Visa Service Office opened for Qatar’s free zones

The Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) and the General Directorate of Passports at the Ministry of Interior (MoI) have jointly inaugurated the new Ras Bufontas Free Zone Visa Service Office, which will address the evolving needs of the growing business community in Qatar’s free zones and create a more conducive investment environment while facilitating the completion of operating companies’ procedures.

QFZ CEO Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Faisal al-Thani and Major General Mohamed Ahmed al-Atiq al-Dosari, Director General of Passports, jointly inaugurated the new Visa Service Office in a ceremony attended by senior officials from both organisations.

The opening of the service office represents a new achievement in QFZ’s efforts to empower the investors and company community in the free zones by helping them finalise all transactions easily and conveniently, a statement said.

The office offers a comprehensive range of services, including residence permit renewal, issuance, and extension, work visas, family visits, multi-entry visas, and employer change among other services.

Additionally, investors and companies can conveniently issue or renew their company registration using their residence or visa number only. The office will also feature a dedicated traffic services section for issuing, renewing, and transferring driving licenses effortlessly.

Sheikh Mohamed said: “The launch of the visa office is a key step in our ongoing efforts and strategy to create a more attractive investment environment in Qatar’s free zones. By streamlining processes and enhancing services, we aim to facilitate business operations for companies and investors, supporting their growth and expansion both regionally and internationally. This aligns with our commitment to sustainable economic development and Qatar National Vision 2030, reinforcing the appeal of our free zones as a prime global investment destination.”

Al-Dosari added: “This visa service office will establish a new standard for the approval process, ensuring faster turnaround times for investors’ requests, as it will operate from 7.30am to 1pm, taking into account the possibility of extending working hours according to the operational needs and free zones work requirements.”

The office is also equipped with state-of-the-art technology and machines to provide unique services and will have experienced teams to accommodate investors and companies in the free zones. In addition, there will be specialised staff and technicians to facilitate fingerprinting and eye scanning.

The collaboration between QFZ and the General Directorate of Passports at the MOI comes as part of QFZ’s ongoing efforts to create a conducive business environment for investors supported by the latest essential services.

With over 600 companies already licensed to operate in its free zones in Qatar, the authority remains committed to providing exceptional services and competitive advantages to attract more investors and businesses. It is also committed to promoting investment by focusing on fostering growth in key business sectors such as emerging technology, logistics and trade, manufacturing and consumer products, Marsa maritime development, aviation and defence, food and agritech, and biomedical sciences, the statement added.