Qatar Student Visa Requirements
Your university tells you how to get your student visa, and you give it the right papers. Here is what Qatar University (QU) and the Education City universities (Qatar's campus area for foreign universities) ask for, for students from India and Pakistan.
Who Can Get a Qatar Student Visa
You can get a student residence visa when a Qatar university admits you and your residence sponsor (the body that takes responsibility for your stay in Qatar) agrees.
- An offer from a university in Qatar.
- At Qatar University, graduate students and students who pay for themselves or whose family pays apply for the visa within the admission dates.
- At Qatar University (QU), your financial sponsor is a person, not you. You cannot sponsor yourself.
- Your financial sponsor's last 6 months of bank statements, in English or Arabic.
- If your financial sponsor lives in Qatar: also a QAR 20,000 (USD 5,470) bank guarantee from a Qatar bank.
Qatar's immigration rules ask for a negative test for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and tuberculosis (TB).
At Qatar University (QU), a student who fails the medical check must leave Qatar within 48 hours.
VCUarts Qatar strongly recommends doing these tests in your home country before you travel. A positive result can mean being sent home at once.
Special Cases
- Qatar University bachelor's applicants who win a QU scholarship do not fill in the visa form. The university arranges the visa.
- Qatar University has no scholarships for master's and PhD applicants.
- Pakistan: if you travel from Pakistan, send a polio vaccination yellow card.
Documents for a Qatar Student Visa
This list joins what Qatar University (QU) and Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) ask for. Your university may ask for more.
Check that your name and birth date match on every paper.
Scan every paper. You will need some again after you land.
If you renew your passport, tell your university at once.
- Your university tells you the size and background colour.
- Bring spare passport-size photos to Qatar.
| Document Name | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Passport scan | A clear colour scan of the photo page, with the 2 lines of letters and numbers at the bottom. Northwestern University in Qatar asks for it to be valid at least 6 months after you enter Qatar. Qatar University asks for at least 1 year. | Required |
| India: first and last passport pages | Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) asks Indian students for both pages. | Required |
| Photos | Northwestern University in Qatar asks for 3 passport-size photos within 2 weeks of arrival. | Required |
| Document Name | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Admission offer | Your offer from the Qatar university that applies for your visa. | Required |
| Application summary (Qatar University) | A screenshot of your online admission application summary page. | Required |
| Document Name | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Financial sponsorship declaration | A person, not you, such as a parent, promises to pay your study and living costs. | Required |
| Financial sponsor's passport or Qatar ID (QID) | A copy of your financial sponsor's passport, or Qatar ID if your financial sponsor lives in Qatar. | Required |
| Bank statements and bank guarantee | Always: 6 months of your financial sponsor's bank statements, in English or Arabic. If your financial sponsor lives in Qatar, also a QAR 20,000 (USD 5,470) bank guarantee from a Qatar bank. | Required |
| Document Name | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Medical form | Qatar University: a health evaluation form (a health form signed by a doctor) stamped by a clinic at home. Northwestern University in Qatar: a medical clearance form. | Required |
| Pakistan: polio vaccination card | Students travelling from Pakistan send a polio yellow card from Pakistan's health authority. | Required |
| Document Name | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Police clearance certificate | A good conduct certificate (police clearance) from the country where you live. | Required |
| Parent consent letter | For bachelor's students only. A parent or guardian agrees to your study and residence permit. | Required |
| Student declaration form | Fill in Qatar University's own form. | Required |
Important Document Guidelines
Which Qatar Visa Do You Need?
All degree students use the same visa: a student residence visa, then a residence permit. What changes is how your university collects your papers.
Key Features
Your university tells you how to get your visa.
At Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q), the university applies online for you. You do not need to visit an embassy.
The residence permit is made after you land. The timing is in the questions on this page.
While you study, a body takes responsibility for your stay in Qatar. Qatar University does this for its own students. For new Georgetown University in Qatar students it is Qatar Foundation (QF), the group that runs Education City.
Eligibility Requirements
- An offer from a Qatar university.
- A passport valid long enough: 6 months after you enter Qatar at Northwestern University in Qatar, or 1 year at Qatar University.
- A financial sponsor: someone else, such as a parent, who agrees to pay your costs.
- Passing Qatar's medical check after you land.
Restrictions
- You cannot leave Qatar until your residence permit is done, except in an emergency.
- Your residence permit is cancelled when you graduate or leave your studies.
| Point | Qatar University (QU) | Education City universities |
|---|---|---|
| Who applies | Qatar University's admissions office | Your university. Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) applies for you. |
| Your part | Fill in Qatar University's online visa form and upload papers | Upload papers on your university's student portal |
| Visa form fee | No fee | Ask your university |
| Money proof | Financial sponsor's declaration and 6 months of bank statements, plus a bank guarantee if the sponsor lives in Qatar | Ask your university |
You do not choose a visa type. Your university picks it and applies. Your job is to send complete papers on time.
Useful Links and Common Questions
Links to university visa pages, and answers to the questions students ask most.
Qatar University (QU)
Education City Universities
After You Land
Get your offer and accept your place.
Send your passport scan, medical form and money papers to your university.
Receive your visa by email. Then book your flight.
Land in Doha and hand in your passport and photos.
Do the medical check and fingerprints. Collect your Qatar ID (QID).
Need More Help?
Each university has its own list. Follow your university's emails, and ask its international office if you are unsure.
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