Qatar’s Ministry of Interior has reduced the grace period for staying in the country after a residency permit is cancelled from 30 days to 14 days on Wednesday.
According to the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Interior, Captain Ali Ahmed Ali Al Kuwari announced during a webinar on safe travel procedures that expatriates must now leave the country within 14 days once their residence permit is cancelled. If a person fails to do so, it will result in fines.
Qatar cuts post-cancellation residency grace period
Before this, the grace period was 30 days. However, it has now been reduced to two weeks. “Earlier it was 30 days, but currently it is two weeks,” Al Kuwari was quoted as saying.
In addition to this, he further stated that overstaying the allowed period will lead to a daily fine of 10 Qatari riyals.
Captain Ali Al Kuwari also advised citizens and residents to check their travel status before departure using the Metrash mobile application, which provides information about traffic fines, overstay charges, and other dues.
He also advised passengers to use the electronic gate system at Hamad International Airport to make immigration faster and reduce waiting time.
The Airport Passports Department currently has 76 e-gates in the arrival and departure areas, according to the reports.
The official further added that residents who want to transfer their residence permit to a new passport can do this through the Metrash system.
Rules for newborns in Qatar
He also spoke about rules for newborns, saying residents must report births to the passport authorities and complete the required residency documents.
A child born in Qatar must get a residence permit under the father’s sponsorship after obtaining documents from the relevant embassy.
He further warned that without a residence permit, a newborn will not be allowed to re-enter Qatar after leaving the country.
