New and Replacement Passports

If you are an expat in Qatar, how do you renew your passport or obtain a passport for a newborn? If you are living in Qatar or just visiting, and you lose your passport, how do you get a replacement? It depends on whether you apply online or in-person at your Embassy.
It is worth noting:

• If you are applying for a new passport, you will also need to ensure that you have your residence permit transferred to the new passport;
• If you are applying for a newborn's passport, you will need to obtain a new residence permit for the child.

Depending on the type of passport or permit you are applying for, there can be a host of forms to fill in and a myriad of documents to provide. It can be a convoluted process. However, if you follow the ‘How To’ instructions below, you’ll be travel-ready in no time!

How To Apply for a New or Replacement Passport

Whether you are applying for a new or a replacement passport, or emergency travel documents, these instructions will take you step-by-step through the process:

Online Passport Applications

RENEWING PASSPORTS/APPLYING FOR A CHILD’S FIRST PASSPORT

Step 1 - If the Government of your home country offers online Overseas Passport Applications, head to the relevant pages of their website.

Step 2 - Each Government has its own requirements for passport applications, but in general, you need to:

• Complete an online application;
• Upload required documents, i.e. digital passport photo (compliant with passport photo rules and regulations);
• Pay the required fees;
• Renewal - Send your old passport to the address provided (you may be asked to send additional supporting documents depending on your circumstances, i.e. marriage certificate for a name change, etc.);
• First Passport - Send the child’s original birth or adoption certificate and both parents birth certificates to the address provided (you may be asked to send additional supporting documents depending on your circumstances.).

Ask an independent witness to verify you and your child’s identities (they must be known to you and the applicant for a specified time period, they must not be related to you or the applicant, and they must be working in a specific profession - as specified by your home country’s official Passport Service).

Depending on your home country’s Passport Service requirements, the witness may be contacted to complete their role online or via a downloadable/printable form, which must be completed by both parties and sent to the address provided.

Step 3 - Your new passport will be sent to the address you provide in the online application. The entire process should take between 4-6 weeks.

Note: You may be asked to attend an interview at your Embassy depending on the type of passport you require and your application form answers.

REPLACING A LOST OR STOLEN PASSPORT

Step 1 - As soon as you realise that you have lost your passport or that it has been stolen, report it at your local police station - who will give you a Crime Reference Number/Report. And, cancel the lost/stolen passport via your home country’s Government Passport Service.

Step 2 - If the Government of your home country offers online Overseas Passport Applications, head to the relevant pages of their website.

Step 3 - Each Government has its own requirements for passport applications, but in general, you need to:

• Complete an online application;
• Upload required documents, i.e. digital passport photo (compliant with passport photo rules and regulations);
• Pay the required fees;
• Ask an independent witness to verify your identity and provide their details (they must be known to you or a specified period, they must not be related to you, and they must be working in a specific profession - as specified by your home country’s official Passport Service).

Depending on your home country’s Passport Service requirements, the witness may be contacted to complete their role online or via a downloadable/printable form, which must be completed by both parties and sent to the address provided.

Step 4 - Your new passport will be sent to the address you provide in the online application. The entire process should take between 4-6 weeks.

Note: You may be asked to attend an interview at your Embassy depending on the type of passport you require and your application form answers.

EMERGENCY TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Step 1 - If you need to renew or replace your passport but do not have time before you travel, you can apply for Emergency Travel Documents (as long as you have proof of travel plans, i.e. travel tickets).

Step 2 - If the Government of your home country offers Emergency Travel Documents via online applications, head to the relevant pages of their website.

Step 3 - Each Government has its own requirements for passport applications, but in general, you need to:

• Complete an online application;
• Upload required documents, i.e. digital passport photo (compliant with passport photo rules and regulations);
• Pay the required fees.

Step 4 - Once you have applied, the travel documents should be ready after a couple of days. During the application process, you will be told where and when to collect your documents.

Note: Emergency travel documents can usually be used to travel to your destination through a maximum number of countries, as specified by your home country’s Passport Service. You can also normally use it to return to the country you’re applying from if you live there. Your travel plans (countries and dates) will be printed on your emergency travel document. If you change your travel plans once you have your emergency travel document, you’ll need to apply for a new one.

You may be asked to attend an interview at your Embassy depending on your application form answers.

You may be required to ask an independent witness to verify your identity. The witness will need to complete a section of the application form and sign the photographs.

In-Person Applications

RENEWING PASSPORTS/APPLYING FOR A CHILD’S FIRST PASSPORT

Step 1 - Locate the Embassy or Consulate of your home country and book an appointment, if required.

