How to Convert a Family Visit Visa to a Family RP in Qatar

Moving to Qatar with your family can feel exciting, but it also comes with paperwork that can sometimes be confusing. If you brought your spouse or children on a Family Visit Visa, you may now be wondering how to keep them with you for the long term. That’s where the Family Residence Permit (Family RP) comes in.

The good news is that you can convert a Family Visit Visa to a Family Residence Permit without leaving Qatar, as long as you meet the requirements and follow the right steps.

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know so you can keep your family together in Qatar without unnecessary stress.

What’s the Difference Between Family Visit Visa and Family RP

Before we dive into the conversion process, it’s important to understand the difference between a Family Visit Visa and a Family Residence Permit (Family RP). Many people mix them up, but they serve very different purposes in Qatar.

What is a Family Visit Visa?

A temporary visa that allows your spouse or children to stay in Qatar for a short period.
Usually issued for 1–3 months, and in some cases, can be extended for a little longer.
Requires the visitor to have health insurance during their stay.
It’s great for short visits, holidays, or if you’re still arranging long-term family housing.

What is a Family Residence Permit?

A long-term residence permit that allows your immediate family (spouse and children) to live with you in Qatar.
Once approved, your family members will get their Qatar ID (QID), which is essential for everything, from school admission and healthcare to signing contracts and opening bank accounts.
It provides your family with stability and makes life in Qatar much smoother.

Why Do You Need to Convert?

Many expats bring their family on a Visit Visa first because it’s faster to process. Later, once housing, salary, and documents are in order, they apply for the Family RP so their loved ones can stay longer without the stress of constant renewals.

Check Your Eligibility First

Before starting the conversion process, make sure you actually qualify to sponsor your family in Qatar. The Ministry of Interior (MOI) has strict requirements, and applications are often rejected if these conditions aren’t met.

Salary Requirements

Government / Semi-government employees: Minimum salary of QAR 10,000 or free family housing provided by the employer.
Private sector employees:
- Minimum salary of QAR 10,000, OR
- Minimum of QAR 6,000 + family housing mentioned in the contract.

Profession Restrictions

Sponsorship is usually approved for employees in non-labour, technical, and specialized professions.
Workers in labour or low-skilled categories may face rejections, even if salary meets the requirement.

Who Can Be Sponsored?

Spouse (husband or wife).
Children:
- Sons must be below the age of 25.
- Daughters must be unmarried to qualify.

Special Requirement for School-Age Children

During renewal of the RP, school enrollment proof must be shown for children aged 6–18.

Health Insurance

Mandatory for all dependents during their stay on a visit visa, and must remain valid until the RP is issued.

In short: Make sure your salary, profession, documents, and dependents’ status all line up with MOI’s rules before you apply.

Required Documents

Getting your paperwork right is half the battle when converting a Family Visit Visa to a Family RP. Missing or incorrectly attested documents are the most common reason for delays and rejections. Here’s what you’ll need:

Sponsor’s Documents

Qatar ID (QID).
Passport.
Employment contract or salary certificate (must be in Arabic).

Marriage & Birth Certificates

Marriage certificate (attested by home country authorities, Qatar Embassy, and MOFA in Qatar).
Birth certificates for children (attested the same way).

Housing Proof

Either a registered rental contract, or
An official employer housing letter (if accommodation is provided).

Dependent Documents

Passport copies of all family members.
Passport-size photos with a blue background.
Health insurance valid until the RP is issued.

Important Notes on Documentation

Attestation is important: If documents are not attested, your application will be rejected.
Arabic salary letters: Salary certificates must be issued in Arabic; English-only versions are not accepted.

Always keep both scanned soft copies (for Metrash upload) and original hard copies (for MOI verification if requested).

Conversion Process

1. Apply for and Get Approval of Family Residence Visa

Before conversion, you must first apply for and receive approval of a family residence visa through the Metrash2 app or at an MOI Service Centre. Without approval, the visit visa cannot be converted.

2. Pay the Family Residence Visa Fee (QR 200 per person)

Once the visa is approved and marked “Ready to Print,” pay QR 200 per family member via Metrash or at any MOI Service Centre.
You can then print the visa from the MOI system.

3. Convert Visa Type: Visit → Residence (QR 500 per person)

Now that you have the Residence Visa printed, the next step is to officially convert the Visit Visa into a Residence Visa through Metrash2. This is where your family’s status changes from “visitor” to “resident.”

There are two options:

Through the Metrash2 app:
- Go to Visa Service → Open/Close Visa → Personal, then proceed.
- Enter the old (Visit) visa number and the new RP visa number.
- Pay QR 500 per family member.
- Print the conversion receipt.
At MOI Service Centre:
- Bring the sponsor’s Qatar ID, the family member’s original passport, visit visa copy, and residence visa copy.
- Pay QR 500 and get the “Visit to RP Conversion Receipt.

