What was Metrash2?
Metrash2 was the official smartphone application of Qatar's Ministry of Interior (MOI), available on iOS and Android. It acted as the primary self-service channel through which residents and citizens completed a wide range of government transactions without visiting a physical service centre, putting the full catalogue of MOI services directly on a mobile phone.
The name comes from the Arabic root for outreach, reflecting the ministry's aim of bringing services to the user rather than requiring trips to government offices. Metrash2 was switched off by MOI Qatar on 1 March 2025 and replaced by the new official Metrash app, which expands on more than 440 services and adds a digital QID wallet. Anyone still looking for Metrash2 today should download Metrash instead; registration requires a QID and a SIM registered to that QID.
What Metrash2 was responsible for
The retired app consolidated the most commonly used resident-facing MOI services into a single interface:
- Qatar ID (QID) management - checking ID validity, tracking renewal status, and downloading a digital copy of the QID for use at banks and clinics.
- Residence permit status - viewing permit details, expiry dates, and any outstanding actions required by the resident or their sponsor.
- Traffic services - checking and paying traffic fines, viewing points recorded against a driving licence, and completing certain vehicle-related transactions.
- Dependent and household management - applying for dependent entry permits, renewing domestic worker permits, and managing sponsorship actions for family members.
- Exit and re-entry permits - applying for travel permissions where still required and checking the approval status of pending applications.
- Fee payment - settling government service fees and outstanding fines using integrated payment options.
- Push notifications - receiving alerts when transactions are approved, rejected, or when a document such as the QID is nearing its expiry date.
How to use Metrash today
- Download Metrash from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store by searching for Metrash. Metrash2 is no longer available or functional.
- Register using your QID number and a valid Qatari mobile number registered to that QID; a one-time verification code is sent by SMS to confirm the number.
- Log in using your credentials or device biometrics if supported.
- Browse services by category: Residency, Traffic, Passports, Dependents, and so on.
- Select the transaction you need, review the document checklist displayed on screen, and upload or confirm the required files.
- Pay any applicable fees within the app using a linked credit or debit card or an approved payment method.
- Track the status of your application in the app and wait for the approval notification to arrive on your registered number.
Most routine renewals and status checks are completed entirely within the app. For actions that require a physical presence - such as biometric capture or card collection - the app displays the relevant service-centre details and instructions. Confirm the current list of available transactions and fees inside the app, as both are updated periodically by MOI.
What expats use Metrash for now
For expatriates in Qatar, Metrash (the successor to Metrash2) is among the most frequently opened apps in daily life. Common use cases include quickly checking whether a QID renewal initiated by a sponsor has been approved, paying a traffic fine before a driving licence renewal, applying for a family entry permit for a spouse or child arriving from abroad, confirming exit-permit status before an international trip, and downloading a soft copy of the QID to share with a bank or medical facility. The app is also the fastest way to spot that a residence permit is approaching expiry and action is needed before it lapses. Because a Qatari SIM card registered to your QID is required for registration, arranging a local number as soon as possible after arriving is a practical first step for new residents.