Qatar has significantly reduced the grace period for expatriates to depart the country when their residency card is revoked from 30 days to 14 days, according to reports by Gulf News and Gulf Times. During a webinar on safe travel procedures hosted by the Ministry of Interior's Public Relations Department, Captain Ali Ahmed Ali Al Kuwari of the Airport Passports Department announced the measure. As reported by Gulf Times, Al Kuwari stated that the post-cancellation grace period has been shortened, with anyone staying in Qatar for more than 14 days facing QR10 (approximately ₹260 INR) daily fines. The official clarified that "earlier it was 30 days, but currently it is two weeks," emphasizing the reduced timeline for departures. This change means residents now have significantly less time to arrange flights, finalise paperwork, or wrap up personal matters before departure.
The new regulations impose substantial financial penalties for overstaying visa requirements. According to Al Kuwari's statements, there is a daily fine of QR200 (approximately ₹5,260 INR) for overstaying a visitation visa. The daily overstay fine for visit visa holders is QR200 per day, with the charges quickly accumulating if someone delays their departure for several weeks. Thousands of Indian expatriates living and working in Qatar may need to make travel or job plans shortly after their residence cards are revoked, making this announcement particularly relevant to them. The official advised travellers to carefully verify the validity of their visas and the length of stay shown on the passport's visa stamp.
Before departing, travellers were encouraged to check their status via the Metrash mobile application to identify any outstanding obligations. Al Kuwari advised users to look for traffic fines, overstay penalties, or other obligations that would interfere with their travel. The official urged travellers to utilise the electronic gate system at Hamad International Airport, where 76 e-gates in both arrival and departure terminals are currently operational. This system is designed to speed up immigration procedures and reduce waiting times for passengers. The warning wasn't limited to residents only - visitors entering Qatar were also reminded to carefully check the dates and conditions listed on their visa stamps, with tourists and other visitors who stay beyond the validity of their visas facing much steeper penalties.
Regarding newborns, Al Kuwari addressed specific regulations about citizens obtaining necessary residency documents and recording births with passport authorities. He pointed out that after obtaining required documentation from the appropriate embassy, a child born in Qatar must acquire a residency permit under the father's sponsorship. The official stated that a newborn would not be permitted to return to Qatar after leaving the nation without a residence permit, emphasizing the importance of proper documentation for families. Residents can complete the process of transferring their residence permit to a new passport through the Metrash application. Without that residency approval, a child may face difficulties re-entering Qatar after travelling abroad, making this detail particularly important for new parents to complete early.