Step 2 - Go to your Embassy with all the relevant documentation required to hand. Each Government has its own requirements for passport applications, but in general, you need to:

• Complete a paper application;
• Provide passport-sized photographs (compliant with passport photo rules and regulations);
• Pay the required fees;
• Renewal - provide your original passport, plus a copy;
• First Passport - provide the child’s original birth or adoption certificate and both parents birth certificates, plus copies.

Ask an independent witness to verify you and your child’s identities (they must be known to you and the applicant for a specified period, they must not be related to you or the applicant, and they must be working in a specific profession - as specified by your Embassy). The witness will need to complete a section of the application form and sign the applicant’s photographs.

Step 3 - Your new passport will be sent to the address you provide or to your Embassy for collection. The entire process should take around 6 weeks.

Note: You may be asked to provide additional supporting documents depending on your circumstances, the type of passport you are applying for, and you home country’s stipulations, i.e. birth certificate and marriage certificate for a name change, National ID card or similar photo ID, Qatari ID card, etc.

REPLACING A LOST OR STOLEN PASSPORT

Step 1 - As soon as you realise that you have lost your passport or that it has been stolen, report it at your local police station - who will give you a Crime Reference Number/Report. And, cancel the lost/stolen passport via your home country’s Government Passport Service.

Step 2 - Locate the Embassy or Consulate of your home country and book an appointment, if required.

Step 3 - Go to your Embassy with all the relevant documentation required to hand. Each Government has its own requirements for passport applications, but in general, you need to:

• Complete a paper application;
• Provide passport-sized photographs (compliant with passport photo rules and regulations);
• Provide details of the lost/stolen passport, if you have them (i.e. passport number, date of issue, date of expiry, etc.);
• Provide a Crime Reference Number/Report (translated into English if required);
• Provide proof of identity (i.e. National ID card or similar photo ID, Qatari ID card, etc.);
• Pay the required fees;
• Ask an independent witness to verify your identity (they must be known to you or a specified period, they must not be related to you, and they must be working in a specific profession - as specified by your home country’s official Passport Service).

The witness will need to complete a section of the application form and sign the photographs.

Step 3 - Your new passport will be sent to the address you provide or to your Embassy for collection. The entire process should take around 6 weeks.

EMERGENCY TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Step 1 - If you need to renew or replace your passport but do not have time before you travel, you can apply for Emergency Travel Documents (as long as you have proof of travel plans, i.e. travel tickets).

Step 2 - Locate the Embassy or Consulate of your home country and book an appointment, if required.

Step 3 - Go to your Embassy with all the relevant documentation required to hand. Each Government has its own requirements for passport applications, but in general, you need to:

• Complete a paper application;
• Provide passport-sized photographs (compliant with passport photo rules and regulations);
• Proof of travel dates (i.e. tickets or booking confirmation);
• Provide proof of identity (i.e. National ID card or similar photo ID, Qatari ID card, etc.);
• Pay the required fees.

Step 4 - Once you have applied, the travel documents should be ready to collect from the Embassy after a couple of days.

Note: Emergency travel documents can be used to travel to your destination through a number of countries, as specified by your home country’s Passport Service. You can normally use the documents to return to the country you’re applying from if you live there. Your travel plans (countries and dates) will be printed on your emergency travel document. If you change your travel plans once you have your emergency travel document, you’ll need to apply for a new one.

You may be required to ask an independent witness to verify your identity. The witness will need to complete a section of the application form and sign the photographs.

How To… Transfer or Apply for New Residence Permits

Once you have your or your baby’s new passport, head to any of Qatar’s Ministry of Interior Service Centre offices for matters concerning residence permits.

Refer to this Ministry of Interior Service Centers for office locations and contact details.

Before you go, read the ‘How To’ instructions to ensure you know what to bring, where and when.

RESIDENCE PERMITS FOR NEW PASSPORTS

Step 1 - Go to a Ministry of Interior (MOI) Service Centre with all the relevant documentation required to hand:

• Old and new passports, plus copies (only your new passport is necessary if the original passport was lost or stolen - you may be asked for the old passport details if you have them);
• Qatar ID card;
• A National ID card or similar photo ID.

Step 2 - Complete the application form (this will be given to you on arrival, or you can download it from the MOI website).

Step 3 - Pay the required fees (100 QAR).

Step 4 - Track your application via Metrash2 or wait for SMS confirmation of approval.

You may also apply for a residence permit transfer via Metrash2. Simply log-on and follow the instructions.

NEW RESIDENCE PERMITS FOR NEWBORN PASSPORTS

To find out how to apply for a residence permit for a newborn passport, refer to the Residence and Work Permits and Other Types of Visa articles.

NOTE: To acquire a residence permit for a newborn, you will first need to have obtained the baby’s birth certificate and passport.