The latest developments were outlined by officials from the Ministry of Interior (MoI), who urged residents and visitors to closely monitor their visa and residency status to avoid fines and other legal consequences.
Speaking during a webinar titled “Safe Travels,” organized by the MoI’s Public Relations Department, Captain Ali Ahmed Ali al-Kuwari of the Airport Passport Department confirmed that individuals whose residence permits are cancelled must now leave the country within 14 days, a Gulf Times report said. The latest developments were outlined by officials from the Ministry of Interior (MoI), who urged residents and visitors to closely monitor their visa and residency status to avoid fines and other legal consequences.
Speaking during a webinar titled “Safe Travels,” organized by the MoI’s Public Relations Department, Captain Ali Ahmed Ali al-Kuwari of the Airport Passport Department confirmed that individuals whose residence permits are cancelled must now leave the country within 14 days, a Gulf Times report said.
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“One should leave the country within 14 days from the date of the residency permit cancellation,” Capt al-Kuwari said.
He noted that the grace period had previously been longer.
“Earlier it was 30 days, but currently it is two weeks,” he said. “Those who stay after two weeks will have to pay a fine of QAR10 per day.”
The changes come as Qatar continues to streamline immigration procedures and reinforce compliance requirements for both residents and visitors.
Visitors warned about overstay penalties
During the webinar, Capt al-Kuwari also highlighted the importance of verifying the duration of stay granted under visit visas.
According to the official, visitors should carefully check the visa sticker attached to their passports and ensure they depart before the permitted period expires.
“People who are on a visit visa to the country have to make sure of the duration of the stay in the country from the sticker fixed with the stamp in the passport,” Capt al-Kuwari said.
He warned that overstaying can result in significant penalties.
“There is a fine of QAR200 per day in case of overstay. This is a very important point as many people fail to notice the exact number of days allowed for the stay in the country,” he added.
The reminder comes as authorities move to restore standard visa procedures after a period during which certain expired visas were eligible for extensions.
MOI ends extensions for expired entry visas
In a separate announcement, Qatar’s Ministry of Interior said it had suspended the extension of all types of expired or nearly expired entry visas, effective June 7.
The ministry first announced the decision on May 28 through its official X platform, stating that standard procedures governing visa validity periods and related fees would resume.
The move affects all categories of entry visas and signals a return to regular immigration regulations.
The ministry urged residents, visitors and relevant stakeholders to ensure their immigration status remains valid by renewing visas, paying applicable fees within prescribed deadlines or departing the country before visa expiry.
According to the ministry, failure to comply could result in legal penalties associated with overstaying. The announcement was issued through the Qatar News Agency (QNA).
Focus on digital services and faster travel procedures
Alongside the compliance reminders, MoI officials encouraged travelers to make greater use of digital services before heading to the airport.
Capt al-Kuwari advised residents and visitors to review their status through the Metrash application before travel.
“If you have any kind of traffic violations, overstay fine or any other dues, you can pay that electronically through Metrash and complete all the procedures before heading to the airport,” he said.
“In case you have any travel ban, you have to follow up with the concerned department to take out the travel ban to travel to your destination.”
The official also highlighted the role of electronic gates in speeding up immigration procedures at the airport.
According to Capt al-Kuwari, the Airport Passports Department currently operates 76 electronic gates across arrival and departure terminals.
“This is one of the vital services provided by the Airport Passports Department free of charge to all citizens, residents, and visitors,” he said. “The objective of this service is to save time and effort and avoid waiting in front of the immigration counters inside the airport.”
“It takes just about 10-15 seconds to complete the formalities through the e-gates,” he added.
Travelers were also encouraged to follow designated floor markings and airport guidance systems to ensure smoother processing at passport control and e-gate checkpoints.
Residency procedures for new passports and newborns
The webinar also addressed administrative procedures related to residency permits.
Capt al-Kuwari said residents who obtain a new passport can transfer their residency permit information through the Metrash app.
For newborn children, however, residents must visit the passport office to complete the required procedures.
“A newborn in the country should obtain a residence permit on the sponsorship of the father after obtaining necessary document from the person’s embassy,” the official said.
“In case a residence permit is not obtained, the newborn cannot re-enter Qatar.”
Th latest measures underscore Qatar’s broader push to ensure compliance with residency and visa regulations while promoting the use of digital services to simplify travel and immigration procedures for residents and visitors.
https://gulfbusiness.com/en/2026/qatar/qatars-residency-visa-rules-14-day-exit-deadline-