How many days does it take to get a permanent visa in Qatar?

Eligibility and what “Permanent visa” means

Qatar does not issue a “permanent visa” in the traditional immigration sense. Instead, it grants a Permanent Residency Permit (PRP) to a very limited number of eligible foreign residents under Law No. 10 of 2018 (long-term legal residence, high income, investment, or special categories). The only way to apply and get a fast-track result is to meet these conditions until you do so. The term is commonly used to mean a "Permanent Residency Card" as opposed to full citizenship.

Typical processing time

Due to the fact that this category is very choosy and comes with elaborate assessments, the time scale is quite different. It is typical to have applicants mention processing time as several months up to years or even more. The review phase alone may take a few months according to some sources.

E.g. after you have filled out a complete application with all necessary documentation, background checking, checking of investment, checking of incomes and residency history, your case is discussed by a committee and the corresponding ministry. In practice, there is no officially published processing timeframe for Qatar’s Permanent Residency Permit. Many applicants report waiting periods ranging from several months to multiple years, and some applications may remain under review without a clear final decision.

It is worth mentioning that it is not comparable to a short-term tourist or work visa which could possibly take days or weeks to be processed. An application of a permanent residency type is more demanding in terms of steps and examination.

It is also important to note that submitting an application does not guarantee that it will enter an active review phase immediately. Some applications may remain dormant for extended periods without formal approval or rejection.

What affects the timeline?

Several factors influence how many days (or months) it will take:

Completeness of your application: missing documents or insufficient proof will add delays.
Residency history in Qatar: if you’ve been lawfully resident for the required duration and meet qualifications, your file moves faster.
Nature and size of investment or income: applicants who qualify under investment or special categories may be prioritized.
Background checks & national security clearances: for some applicants this phase adds significant time.
Number of applications in the queue: Under Qatari law, the number of Permanent Residency Permits granted annually is capped and subject to government discretion, which can contribute to long waiting times and application backlogs.

What to do to prepare

Ensure all required eligibility criteria are met before applying, including document proof of your legal stay in Qatar.
Gather full supporting documentation such as income statements, investment proofs, police clearance, etc.
Apply well in advance of any planned timelines and be prepared for a waiting period of several months.
Track your application status with the relevant ministry and respond promptly to any requests for additional information.

In conclusion

There is no need to rush when seeking permanent residency in Qatar, as it will take a few months, not days. Applicants should realistically expect a waiting period of many months to several years, with no guaranteed timeline, depending on eligibility category, government priorities, and discretionary review. You need to start promptly, plan well and track your application so that you can have the best channel to follow.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

All information entered on this form will be kept strictly confidential and subject to our privacy policy once received by us. Your transaction will be secured using SSL/TLS encryption.