Qatar Residence Permit for Domestic Workers

In Qatar, a Residence Permit for domestic workers is the official document that allows housemaids, nannies, drivers, and cooks to legally live and work under a household sponsor. The process in 2025 requires MOI visa approval, medical tests, biometrics, contract registration, and health insurance before the worker receives their Qatar ID card linked to the RP.

The RP is essential for household sponsorship. Without it, workers cannot legally stay, access healthcare, or exercise their rights. To fully understand Qatar’s ID system, see the Qatar ID check guide and the residence permit overview before applying.

What is the Qatar Residence Permit for Domestic Workers?

In Qatar, a Residence Permit for domestic workers is the legal residency approval issued by the MOI, while the Qatar ID card is the physical proof linked to it.

The RP is issued by the Ministry of Interior (MOI) and connects the worker to the household sponsor. Once granted, the QID is printed as proof of residency. This distinction matters: the RP is the legal permission, and the QID is its evidence. For card-specific details, check the Qatar ID for domestic workers guide.

Who Can Sponsor a Domestic Worker in Qatar?

A domestic worker in Qatar can only be sponsored by a household resident with a valid QID, sufficient monthly income, and approved accommodation proof.

Sponsorship is restricted to individuals, not companies. Sponsors must:

Hold a valid Qatar ID (QID)
Show a minimum income (commonly QAR 10,000+)
Provide accommodation proof (lease or utility bill)
Often be married, especially when applying for housemaids or nannies

Required Documents for the Application

To apply for a domestic worker’s RP in Qatar, sponsors must provide QID, income and housing proof, while workers must submit passport, police clearance, signed contract, photos, and insurance.

For sponsors:

QID and passport copies
Salary certificate or bank statements
Marriage certificate, if applicable
Proof of accommodation (lease or Kahramaa bill)

For workers:

Passport valid 6+ months
Police clearance from the home country
MOI-approved domestic worker contract
Passport photos
Proof of health insurance coverage

Step-by-Step Process in 2025

The Residence Permit process in Qatar includes visa approval in Metrash, QVC formalities abroad, medicals, fingerprints, contract registration, and final QID issuance.

Visa approval request in Metrash → Visa → Visa Approval → Domestic Worker
QVC process abroad for workers from India, Philippines, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka (medical, biometrics, contract)
Entry visa issuance after MOI approval
Medical tests in Qatar, if not done at QVC
Fingerprint and biometric capture at MOI fingerprint centers
Contract registration with the Ministry of Labour
QID issuance once RP is approved

Step-by-step process for Qatar Residence Permit for domestic workers – infographic flowchart showing visa approval, QVC, medical, biometrics, contract, and QID issuance.

Fees for Domestic Worker Residence Permit

A domestic worker’s Residence Permit in Qatar costs about QAR 300 annually under household sponsorship, plus medical, biometric, and health insurance expenses.

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Entry visa	QAR 300	One-time
Residence Permit	QAR 300/year	Personal sponsorship
Work permit	QAR 100/year	In some cases
Medicals & biometrics	~QAR 200–300	In Qatar or QVC
Health insurance	QAR 600–1,000/year	Mandatory

Fees for Domestic Worker Residence Permit in Qatar 2025 – infographic showing QAR 300 RP fee, QAR 200–300 medical, QAR 600–1,000 insurance.

Rights of Domestic Workers Under Qatari Law

Domestic workers are entitled to a 10-hour max workday, weekly rest, three weeks’ leave, health insurance, and end-of-service pay.

Law No. 15 of 2017 guarantees:

Max 10 working hours per day
One paid weekly rest day
Three weeks paid annual leave
End-of-service pay equal to three weeks per year
Paid sick leave
Return airfare every 2 years

Health insurance is compulsory under Law No. 22 of 2021.

Rights of domestic workers under Qatari law – infographic with smiling worker and checklist of weekly rest, paid leave, health insurance, and end-of-service pay.

Sponsor Responsibilities

Sponsors in Qatar must pay wages on time, provide food and housing, cover medical insurance, respect rest days, and renew the RP each year through Metrash.

Sponsors must:

Pay salaries on time
Provide accommodation and meals
Cover medical insurance
Renew the RP annually in Metrash
Never confiscate passports or QIDs

Sponsor responsibilities for domestic worker Residence Permit in Qatar – infographic showing wages, housing, insurance, and RP renewal obligations.

Renewal and Validity

A domestic worker’s Residence Permit in Qatar is valid for one year and must be renewed annually through Metrash or MOI service centers.

Renewals require updated insurance, valid passport, and contract proof. Start early to avoid fines. See how to handle renewing a Qatar residence permit for a detailed breakdown.

Pay salaries on time
Provide accommodation and meals
Cover medical insurance
Renew the RP annually in Metrash
Never confiscate passports or QIDs

Renewal and validity of Qatar Residence Permit for domestic workers – infographic with calendar and Qatar ID card highlighting 1-year renewal rule.

Difference Between RP and QID for Domestic Workers

The RP is the legal residency approval, while the QID is the card used for daily services.

Feature	Residence Permit	Qatar ID (QID)
Purpose	Legal residency	ID card proving RP
Issued by	MOI	MOI
Renewal	1 year	Matches RP
Usage	Legal stay	Banking, SIM, healthcare

Risks of Not Having a Residence Permit

Without a valid RP, workers risk deportation and sponsors face fines and blacklisting.

Penalties include:

Fines against the sponsor
Deportation of the worker
Sponsor bans for future applications

Penalties for not having a Residence Permit in Qatar – infographic with MOI officer and warning text fines, deportation, and blacklisting

See how violations are handled in Qatar ID fines and penalties.

Quick Sponsor Checklist

Prepare these documents and steps to avoid rejection when applying for a domestic worker’s RP.

Sponsor QID, passport, income proof, housing proof
Worker’s passport, police clearance, contract, photos
QVC completed if worker’s country requires it
Medicals and biometrics done on time
Insurance coverage aligned with RP validity

FAQs – Qatar Residence Permit for Domestic Workers

In Qatar, issuing a Residence Permit for domestic workers usually takes 2–4 weeks after arrival, depending on how quickly the worker completes medical tests, fingerprint registration, and contract approval through the Ministry of Interior (MOI). Using the Metrash app and Qatar Visa Center pre-approval can shorten the processing timeline.

The annual Residence Permit fee for domestic workers in Qatar is about QAR 300 under household sponsorship. Sponsors must also budget for mandatory health insurance, medical tests, and biometric registration, which can add QAR 600–1,200 depending on the insurer and service provider. All payments are processed through the MOI or Metrash.

Yes, single residents may sponsor a domestic worker in Qatar, but approval is stricter. The Ministry of Interior typically requires a valid Qatar ID, a higher monthly income, and proof of accommodation. Married residents usually receive faster approval for housemaids or nannies, but single professionals can apply if eligibility conditions are met.

Yes. Under Qatar’s Law No. 22 of 2021, sponsors must provide health insurance for domestic workers as part of their Residence Permit application. The policy ensures access to hospitals, clinics, and emergency care. Insurance proof must be submitted during RP issuance and at each renewal to keep the worker’s residency valid.

If a domestic worker’s Residence Permit expires in Qatar, the worker becomes an illegal resident, risking detention and deportation. The sponsor faces fines, legal penalties, and possible blacklisting by the Ministry of Interior. Renewing the RP on time through the Metrash app prevents penalties and keeps the worker’s stay fully legal.