Quick answer: in Qatar, domestic-worker visas and residence permits are handled by the Ministry of Interior (MOI), not the labour ministry. Check a visa that is still being issued through the MOI e-services visa enquiry (visa number or passport), and check an existing residence permit — the QID — through MOI e-services or the Metrash2 app. The recruitment side (the office, the permit to hire) sits with the Ministry of Labour. All checks are free.
A note on the word "iqama"
Many people search for "iqama in Qatar" because that is the term used in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. In Qatar the equivalent document is the Qatar ID (QID), sometimes called the residence permit. Same idea: the card that proves legal residence, tied to a sponsor, with an expiry date you must not miss.
Which check do you need?
| Your situation | Where to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Visa applied for, worker not arrived | MOI e-services visa enquiry | Visa number or passport number + nationality |
| Worker in Qatar — residence validity | MOI e-services or Metrash2 | QID number |
| Recruitment office licence | Ministry of Labour | Office licence number |
1. Check a visa still being issued
- Open the MOI e-services portal and choose the visa enquiry / visa services section.
- Search by visa number, or by passport number plus nationality if you do not have the visa number.
- Enter the verification code.
- The result shows whether the visa is approved, under process, or not found.
For a domestic worker recruited from abroad, expect the whole journey — office file, Ministry of Labour work permit, MOI visa, medical and travel — to take roughly 4–8 weeks.
2. Check the QID (residence permit)
- Open Metrash2, or the MOI e-services residency enquiry on the web.
- Enter the worker's QID number.
- You will see the residence status, the sponsor, and the expiry date.
Metrash2 is worth installing if you sponsor anyone in Qatar — renewals, fines and permit notifications all surface there first.
3. Check the recruitment office
Every legal domestic-worker recruitment office in Qatar is licensed by the Ministry of Labour (the authority formerly known as ADLSA). Before paying anything, ask for the licence and confirm the name on it matches the office and the invoice. Red flags: cash-only payment, prices far below the QAR 8,000–16,000 market range, and any suggestion of bringing a worker in on a visit visa.
What the statuses mean
- Approved / valid — in order. Note the expiry and diarise the renewal.
- Under process — normal within the 4–8 week recruitment window.
- Expired — renew immediately; overstay penalties accrue and the worker bears the practical risk.
- Not found — usually a typo in the passport or QID number. If the details are right and nothing appears, ask the office for the file reference before you pay anything further.
What the worker is owed while you are checking
Under Law No. 15 of 2017 a domestic worker in Qatar is entitled to a written contract, a maximum 10-hour working day with breaks, one paid rest day a week, three weeks of annual leave, end-of-service pay, and to keep her own passport. The minimum wage of QAR 1,000 (plus QAR 300 food and QAR 500 housing allowances where these are not provided in kind) applies to domestic workers.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How do I check a domestic worker's visa in Qatar?
Use the MOI e-services visa enquiry with the visa number or the passport number and nationality. If she already holds a QID, check residence validity through MOI e-services or the Metrash2 app.
What is iqama in Qatar?
"Iqama" is the Saudi and Kuwaiti term. Qatar's equivalent is the Qatar ID (QID) or residence permit — the card proving legal residence under a sponsor, with an expiry date the sponsor must renew.
Can I check a Qatar visa with a passport number?
Yes. The MOI visa enquiry accepts a passport number together with nationality, which is the normal route before a visa number is issued.
Is there a fee to check a visa or QID?
No. MOI e-services and Metrash2 enquiries are free. Anyone charging you for a status check is charging for something you can do yourself.
Which ministry handles domestic workers in Qatar?
Both: the Ministry of Labour licenses recruitment offices and issues the work permit, while the Ministry of Interior issues the visa and the QID. You need the labour side first, then the interior side.
