How to Work and Immigrate to Qatar as a Dentist?

Step1. Credential Verification

Ask yourself: “Are you eligible to immigrate to Qatar as a dentist?” To work in Qatar as a dentist, you must go through PSV (Primary Source Verification). It is a critical process in Qatar’s healthcare sector, ensuring the authenticity of healthcare professionals’ qualifications and credentials. The Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners (QCHP) is responsible for this process.

To practice dentistry in Qatar, you must have:

• It’s important to get a dental degree from an accredited school.
• Work experience of usually two to five years
• Professional liability insurance. It covers legal claims for malpractice and accidents. Qatar has many providers, including Qatar Insurance Company, Doha Insurance Group, and Al Khaleej Takaful Group.

The key steps for dental qualification registration in Qatar through QCHP include:

1. Credential Verification (Primary Source Verification – PSV). For verification, submit all your dental education documentation, including your degree, transcripts, and other applicable certifications. These documents are authenticated directly with the issuing institutions by the QCHP using a PSV process. Required documents for Qatar Primary Source Verification include;
   1. The Transcript of Records (TOR) from your local board exam. Ensure you have all the pages, including the RLE record.
   2. Working experience
   3. A colored passport-sized photo
   4. A copy of your passport
   5. Evidence of professional registration in your country.
2. Submission of Additional Documents. Give evidence of your employment history, usually in reference letters from former employers. Please provide an up-to-date copy of your relevant professional registration or license from your country of origin or most recent place of practice.
3. Completion of DataFlow Process. Verify education and professional credentials with DataFlow. It is QCHP’s third-party background check company.
4. Application for Evaluation. You can apply for an evaluation through the QCHP’s online portal. You’ll have to fill out an application and upload all the documents.
5. Payment of Fees. Pay the registration and evaluation fees. It’s usually between 1000 and 3000 QAR.
6. Scheduling and Passing the Licensing Examination. If you must take the QCHP licensing exam, schedule it and pass it.
7. Issuance of the Practice License. QCHP will issue you a practice license after passing the exam and fulfilling all other requirements.

Read this PDF to learn more about the Registration/Evaluation Process.

Step 2. Language Proficiency

To immigrate to Qatar as a dentist, proficiency in both English and Arabic is important.

• English Language Proficiency. The required level ranges from intermediate to advanced. Accepted tests include IELTS ( minimum band of 6 to 7), TOEFL (80-100 on the internet-based test), and OET (the level varies).
• Arabic Language Proficiency. The required level varies from basic to intermediate. Accepted tests include ALPT (Arabic Language Proficiency Test) and certificates from accredited language institutions.

Step 3. Securing a Job Offer

You must get a job to immigrate to Qatar as a dentist. You can find dental jobs in Qatar through online job portals, recruitment agencies, or direct applications to hospitals and clinics.

Online Job Portals

• Bayt
• GulfTalent
• Naukrigulf
• Qatar Living Jobs
• Monster Gulf

Qatari Recruitment Agencies

• Michael Page Qatar
• Brunel Qatar
• B2C Solutions
• Qatar Manpower Agency
• Alahad Group Qatar Recruitment Agency

Famous Hospitals and Clinics for Direct Applications

• Hamad Medical Corporation
• Sidra Medicine
• Al-Ahli Hospital
• Doha Clinic Hospital
• Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital

Step 4. Work Visa and Residence Permit

Work visas are easy to get if you have a job offer. Most employers in Qatar will sponsor your Qatar work visa and help you apply. You’ll have to get a residency permit when you arrive in Qatar. Here’s how it works:

Obtaining a Qatar Work Visa

1. Employers submit work visa requests to Qatar’s Ministry of Interior.
2. Ensure your employer has all the documents they need, like a copy of your passport, education certificates, and professional licenses.
3. Your employer sends the visa application to the Ministry of Interior. A labor contract and other documents are included.
4. The Ministry of Interior reviews and processes the visa application. A security clearance may be needed at this stage.
5. Once approved, you get an entry visa to travel to Qatar. Entry visas are stamped in passports when you arrive.

Obtaining a Qatar Residence Permit

1. Once you arrive, your employer will start the residency application. It’s usually done soon after you get here.
2. You might need to provide additional paperwork, like marriage certificates, birth certificates, etc., especially if you’re applying for family status.
3. You’ll have to go through a comprehensive medical exam and biometric fingerprinting.
4. Your Qatar Residence Permit (QRP) will be issued once all formalities are done and your application is approved. Permits usually last 1-3 years and are renewable.
5. As well as the residence permit, you’ll get a Qatar ID card, essential for living and working there.

Step 5. Professional Licensing Exam

Depending on your application, you may be required to pass a Qatar dental license exam or complete a certain amount of supervised practice to immigrate to Qatar as a dentist and practice dentistry in the country.

The Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners (QCHP) conducts the professional licensing exam for dentists in Qatar. It is commonly called the “QCHP Licensing Exam” or “QCHP Dental Licensing Exam.”

1. Using the QCHP portal, you can apply for the licensing exam after verifying your documents.
2. QCHP will tell you how much to pay for your exam.
3. Focus on clinical knowledge and skills in dentistry as you prepare for the exam.
4. Schedule your exam after you get accepted.
5. Attend the exam on time and at the scheduled date. There’s usually a theoretical and practical component to the exam.
6. Wait for the QCHP exam results. You can practice dentistry in Qatar if you pass.

Note:

You might have to complete supervised practice depending on your educational background or work experience.

Step 6. Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

You have to do CPD to keep your dental license in Qatar. It involves attending conferences, workshops, seminars, and online courses and engaging in research to stay on top of the latest in dental science and practice. Make sure you keep detailed records of your CPD. If you renew your license, you must show proof of your CPD.

Step 7. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

• Learn about Qatari laws and regulations related to healthcare and dentistry. Patient confidentiality laws, consent laws, and treatment standards are included.
• Respect the Qatar Ministry of Public Health’s ethical standards for dental practice. Keeping patients informed, getting informed consent, and avoiding conflicts of interest are all part of that.
• Make sure your patient records are accurate and detailed. Professional practice depends on proper documentation, not just for legal purposes.
• Healthcare laws and regulations can change, so it’s important to stay up to date. Participating in professional forums or consulting legal resources regularly can help.