A residence visa valid for up to 3 years is granted to persons holding employment contracts to work in Qatar. Upon arrival in Qatar, expatriates are required to go through an intensive immigration process in order to obtain residence permits.
Applications for residence permits are made through the Immigration Department. These are becoming increasingly straightforward to arrange, and are normally available within 6 weeks of arrival. Family dependents' also receive residence permits, and are deemed under the sponsorship of the family member employed in Qatar. Most companies have well-established departments to assist new arrivals in this process. 

Employers arrange the necessary appointments, which include a medical examination, and finger-printing. Up to twenty passport-size photos will be required throughout the entire immigration process. Photos of improper size, background color or inconsistent eye-wear will be rejected. These photos are inexpensive and easy to obtain once you have arrived in Doha. The medical examination includes a blood test for Aids and Hepatitis, as well as an X-ray for tuberculoses. It is recommended that women wear a white t- shirt for the X-ray exam, this way they will not need to change for the X-ray. Men and women are tested in separate areas of the hospital (sometimes even in different hospitals), and results of these tests are normally received within 48 hours.

Occasionally, re-testing is required. During the finger-printing process, an impression is taken of each fingertip as well as of both palms. It is a very messy business! Wear work clothes and take along some wet-wipes with which to cleanse your hands afterwards.

Blood testing is done to determine your blood type: this is one of the most important stages of the immigration process. These are the required steps for securing residency permits, health cards and drivers licenses.

In February 2000, new expatriate-friendly measures were taken. Holders of "Work Visit Visas" can bring their families to Qatar, get an official ID card from the Bureau of Immigration, obtain a health card, driving license and enroll their children in schools. The new "Work Visit Visa" is valid for one year, renewable every year after that. Two other two types of visa were also introduced; namely "Personal Visit Visa" and "Commercial Visit Visa" The former applies to an expatriate's spouse and relatives and is valid for six months or one year. Upon expiry, it can be renewed for another year after exit from the country, with a renewal fee of QR 300.

A person employed in Qatar may not work for anyone other than his or her sponsor. Sponsorship cannot be transferred until an employee has worked with the original sponsor for at least 2 years, and has been granted a release letter by that sponsor.

Foreigners resident in Qatar are advised to register with their embassy on arrival.