Before you start

A signed employment contract with a sponsor that holds a valid establishment (immigration) card
A work-residence visa / approval initiated by your sponsor
Passport valid for at least 6 more months

Step-by-step

1
Sponsor files your residence permit
Your employer applies on the MOI portal / Metrash2 using their establishment card. You cannot start this step yourself.
Via employerWho: Your employer/sponsorA few daysNormally employer-paid (~QR 1,000/yr typical)
2
Medical commission exam
Within 30 days of entry, do the mandatory medical (chest X-ray + blood test) at an approved health centre. Results usually land in 2–4 days.
In personWho: YouSame-day visit; results 2–4 daysQR 50
3
Biometrics (fingerprints + photo)
Once the medical clears, give fingerprints and a photo at an MOI service centre. This binds your record to the QID.
In personWho: YouSame-day appointmentIncluded
4
Smart QID issued
The Smart QID card is produced and collected (often by your employer's PRO). Count ~2–4 weeks from arrival end to end.
In personWho: Employer PRO usually collects2–4 weeks total~QR 100 issuance

Documents you’ll need

Passport (valid 6+ months)
Passport-size photos
Attested employment contract
Employer establishment / immigration card details

Things most newcomers don’t know

The QID gates almost everything else.

No postpaid SIM, bank account, residential lease, family sponsorship, or car loan until it's issued. Make it your week-1 priority and keep the process moving.

Source: official + provider consensus

There's a hard 30-day window for the medical.

The mandatory medical must be completed within 30 days of entry on a work-residence visa; slipping it stalls the entire QID.

Source: MOI / Hukoomi

Your QID number works before the physical card arrives.

Banks, telecoms, and landlords will start applications against the QID number while the card is still printing — ask your PRO for it early.

Source: community-reported

Exit permits are mostly abolished — but not for everyone.

Since the 2018–2020 labour reforms most private-sector workers no longer need an exit permit to leave Qatar, but a few exempt categories still do. Confirm with HR rather than assume.

Source: community-reported, verify with HR