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
Do the mandatory medical (chest X-ray + blood test) at an approved medical commission centre in your first days. The whole residence-permit process must be finished within 30 days of entry, so this is the step to book first. Results usually land in 2–4 days.
In personWho: YouSame-day visit; results 2–4 days≈ QR 100
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 totalCovered by the residence-permit fee (QPost delivery ~QR 20 if you want it couriered)

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 — and it covers the whole permit, not just the medical.

MOI requires employer and employee together to complete all residence-permit procedures within 30 days of arrival; missing it is a legal violation carrying a fine of up to QR 10,000. Book the medical in week one so the rest of the chain has room.

Source: MOI announcement, via Deloitte Middle East

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

Kafala as most guides describe it is gone — but read the exceptions.

Law No. 13 of 2018 ended exit permits for most private-sector workers, and Law No. 19 of 2020 removed the employer No-Objection Certificate for changing jobs. Older guides still describing a sponsor's veto over leaving or moving are out of date. Narrow exceptions remain (a small share of senior staff, some government and semi-government posts, notice-period obligations of 1–2 months), so confirm your own category with HR.

Source: Law 13/2018 and Law 19/2020, via the ILO

Common mistakes to avoid

Missing the 30-day window to complete residence-permit procedures — a fine of up to QR 10,000
Letting the permit lapse — daily fines accrue and the post-expiry grace period is now short
Assuming you apply yourself; the sponsor must initiate it

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.