract and medical. For those, a passport is mandatory.

On the MOI portal, select GCC National ID as the search method, enter the ID number, and choose your GCC country from the nationality dropdown.

Quick comparison: which check method should you use?

Decision rule: If your nationality is on the QVC pre-enrollment list (updated June 2026 — 12 new countries added), start at qvc.gov.qa. Otherwise, the MOI portal is fastest for a single check; Metrash2 is best if you live in Qatar or travel there often.

Official support channels (as of October 2026)

• Call centre: 109 (inside Qatar) / +974 4489 0699 (from abroad) — Arabic and English.
• Web contact form: moi.gov.qa/contact
• Verified Twitter/X: @MOI_Qatar — responds within hours during working days.
• Metrash2 in-app chat: Available 7 AM–10 PM local time; attach screenshots directly.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Typing the passport number with spaces or hyphens — enter the continuous alphanumeric string.
• Selecting the wrong nationality (e.g., "British" vs "UK") — use the exact dropdown value.
• Assuming "Under Process" means rejected — it does not.
• Paying agents for a free status check.
• Travelling with an expired visa — overstay fines start at QAR 200/day after the grace period.

FAQ

How do I do a Qatar visa check by passport number on the MOI portal?

Go to portal.moi.gov.qa → Visa Services → Visa Inquiry & Printing → select Passport Number, enter passport number and nationality, solve the captcha, click Search. Results appear instantly.

What does 'Under Process' mean on Qatar visa inquiry?

It means your application is received and undergoing background/security checks. Typical wait: 3–10 working days (up to 14 in peak season). Enable Metrash2 push alerts and wait; escalate via MOI 109 if it exceeds the maximum window.

Can I check Qatar visa status without a visa number?

Yes. Passport number + nationality is the primary method. QID works after issuance. GCC national ID works for GCC residents on visit/family visas. Hayya Card is no longer valid.

How to print Qatar visa from MOI website or Metrash2 app?

On MOI portal: after status shows Issued, click Print Visa → PDF download. On Metrash2 v3.12+: Visa Services → My Visas → tap visa → Print → save or share. Free, unlimited, shows Hijri and Gregorian expiry.

What are the different Qatar visa status messages and their meanings?

Issued (approved), Under Process (checks ongoing), Cancelled (withdrawn), Expired (validity passed), Rejected (failed), On Hold (needs verification). See the table above for next steps.

Is there a fee to check Qatar visa status online?

No. MOI portal, Metrash2, and QVC website are free for inquiry and printing. Visa issuance fees (QAR 200–500) are paid by the sponsor. Overstay fine: QAR 200/day after grace period.

How long does Qatar visa processing take in 2026?

Visit/work: 3–10 working days standard, up to 14 in peak. Family residence: 7–14 days standard, up to 21 in peak. GCC resident visit: 1–3 days.

Can GCC residents check Qatar visa with national ID instead of passport?

Yes, for visit and family visas. Select GCC National ID on the portal. Not valid for work visas.

Key takeaways

• Do a Qatar visa check free at portal.moi.gov.qa with passport number + nationality — no login, no fee.
• Install Metrash2 v3.12+ for push notifications and one-tap PDF printing.
• If your nationality is on the QVC pre-enrollment list (updated June 2026), start at qvc.gov.qa.
• Under Process is normal — wait 3–14 working days before escalating.
• Overstay fine is QAR 200/day after the grace period; confirm exact dates with your sponsor.

Photos: Zairon / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Zairon / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0