Georgetown University: School of Foreign Service in Qatar

The following are the required documents to submit to Margaret Cerrato in Washington, D.C. or Hussein Aldobashi in Doha:

• a copy of your passport and those of your spouse and other dependents who will be relocating with you
• NOTE: Passports must be valid for 6 months after your arrival date in Qatar.
• copies of the highest academic degree or certificate for yourself and any
• dependent who intends to work in Qatar, or join you in Qatar 
• a marriage certificate if your spouse will be relocating with you
• copies of birth certificates of children who will be relocating with you
• results of the initial medical testing (details below) for yourself and dependents relocating with you
• a police clearance (details below) for you and dependents relocating with you

Other Documents to Bring to Qatar:

• an international driver’s license (in the U.S., available through AAA)
• a valid driver’s license from your country of origin
• school and immunization records for children who will attend school in Qatar

Required Home Country Medical Testing and Statement of Fitness:

Before moving to Qatar, certain medical documentation is required. The tests are repeated in Qatar (see below). However, having the tests done beforehand helps expedite residency permit applications. They will both inform the employee of the presence of disease and could be submitted if an applicant wishes to challenge the results of the medical tests carried out by the Qatar Immigration Department.

• blood type (for employees and all dependents regardless of age)
• a chest X-ray and negative testing for HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis B and C (for employees and all dependents 14 years and over who will be relocating)
• a "statement of fitness to work" on a physician’s letterhead (for employees only)

For employees originating from Washington, D.C., Georgetown has an agreement with the Farragut Medical Clinic that allows you to be tested at no cost. (You may also use your own physician for these tests and be reimbursed for the costs.) To schedule an appointment, contact the clinic at the following address and telephone:

Farragut Medical Clinic
815 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
202 775-8500

Police Clearances and Fingerprinting:

A police clearance consisting of a criminal background check and fingerprinting are required for a residence permit for employees, dependents intending to work, and dependent children aged 18 and over. The process varies depending on the citizenship and country of origin of applicants.

U.S. Citizens:

Method One

• Go to a local police station and request a criminal background check and fingerprinting for an overseas work visa. You will need to bring a fingerprint card, which can be obtained from Margaret Cerrato, with you.
• Take the background check to be notarized. The fingerprints do not need to be notarized but must be attached to the notarized background check.
• Send this paperwork to the Secretary of State of your state of residence for authentication. Margaret can provide you with information regarding different state processes and addresses. Please visit the NASS Roster Page to obtain addresses of the Secretary of State of individual states in the U.S.
• When the authenticated paperwork is returned to you, mail or bring it to Margaret Cerrato, who will take it to the U.S. State Department and Qatar Embassy.

Method Two

• You may bypass some of the steps above by applying for a police clearance directly from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).  This is also the process you would take to obtain a U.S. Police Clearance if you are already outside of the United States.  The details are outlined on the Police Clearances page.

Non-U.S. Citizens Originating from the U.S.:

Contact Margaret Cerrato in the SFS-Qatar Washington Operations Office for information.

Employees Originating from Outside the U.S.:

Our page on Police Clearances has information on obtaining a clearance if you are outside of the United States.  You may also contact Hussein Aldobashi in SFS-Qatar Human Resources in Doha for information. The best way to get documents to Hussein is to scan and email them to his email address.

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