How to sponsor family in Qatar: spouse, children and other relatives

Qatar has two different family routes: a Family Residence Visa for eligible dependants who will live in Qatar, and a Family Visit Visa for an approved temporary visit. Do not assume that every blood relative qualifies for residence sponsorship.

Quick answer: A spouse and eligible children are the normal family-residence route. Parents, siblings, uncles, aunts and other relatives should be checked under the current family-visit categories in Metrash or with the General Directorate of Passports. Qatar Online found no official rule guaranteeing residence sponsorship for those distant-relative categories.

Residence or visit?

Choose family residence when your spouse or eligible child will live in Qatar and receive a Qatar ID. Choose family visit when an allowed relative is coming temporarily. A visit visa cannot be treated as permanent residence, and its conditions and permitted kinship categories can change.

Current sponsor eligibility

The Ministry of Interior announced these controls in December 2023:

• Government and semi-government employees need employer-provided family housing or a salary of at least QAR 10,000 recorded in the employment contract.
• Private-sector employees need a technical or specialized, non-labor profession and at least QAR 10,000, or QAR 6,000 with employer-provided family housing, recorded in the contract.
• For family residence, a son must be no older than 25 and a daughter must be unmarried.
• Health insurance must cover the residence period.
• Children aged 6–18 must be enrolled in a licensed school in Qatar or have proof of education outside Qatar through the supervised education platform.

For a family visit, the announcement says the resident should have a non-labor profession, at least QAR 5,000, documented family housing, an allowed kinship relationship and health insurance for the visit. The Ministry can revise or apply additional case-specific controls.

Documents to prepare

• Sponsor's valid QID and passport copy.
• Visitor or dependant's valid passport copy.
• Attested marriage certificate for a spouse.
• Attested birth certificates for children.
• Proof of relationship for another relative.
• Electronic employment contract showing salary and housing.
• Employer or housing evidence where required.
• Health insurance meeting the current rule.
• School enrollment evidence for children aged 6–18.
• Clear, current photographs or scans in the format Metrash requests.

Attestation requirements depend on the country where a document was issued. Confirm the chain with the issuing country and Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before submitting.

Step-by-step in Metrash

1. Check the correct relationship category. If the person is not a spouse or child, confirm that Metrash currently offers the relationship under family visit.
2. Prepare and attest civil documents. Names and dates should match every passport.
3. Check your employment contract and housing. Correct any outdated salary, profession or accommodation record before applying.
4. Open the visa service in Metrash. Select the family residence or family visit service shown in the current app.
5. Enter the applicant's details carefully. Never share your Metrash password or one-time code with anyone.
6. Upload each requested document. Use legible scans with all edges visible.
7. Track the application in Metrash. If it asks for another document, upload the exact item requested.
8. After residence entry, complete medical and fingerprint steps when required, then issue the dependant's QID.

Read the Metrash QID and family guide and Metrash2 common questions for the next screens.

Medical test and fingerprints

Adult residence applicants and other categories identified by the authority may need the Medical Commission examination and fingerprints after entry. The official medical examination fee is QAR 100 per person. Follow the application instructions because age and nationality can affect which checks apply.

Fees and processing time

Metrash displays the payable amount for the selected application before payment. The MOI public announcement does not publish one complete fee table or guaranteed processing time for every relationship and visa type. Review the live amount in Metrash and do not pay anyone who promises approval.

Relatives beyond spouse and children

A parent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt may appear under an allowed family-visit relationship, but that is not the same as family residence. Availability, duration and documents are decided by the authority. If the relationship is missing from Metrash, ask the General Directorate of Passports rather than selecting an inaccurate category.

Start with the family residence visa service, compare costs in the visa and residency calculator, and see the school registration guide for children.

Official sources

• MOI family residence and visit controls
• MOI Metrash services

Last reviewed: 2 October 2026. Immigration decisions are made by the authority and requirements can change.