Embassy of India
Doha

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Advisory for students  arriving for university education in Qatar

          Qatar hosts several higher education institutions that admit foreign students including sizable expatriate community in Qatar.  Under Qatar Foundation, apart from  Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), 7 American/international universities have their off-shore campuses in Qatar which offer US degrees. These are: Georgetown University,  Northwestern University,  Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts,  Texas A&M University,  Carnegie Mellon University, HEC Paris in Qatar and Weill Cornell Medicine. Most of the students in these campuses are Qatari nationals, though students from other countries including India are also there. 

2.       Out of the total population of Qatar of about 31,00,000 in 2024, almost 26-27 lakhs are expatriates though many are workers who do not have families in Qatar. The Indian community in Qatar stands at about 8,30,000 which includes about 45,000 Indian students enrolled in schools in Qatar. There are 19 Indian schools and a branch of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) in Qatar. A little more than 1000 Indian students are currently studying in different Qatar universities which includes about 175 students in SPPU. Qatar University is the largest university in Qatar and about 300 Indian students are enrolled there.

3.       International students who do not hold a valid State of Qatar residence permit (excluding GCC citizens) must apply for a student visa. It can be applied online at qatarevisaonline.com. In most of the cases documents required would include a letter of confirmation from the respective college, passport (valid for six months after completion of studies), financial documents proving ability to pay student fees and a health check report.

4.       Visit Qatar provides useful information about the requirements to be met with before undertaking travel to Qatar.(https://visitqatar.com/intl-en/about-qatar/education/student-assistance/visas-and-permits#:~:text=Visa%<20requirements%3A&text=Documents%20required%20include%20a%20letter,%2Dray%2C%20HIV%20test).

5.       Before filling out the visa application form, the website of the relevant universities should also be checked for specific information about the documents required and for details about admissible scholarships for international students and how to apply for the same. The Universities have the right to request for extra documents based on the student's status. Obtaining a student visa is subject to approval by the concerned authorities. Some of the Universities also request for health evaluation forms and Police Clearance Certificate issued by the authorities in student’s country of their residence.

6.       Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education keeps providing lists of higher education institutions available in Qatar on their website at: https://www.edu.gov.qa/en/Content/HigherEducationinQatar. Students may refer this website for any update or revision. 

7.       It may also be noted that cost of living in Qatar is higher than in India and accommodation would also be more expensive compared to India. Students are advised to familiarise themselves with the general living conditions in Qatar.

8.       It is advised that students may also register with Indian Embassy in Doha. Students may also remain in touch with Embassy and Indian community organizations for any advice or help. The relevant contacts in this regard are as follows:

          Embassy of India: edu.doha@mea.gov.in

          Indian Cultural Centre (ICC): iccqatar@gmail.com

          Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF): icbfqatar@gmail.com

Click here for the list of universities in Qatar, with their website address for ready reference.

Click here for Students Handbook for Studying Abroad : Students Handbook for Studying Abroad