Indian Nurses in Qatar: Your Skills Are in High Demand
Qatar's healthcare sector is growing fast and Indian nurses are at the heart of it. QCHP registration, verified roles, and salary data for 2026.
Indian nurses have built a reputation across the Gulf for clinical competence, compassion, and professionalism. Qatar's healthcare system has noticed - and they're not just recruiting, they're actively competing for qualified Indian nurses against UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the UK.
Qatar's National Health Strategy 2024-2030 is the most ambitious healthcare expansion the country has undertaken. New hospitals, specialist centres, and primary care facilities are opening across Doha and beyond - and every one of them needs qualified nursing staff before they can operate.
This guide tells you exactly what it takes to get a nursing job in Qatar, what to expect when you get there, and how to give yourself the strongest possible application.
The Scale of Qatar's Healthcare Expansion
Qatar currently has approximately 12,000 active hospital beds. The National Health Strategy targets a significant increase to serve a growing population and support Qatar's medical tourism ambitions.
Key facilities under construction or recently opened:
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Sidra Medicine Phase 2 - one of the most advanced women's and children's hospitals in the region
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Hamad General Hospital expansion - adding specialist capacity in cardiology, oncology, and orthopaedics
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Al Wakra Hospital Phase 2 - expanding to serve southern Qatar's growing population
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Primary health centre network expansion - adding 20+ facilities across Doha and surrounding areas
Each of these facilities generates demand for nursing staff across specialisations.
Who Can Apply: Eligibility Requirements
Basic qualifications
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B.Sc Nursing or GNM from a recognised Indian university
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Registered with Indian Nursing Council (INC)
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Minimum 2 years post-qualification clinical experience
Prometric Exam (mandatory for Qatar MOH licensing): Qatar requires all foreign nurses to pass the Qatar Prometric Exam - a computer-based clinical knowledge assessment. The exam covers nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, and speciality topics depending on your application area.
Passing score: 65% minimum (some employers require 70%)
The exam is administered at Prometric testing centres across India. Registration is done through the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners (QCHP).
DataFlow verification (mandatory): DataFlow verifies your nursing degree, internship, and registration directly with your institution and the Indian Nursing Council. This process is mandatory and must be initiated before your Qatar MOH licensing application can be processed.
The Prometric Exam: What to Expect
The Prometric exam is the step that most delays or derails Indian nurses' Qatar applications - not because it's impossibly hard, but because candidates underestimate it or prepare without structure.
Exam structure
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100-150 multiple choice questions (varies by specialisation)
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Time: 2 hours
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Computer-based at an authorised testing centre
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Question style: scenario-based, not just recall
Preparation resources
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Saunders Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN (widely used by Indian candidates)
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Qatar MOH-specific question banks (available from licensed coaching centres)
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Practice test sites like ATI Nursing Education and Nurseslabs
Most candidates who prepare for 8-12 weeks consistently achieve passing scores. Candidates who attempt the exam without preparation have a high failure rate and must wait 90 days before retaking.
Strategy tip: Start your DataFlow application and Prometric registration simultaneously. DataFlow takes 3-8 weeks. Your Prometric preparation can happen in parallel so you're ready to sit the exam as soon as DataFlow completes.
Salary and Benefits: What Qatar Actually Pays
| Role | Monthly Salary (QAR) | Approx. ₹ Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Staff Nurse (2-4 yrs experience) | 5,000-7,000 | ₹1,15,000-₹1,61,000 |
| Senior/Specialist Nurse (5+ yrs) | 7,000-10,000 | ₹1,61,000-₹2,30,000 |
| Charge Nurse / Nurse Supervisor | 9,000-13,000 | ₹2,07,000-₹2,99,000 |
| ICU / NICU / CCU Nurse | 7,500-11,000 | ₹1,72,500-₹2,53,000 |
| OT / Specialist Nurse | 7,000-10,500 | ₹1,61,000-₹2,41,500 |
1 QAR ≈ ₹23 (April 2026)
Standard benefits package
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Free accommodation (or housing allowance of QAR 1,000-2,000/month)
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Free transport to and from facility
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Annual return flight ticket to India
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Comprehensive health insurance
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30 days annual leave after one year
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End-of-service gratuity
Effective monthly savings after accommodation and food: QAR 3,500-7,000 for most candidates.
The Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: DataFlow Application
Submit your nursing degree, INC registration, and all employment records to DataFlow for verification. This costs approximately ₹8,000-12,000 and takes 3-8 weeks.
Step 2: Prometric Registration and Exam
Register with QCHP, choose a testing centre in India, and prepare for 8-12 weeks. Pay the exam fee (~$150 USD equivalent). Sit and pass the exam (minimum 65%).
Step 3: Job Application
Apply to Qatar hospitals or licensed RLA agencies with your DataFlow report, Prometric result, INC registration, and complete CV. Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Sidra Medicine, and Al Ahli Hospital are the largest employers and conduct direct India recruitment drives.
Step 4: Qatar MOH Licensing
Your employer initiates the licensing process after your job offer is confirmed. This typically takes 3-4 weeks. You receive a Provisional Licence allowing you to practice while the full licence is processed.
Step 5: Visa, Medical, and Arrival
Employer-sponsored visa processing, GAMCA medical clearance in India, travel, and residence permit stamping in Qatar.
Tips That Give You an Edge
Specialist experience matters: ICU, NICU, CCU, OT, and ER experience command the highest salaries and fastest placements. If you have specialist experience, highlight it prominently and apply specifically for specialist roles - not just general staff nurse positions.
Get HAAD or DHA (UAE) licensure if you have it: Candidates who already hold a Gulf nursing licence from UAE's DHA or Abu Dhabi's HAAD have a streamlined pathway to Qatar MOH licensing. Mutual recognition agreements reduce the documentation burden.
Start DataFlow early, always: DataFlow is the single biggest timeline variable. Every month you delay starting it is a month added to your placement timeline.
Your skills are valued and needed.
Browse verified Qatar nursing and allied health openings on skilledupIndia.