MOI Qatar Visa Check by Passport Number: 2-Minute Guide (2026)

Go to moi.gov.qa, navigate to Services > Visa Services > Visa Inquiry and Printing, enter your visa number plus passport number, nationality, and the CAPTCHA. Hit submit. Results are instant.

That is the two-minute version. If you do not have a visa number yet, the same portal lets you search by passport number and nationality for approved but uncollected visas. Both methods work for tourists, new hires checking entry permit approvals, and residents checking residency visa status.

The portal covers all Qatar visas issued by the Ministry of Interior: tourist visas, entry permits, residency visas, and family visit visas. It does not cover free zone company-issued permits (Qatar Financial Centre, Qatar Free Zones Authority), which are handled separately through the relevant free zone authority.

For residency services and renewals, see our Qatar residency visa services page and the MOI Qatar portal guide.

The Metrash migration: critical 2026 update

If you are still using Metrash2, stop. The old Metrash2 app has been discontinued by MOI in 2026 and all functionality has been merged into the updated Metrash app. The migration is silent: Metrash2 may still open but data is stale and you will see incorrect status results. Uninstall Metrash2 and install Metrash from the Play Store or App Store. Re-authenticate with your QID. The new Metrash app shows the same backend data as the MOI portal, instantly synced.

This guide covers every status type the portal returns, three HR persona worked-examples for tracking new-hire entry permits, the QVC rules for affected nationalities, and the eight most common reasons a "No Record Found" error shows up when you know the visa exists.

Here is the exact click-by-click flow on the MOI Qatar portal:

1. Open moi.gov.qa in any modern browser. No account needed for a basic visa inquiry; this is a public service.
2. Click Services in the top navigation bar.
3. Select Visa Services from the dropdown.
4. Click Visa Inquiry and Printing.
5. On the inquiry form, choose your input method: by visa number (preferred when you have it) or by passport number.
6. Enter the required fields: visa number (if available), passport number with no spaces, your nationality from the dropdown, and the CAPTCHA code shown.
7. Click Submit / Inquire.
8. The result screen shows visa type, status (valid, expired, cancelled, under process), and validity dates. If valid and authorised, a print button appears for the visa approval document.

The portal also lets you print the visa approval document if the status is active. This is useful when picking up a new hire from the airport and confirming the entry permit is valid, or when an airline requests sight of the document at check-in.

Mobile alternative

You can also use the Metrash app for the same check on mobile. After logging in with your QID, navigate to Visa Services. The Metrash app additionally lets you check QVC appointment status (if applicable) and lodge visa-related requests through the same interface.

When the portal is slow

The MOI portal is usually responsive but slows down around the start of new visa categories or after policy announcements. If the page hangs, use the Metrash app instead; both hit the same database. If the CAPTCHA refuses to load, disable ad-blockers and browser extensions, then reload.

The MOI portal supports both lookup methods. They return the same data but the path differs:

• By visa number: Fastest and most precise. Use this if you have the visa sticker number, the entry permit reference, or the approval document. Enter the number exactly as shown including any prefix letters. A typo here returns "Not Found" instantly.
• By passport number: Useful when you do not have the visa reference. Enter your passport number (no spaces, exactly as printed) and select the issuing nationality. The system returns all visas linked to that passport. Particularly useful for new hires who know they have an approval somewhere in the system but do not have the visa number yet, and for HR doing batch checks.

The nationality dropdown trap

If the search returns nothing, double-check the passport number (no spaces, exactly as printed in your passport) and confirm the nationality selection matches the passport-issuing country, not your ethnicity or country of residence. A British passport holder of Indian origin should select United Kingdom, not India. Mismatched nationality is the single most common reason for a false "No Record Found" response, accounting for roughly half the support tickets we see on this issue.

Multi-passport holders

If your visa was issued against an earlier passport that has since been renewed, search by the old passport number first. Qatar systems link passports across renewals, but the legacy record is sometimes keyed to the original number. Many residents whose passports were renewed mid-residency see results only when they query the old number.

For QID (Qatar ID) checks, which use a different search tool on the same portal, see our QID renewal and status guide.

The portal returns one of several status indicators. Here is what each means practically and what action it implies:

Status shown	What it means	What to do
Valid / Active	Visa is current and usable for entry or stay	No action needed; print and save if needed
Expired	Validity date has passed	Renew immediately; QAR 10/day fine after 90-day grace, capped at QAR 6,000
Cancelled	Visa has been terminated by sponsor or authority	Contact your sponsor or MOI to understand reason; may need to exit Qatar
Under Process	Renewal or new application is being processed	Wait; standard processing is 5-10 working days. Re-check in 2-3 days
Rejected	Application has been refused	Identify reason via sponsor/PRO; resubmit if grounds can be corrected
Not Found	No record for the details entered	Verify inputs; may indicate data entry error or wrong portal

Expired but inside the grace window

If you are a resident and your QID status shows Expired, check whether you are within the 90-day grace period for QID renewal, during which no fines accrue. After 90 days, fines of QAR 10 per day begin, capped at QAR 6,000. The cap means fines stop accumulating after 600 days beyond the grace period, but the renewal still cannot be completed until they are paid. The Metrash app shows the same status as the portal; they reach the same backend.

