Qatar · Student
Qatar Student residence
Educational residence visa (MOI)
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Student residence is a student route for Qatar. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.
Time and long term
RenewalRenewable
Residence permits can be renewed, and renewal must be completed within 90 days of expiry at most. Graduates of Qatari universities can apply through the Sahem programme for a one-year visa extension while they look for a job.
Presence rulesStay rule
A resident expatriate may not stay outside Qatar for more than six months in a row unless a return permit was obtained before leaving or within one year of departure.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Needs a place at a school or university in Qatar
What you'll need
Who can apply1
- The applicant is an expatriate student coming to study in Qatar.
What you must show1
- The visa is issued free of charge.
Documents2
- A letter from an accredited educational authority in Qatar is required.
- A good conduct certificate certified by the concerned authorities is required.
Steps2
- The applicant passes the required medical examination outside Qatar.
- The application is submitted through the Ministry of Interior e-services portal with a smart card, or at a service centre.
What happens at day 183
How Qatar decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Tax residence
- More than 183 days in the yearAn individual is resident if a permanent home is available in Qatar, or he stayed in Qatar continuously or intermittently for more than 183 days in the year, or he holds Qatari nationality.
- Foreign-source income
Source-based
Qatar taxes income derived from sources in the State at 10% of taxable income; salaries, wages and allowances are outside the Income Tax Law, and bank interest of natural persons who carry on no taxable activity is exempt.
All tax rules for Qatar Tax records checked
Full official text
Visa for expatriate students to study in Qatar, approved by the Ministry of Interior committee reviewing recruitment applications, issued free of charge. 1
Requirements
- The applicant is an expatriate student coming to study in Qatar. 1
- The visa is issued free of charge. 1
- A letter from an accredited educational authority in Qatar is required. 1
- A good conduct certificate certified by the concerned authorities is required. 1
- The applicant passes the required medical examination outside Qatar. 1
- The application is submitted through the Ministry of Interior e-services portal with a smart card, or at a service centre. 1
Official sources
- Apply for Educational Residence Visa · Hukoomi, Government of Qatar · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2021-01-11
- Law No. (21) of 2015 Regulating Entry, Exit and Residency of Expatriates · Ministry of Justice, State of Qatar · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2015
- Jusour offers services to expat students to find jobs, extend visas · Sharek (Government of Qatar e-participation portal) · checked 2026-10-11
Student residence and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student residence | – | – | – |
| Study visa (ED) Thailand | – | 3 mo, renewable | No |
| Student visa Japan | – | 4.3 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Student visa · Non-formal Indonesia | – | 4 yr, renewable | No |
| Student visa United Arab Emirates | – | – | – |
Questions people ask
How are Student residence holders taxed in Qatar?
No special regime in our records is tied to the Student residence. The standard rules apply: The General Tax Authority lists income tax of 10% on net income generated in Qatar, 5% withholding on payments to non-residents for services or rights, and 10% on the sale of real estate or securities within Qatar.
More in Qatar
Study visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-11 against 3 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Apply for Educational Residence Visa · Hukoomi, Government of Qatar · checked 2026-10-11
- Law No. (21) of 2015 Regulating Entry, Exit and Residency of Expatriates · Ministry of Justice, State of Qatar · checked 2026-10-11
- Jusour offers services to expat students to find jobs, extend visas · Sharek (Government of Qatar e-participation portal) · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.