To travel to Qatar, you will need a visa throughout the duration of your stay. There are different types of visas for Qatar, and these apply according to the nature of the trip. Thus, you are advised to inquire about the related procedures with the Qatari embassy or consulate in your home country or directly from the Qatari government.
Tourism visas for Qatar
The Qatari government offers visas on arrival for citizens of 80 countries.
You are eligible for up to a total of 90 days either during a single trip or during multiple trips across a 180-day period if you hold a passport for one of the following countries:
Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey.
Nationals of the following countries are eligible for a 30-day visa on arrival, which can also be extended for an additional 30 days:
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Georgia, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Maldives, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Republic of Macedonia, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Suriname, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela.
Nationals from Pakistan are also now eligible for visa-free arrival if they meet certain conditions:
- The passenger's passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the departure date from Qatar;
- The passenger must have a confirmed return ticket;
- The passenger must have a valid credit card;
- The visa will be granted for 30 days free of charge and is extendable for a similar period only once after confirming the return ticket;
- Passengers should provide a confirmed hotel reservation;
- Passengers arriving directly from Pakistan should have a certificate of vaccination against polio.
Otherwise, you are required to apply for a tourist visa from the Qatari embassy or consulate in your home country, on the Qatari government official website, or during your hotel booking before traveling. Note that fees amount to QR 100 and must be paid on a valid credit or debit card. You will not be able to pay in cash at the immigration counter. The tourist visa has a one-month validity and is renewable once for QR 200. You will need to visit the Abu Hamour immigration office to renew your visa. However, please note that opening times may vary. An immigration official at the airport will be able to assist you in locating the appropriate place.
If your stay is longer than two months, it is commonplace for some expats to embark on 'visa runs'. This is simply the process of traveling to another destination (possibly Kuwait or Oman) before the expiry of your visa and re-entering Qatar to gain a new visa on arrival. Theoretically, this process can be done indefinitely. However, please be aware that if you are in the middle of applying for a permanent residency visa in Qatar, you will not be allowed to leave the country until the process has been completed.
Important:
Once this deadline has expired, you will pay an additional fee of QR 200 per additional day for the renewal. Furthermore, Qatar Airways, which is the national airline company, now provides an online application system for the tourist visa on its website. The application must be submitted after confirming your flight to Doha. The visa will then be issued within 10 days.
Good to know:
Those wishing to travel freely between Qatar and Oman are required to apply for a Joint Tourist Visa.
Business visas for Qatar
If you are going on a business trip to Qatar, it is best to apply for a business visa. This short-term visa will also allow you to work temporarily in the country. However, its validity will depend on the length of your stay in the country. The application can be made upon your arrival in Qatar. In general, the visa will have a 72 hours validity period which can be extended only once. You must also produce a document regarding the purpose of your visit.
You can also request a three-month visa if you intend to make a long business trip to Qatar. Your host company will then fill out all the related formalities on your behalf. Fees of QR 200 apply.
A business visa for Qatar is suitable for individuals traveling to Qatar for business-related activities, such as meetings, conferences, or trade events. Here are the key points to know about obtaining a business visa for Qatar:
Sponsorship
A Qatari company or organization must sponsor your business visa. This means that the company or organization inviting you to Qatar will be responsible for your visa application and sponsorship on your behalf. They will submit the necessary documents and provide sponsorship information to the relevant Qatari authorities, such as the Ministry of Interior. The application process can take some time, so it's advisable to initiate the visa application well in advance of your intended travel dates.
The specific documents required for a business visa for Qatar may vary but typically include the following:
- A valid passport with a minimum validity of six months beyond the intended stay in Qatar;
- A completed visa application form;
- Passport-sized photographs;
- Copy of the sponsoring company's commercial registration;
- An invitation letter from the sponsoring company stating the purpose of your visit and the duration of your stay;
- Additional documents may be required based on the specific circumstances and the Qatari authorities' requirements.
Visa duration
Business visas for Qatar typically allow for a stay of up to 30 days. However, it may be possible to extend the visa for an additional 30 days if needed.
Work activities
It's important to note that a business visa does not permit individuals to work or engage in employment in Qatar. If you need to work in Qatar, you would typically require a work visa, which involves a separate process and additional requirements.
It's recommended to contact the Qatari embassy or consulate in your home country or the sponsoring company/organization in Qatar for specific information and guidance regarding the business visa application process. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information based on your individual circumstances.
It's advisable to stay updated on the latest travel advisories and guidelines provided by the Qatari government and authorities to ensure compliance with the necessary health and safety protocols.
Family visit visas for Qatar
If you wish to visit family members residing in Qatar, you can apply for a family visit visa. The price of a Qatar family visit visa is fixed at QAR 200 and QAR 50 for each registered companion or dependent per month.
A family visit visa for Qatar allows individuals to visit their family members who are residents or citizens of Qatar. Here are the key points to know about obtaining a family visit visa for Qatar:
Sponsorship
A family member who is a resident or citizen of Qatar must sponsor your visit visa. This can be your spouse, parent, child, sibling, or any other close relative who meets the sponsorship criteria. The sponsoring family member in Qatar will initiate the visit visa application process on your behalf. They will submit the necessary documents and provide sponsorship information to the relevant Qatari authorities. The application process can take some time, so it's advisable to initiate the visa application well in advance of your intended travel dates.
Required documents
The specific documents required for a family visit visa in Qatar may vary but typically include the following:
- A valid passport with a minimum validity of six months beyond the intended stay in Qatar;
- Completed visa application form;
- Passport-sized photographs;
- Copy of the sponsoring family member's Qatari ID card or passport;
- Proof of relationship, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or other relevant documents;
- An invitation letter from the sponsoring family member stating the purpose of your visit and the duration of your stay.
Additional documents may be required based on the specific circumstances and the Qatari authorities' requirements, for example, a copy of your host's lease agreement or a letter from your host's employer (stating your host's salary).
Visa duration
Family visit visas for Qatar typically allow for a stay of up to 30 days. However, it may be possible to extend the visa for an additional 30 days if needed.
Accommodation and financial support
As part of the visa application process, you may be required to provide proof of accommodation arrangements and financial support during your stay in Qatar. This can include hotel bookings, an invitation letter stating that the sponsoring family member will cover your expenses, or bank statements showing sufficient funds.
It's recommended to contact the Qatari embassy or consulate in your home country or the sponsoring family member in Qatar for specific information and guidance regarding the family visit visa application process. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information based on your individual circumstances.
Good to know:
The application can be made at the Qatar Immigration office or on the official government website, Hukoomi.
Student visa for Qatar
Foreigners wishing to study in Qatar should apply for a student visa. However, an admission confirmation letter from a Qatari university or other higher education institution is essential. You will obtain a one-month visa on your arrival in Qatar. The Qatar student visa is free of charge. However, you will need to prove that you have sufficient funding for your studies.
Thereafter, you are required to apply for a residence permit within a month following your arrival in the country. The following documents are required:
- Results of a medical examination;
- Your blood group;
- A record of your fingerprints;
- Your university (or other higher education institution) confirmation letter;
- Your letter of admission;
- Three passport-type ID photos;
- Your passport;
- Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in the country.
Important:
Upon registering with Qatar University, a deposit amounting to some QR 20,000 will be required. This sum will be retained for 2 years in a Qatari bank account.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