If you are an HR professional or PRO, the MOI portal is your daily tool for tracking entry permits. Here are three worked examples covering the situations we see most often.

Persona 1: Maria, HR Manager, smooth approval

Maria submits an entry permit application for a new engineer arriving from Egypt. Filing date 1 May 2026. She searches the MOI portal by passport number on 2 May: status Under Process. She checks again on 8 May: still Under Process. Check on 11 May: Valid / Approved. Standard turnaround was 8 working days. She prints the approval document from the portal, sends it to the candidate, and the candidate boards the flight on 14 May with the printed copy. Lesson: when nothing is broken, the portal is just a tool for sending the approval to the candidate. Check every 2-3 days; do not refresh hourly.

Persona 2: Salim, PRO, stuck in Under Process

Salim is tracking an entry permit filed on 14 April 2026 for a candidate from the Philippines. As of 6 May, it has been 22 days and still shows Under Process. Standard is 5-10 working days. Something is wrong. Salim escalates internally through the company's MDPS employer portal (which has more granular status than the public portal) and discovers a document flag: the candidate's home-country police certificate was outdated. He requests a fresh certificate, resubmits, and the approval flips to Valid within 4 working days. Lesson: beyond 14 working days in Under Process, escalate internally to find the document flag.

Persona 3: Reema, HR Director, QVC-mandatory country mistake

Reema files entry permits for two candidates from India simultaneously. Both show Valid on the MOI portal by day 7. She sends approval documents. One candidate boards fine. The other is denied boarding by the airline because she has not completed her QVC appointment (medical, biometrics) in India. India is on the QVC-mandatory list. The MOI portal approval is necessary but not sufficient for QVC-required nationalities. Reema now has to rebook flights at company cost. Lesson: for QVC-mandatory countries, complete the QVC steps before the candidate buys a flight.

Standard approval timelines: 5-10 working days for standard entry permits, longer for specialised categories (medical, education, government sector). For the complete residency setup process after the employee arrives, see our Qatar residency services page.

Nationals from certain countries must use the Qatar Visa Center (QVC) in their home country as part of the entry permit process. This is separate from the MOI portal check and is enforced by airlines at check-in.

The QVC handles pre-departure medical fitness tests, fingerprinting, and document verification before the employee even arrives in Qatar. Countries currently in scope include India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Philippines, and others. The list is maintained by MDPS and can change; verify with your PRO or the Qatar Labour Department for the current scope before each new hire.

QVC + MOI portal: the two-track approval

If your employee is from a QVC-mandatory country, the entry permit approval showing on the MOI portal is necessary but not sufficient. The candidate also needs to complete the QVC process before travelling. The sequence is typically:

1. Employer files entry permit application via MDPS.
2. MOI approves, status flips to Valid on the MOI portal.
3. Candidate books a QVC appointment in their home country.
4. Candidate completes medical, biometrics, and document verification at QVC.
5. QVC clearance is recorded; candidate can now fly.

The Metrash app provides QVC appointment tracking and status updates for affected nationalities and is generally the easiest way for candidates to monitor their own QVC status. For HR, the company MDPS portal gives a parallel view.

Non-QVC nationalities

If the candidate is from a non-QVC country (most Western nations, GCC nationals, and several others), only the MOI portal approval is required. They fly on the printed approval document and complete biometrics in Qatar after arrival.

Quick reference for HR and individuals reading a portal result and deciding what to do next:

Status	Visa type	Best next action
Valid	Entry permit	Print, send to candidate, confirm QVC if applicable
Valid	Residency / QID	No action; note expiry date in calendar
Under Process	Any	Wait 5-10 working days; escalate if >14
Expired	Residency	Check 90-day grace; initiate renewal through sponsor
Expired	Tourist / visit	Contact sponsor for extension or exit before fines
Cancelled	Residency	Contact HR; may need to exit Qatar within grace
Rejected	Entry permit	Identify reason code; correct issue; resubmit
Not Found	Any	Verify inputs, check passport history, try alt portal

If the visa status shows Expired

• Residents: You have a 90-day grace period with no fines. Initiate QID renewal through your sponsor immediately. See our QID renewal guide for the steps and fees (QAR 500 for one year or QAR 900 for three years for standard expats).
• Tourists or visit visa holders: Contact your sponsor or hotel to arrange a visa extension through the MOI portal. If you cannot extend, depart before fines start accumulating. The grace period for tourist categories is shorter than for residents; confirm the specific window for your visa type with MOI.

If the visa status shows Cancelled

• Employees: Your employer should have notified you. Contact HR and ask for the specific cancellation reason. Common causes include termination of employment, failure to complete biometric capture, or sponsor compliance issues.
• You typically have 30 days after cancellation to either secure a new sponsor (and a new visa) or exit Qatar. Overstaying this window triggers fines and complicates future re-entry.