4. Medical Commission: Update or Conduct Medical Test (QR 100 per person)

If a medical test was not done for a visit-visa extension, you must take a full medical test at the Medical Commission.
If a medical test was already done, you still need to:
- Visit the Medical Commission.
- Provide sponsor’s Qatar ID, passport, visit and residence visa copies, previous medical receipt, and conversion receipt.
- Pay QR 100 to update the medical status in the system.
Note: Children under 15 typically don’t require a medical test, but you may still need to pay QR 100 to update their status in the system if “Issue Residence” doesn’t show in Metrash.

5. Fingerprinting

Required for individuals 15 years or older.
Go to a MOI Service Centre (excluding Wadi Al Banat and Al Duhail).
Bring the completed form, sponsor’s Qatar ID, passport (original + copy), residence visa copy, medical receipt, and conversion receipt.

6. Apply for Qatar ID (Residence Permit Card)

This is the final and most important step; getting the Qatar ID (QID) for your spouse and children. The QID is proof of residency in Qatar and is needed for almost every official process (school, healthcare, banking, etc.).

At MOI Service Centre:
- Bring completed application form, sponsor’s Qatar ID, family member’s passport, residence visa copy, medical receipt, conversion receipt, and a passport-size photo (blue background).
- Pay QR 500 for the first year. Cards are typically printed within 5 minutes.
Via Metrash2:
- Navigate to Residency → Issue Residence Permit.
- Upload photo, signature (or written name for children), and pay QR 500 + QR 20 (QPost delivery fee).
- Track delivery using sponsor’s QID via MOI tracking system.

7. Fees and Processing Time

Converting a Family Visit Visa to a Family RP involves several payments along the way. Here’s a clear breakdown:

Official Fees

Residence Visa printing: QAR 200 per dependent.
Visa change (Visit → RP): QAR 500 per dependent.
Medical / Status update: QAR 100–200 per dependent.
QID issuance: QAR 500 per dependent, per year.
QPost delivery (optional): QAR 20.

Other Costs

Typing services / photocopies: Small extra charges (QAR 10–30 per page) if you don’t prepare your own documents.
Attestation of certificates: Fees vary depending on your home country and embassy.

Processing Timeline

Family RP Approval (Metrash2 application): 1–4 weeks on average.
Visa printing & conversion steps: Usually completed within a few days after approval.
Medical + fingerprints + QID issuance: Typically 1–2 weeks, depending on appointment availability.

Overall, expect around 3–6 weeks from application to final QID, provided your documents are complete and there are no rejections or delays.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I convert a Family Visit Visa to a Family RP without leaving Qatar?
Yes. As long as you follow the proper steps and your Family RP is approved first in Metrash2, the entire conversion can be completed inside Qatar.
What are the salary requirements to sponsor my family?

Government/Semi-government: Minimum QAR 10,000 or free family housing.
Private sector: Minimum QAR 10,000, OR QAR 6,000 with employer-provided housing.

How much does the process cost in total?
On average, between QAR 1,300–1,500 per dependent, depending on medical tests, visa fees, and QID issuance (excluding attestation costs).
Do children need medical or fingerprints?

Children under 15 are exempt from full medical and fingerprints.
They may still need a status update fee (QAR 100) for system clearance.

How long does it take for approval?
The Family RP approval in Metrash2 usually takes 1–4 weeks, but once approved, the remaining steps (conversion, medical, fingerprints, QID) can be completed in 1–2 weeks.
What if Metrash2 shows errors during conversion?
If the system rejects your request, visit the nearest MOI Service Center with all documents and receipts. Manual processing usually resolves the issue.
Can I convert from a Tourist or Hayya Visa to Family RP?
Not directly. In most cases, dependents must exit Qatar and re-enter on the approved Family RP visa.
Are there extra rules for children’s renewal?
Yes. For school-age children (6–18 years), school enrollment proof is required at the time of RP renewal.

Conclusion

Converting a Family Visit Visa to a Family Residence Visa in Qatar may look complicated at first, but if you follow the steps carefully, it becomes a smooth process. From applying on Metrash2 and paying the required fees, to undergoing medical tests, fingerprinting, and finally receiving the Qatar ID (QID), each stage brings your family closer to living with you legally and comfortably in Qatar.

You just need to stay organized, patient, and proactive; keep track of deadlines, ensure your documents are complete, and follow up regularly on approvals. Once done, your loved ones will not only join you but also enjoy the benefits of residency in Qatar, such as healthcare, schooling, and stability.

Bringing your family together is worth the effort, and with this guide, you’re now one step ahead in making it happen.