If the visa status shows Rejected

• New applicants: Rejected applications can often be resubmitted after correcting the specific issue. The MOI portal sometimes shows a reason code; if not, your PRO can pull the detailed reason from the MDPS employer portal. Common reasons: failed medical, expired police certificate, document mismatch, sponsor quota exceeded.
• Contact the MOI Qatar helpline on +974 2347444 if your PRO cannot identify the reason.

Worked example: QID expired 120 days ago

Suppose your QID expired on 1 January 2026 and it is now 1 May 2026. Grace ran out on 1 April. Fines have accrued for 30 days at QAR 10/day = QAR 300. Your sponsor needs to settle the fine and initiate the renewal in one transaction. The QAR 6,000 cap means even if you let it run for two years, the fine never exceeds QAR 6,000, but the QID cannot be renewed until the accrued fine plus the renewal fee (QAR 500 or 900) are both paid.

Portal returns "No Record Found" for a known valid visa

Check eight things, in order: (1) the passport number is entered without spaces exactly as printed; (2) the nationality dropdown matches the passport-issuing country, not your ethnicity; (3) the visa number format and prefix are correct if using one; (4) you have not accidentally been issued the visa under a different passport (renewal can re-key the record); (5) caps lock is off; (6) you are on the correct portal (MOI for standard visas, free-zone authority for free-zone permits); (7) the CAPTCHA was completed correctly; (8) the page is not cached from a previous failed attempt (reload). If all eight check out, call MOI on +974 2347444.

Status shows "Under Process" for more than two weeks

Standard processing is 5-10 working days. Beyond two weeks, ask your sponsor or PRO to check the application internally on the MDPS employer portal, which exposes detailed flags the public portal hides. Common causes for stalls: a document needs resubmission, the candidate failed a QVC step in their home country, or sponsor quota is temporarily exhausted.

Metrash app showing old data

If you are still using Metrash2 in 2026, this is the cause. The old app has been discontinued. Uninstall it, install the current Metrash app from the Play Store or App Store, and log in fresh. Your data syncs immediately because the new Metrash hits the same MOI backend as the portal.

Entry permit valid but airline denied boarding

Airlines verify that the printed approval document is from the official MOI portal. A screenshot or photograph is often not accepted at check-in. Print the document directly from moi.gov.qa. Also verify the QVC requirement for the candidate's nationality, as airlines check QVC clearance separately for nationals of QVC-mandatory countries.

CAPTCHA not loading on the portal

Disable browser extensions, especially ad-blockers, and reload the page. The CAPTCHA requires JavaScript to be enabled. Chrome or Firefox in a private/incognito window usually resolves this. On mobile, try Safari or Chrome instead of in-app browsers (LinkedIn, WhatsApp).

Visa was issued under previous passport

If your passport was renewed during the visa term, the MOI record may still be linked to the old passport number. Search the old number first. After confirming the visa exists, ask MOI to update the link to your new passport at any service centre, or have your sponsor file an update.

Family visit visa under sponsor's QID

If a family member is on a visit visa sponsored by you, search by their passport number; the visa is linked to their passport, not yours. Extensions are filed through Metrash by the sponsor.

Dual nationality and the nationality field

Use the nationality of the passport you actually used to apply for the visa. If you have a UK and an Indian passport and travelled on the UK one, select United Kingdom. Switching mid-search will not find the record because Qatar links visas to a specific passport.

Free zone employees: wrong portal

Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) and Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) employees have visas not always visible on the standard MOI portal. Check with HR which portal applies and request the relevant credentials.

Transit and short-term tourist visas

Some short-stay tourist visas issued through Hayya or airline-linked programmes appear in different parts of the MOI portal. If a tourist visa does not appear under Visa Inquiry, check the Hayya platform if it was issued through that route.

Cancelled then reinstated

If your visa was cancelled and then reinstated (typically after a sponsor change or correction), the portal may show stale data for 24-48 hours. If the reinstatement was filed yesterday and the portal still shows Cancelled today, wait a working day and re-check.

Lost or stolen passport mid-stay

If you lose your passport while in Qatar, the MOI record stays linked to the old passport number until you update it. Get a new passport from your embassy, then update the MOI record through your sponsor or at an MDPS service centre. Until the update, the portal will still find your visa under the old number but airlines will not accept the old passport at check-in for exit.

Sponsor changed: residency continuity

If you change employers and the new sponsor files a residence permit transfer, expect a brief window where the portal shows the old residency cancelled and the new one Under Process. As long as the transfer was filed before the old cancellation took effect, you do not need to exit Qatar.

A quick portal check tells you the status. Acting on it, especially if the visa is expired, an entry permit is stuck in processing, or a status is genuinely missing from a record you know exists, takes more than a few clicks. Wathim handles Qatar residency and visa services for individuals and companies.

If you need help with a QID renewal, an entry permit that is not moving, understanding what a cancelled status means for your situation, or coordinating QVC steps for new hires from India, Pakistan, Nepal or the Philippines, contact us and describe what you are seeing.

See also: QID renewal in Qatar, Qatar services hub, and our MOI Qatar portal guide.