Qatari passport holders no longer need a Canadian visitor visa. Since late 2025, citizens of Qatar can travel to Canada by air with just an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) — a CAD 7 online authorization that most applicants receive within minutes.
The change was announced by the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and came into force at 5:30 a.m. EST on 25 November 2025. For Qatari travellers planning a 2026 trip — whether for tourism, business, or visiting family — it means skipping the paperwork-heavy Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) process entirely.
If you’re planning your trip, you can already start searching flights to Toronto, flights to Montreal, or flights to Vancouver on Wego, and compare hotels in Toronto alongside the eTA application.
Here’s exactly what’s changed, how to apply without getting scammed, and a critical note for Qatar-based expats on other passports.
What changed on 25 November 2025
Qatar was added to Canada’s list of eTA-eligible countries, meaning Qatari citizens no longer need a traditional visitor visa to enter Canada. The regulatory change was published in the Canada Gazette, Part 2 and took effect the same morning.
The shift reflects growing ties between the two countries — bilateral trade reached approximately CAN $325 million in 2024, and Canada welcomed around 9,000 Qatari visitors that year, an 11.5% jump from 2023.
Key things to know
- Effective date: 25 November 2025, 5:30 a.m. EST
- Who benefits: Citizens of Qatar holding a valid Qatari passport
- What you need now: An eTA (not a TRV) for travel to Canada by air
- Cost: CAD 7 per application
- Validity: Up to 5 years, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first
- Existing visa holders: Qatari citizens who already hold a valid Canadian visitor visa can keep using it until it expires
The eTA is an electronic record linked to your passport. You won’t get a sticker or stamp — approval arrives by email.
Canada eTA vs TRV: what’s actually different for Qatari travellers
Before 25 November 2025, Qatari citizens had to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — a physical visa sticker placed in the passport, requiring supporting documents and often weeks of processing. The eTA replaces that process entirely for air travel.
Here’s how the two stack up:
| Feature | eTA (new for Qataris) | TRV (old system) |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Digital, linked to passport | Physical sticker in passport |
| Cost | CAD 7 | CAD 100 processing fee + CAD 85 biometrics (single or multiple entry) |
| Processing time | Usually minutes | Typically several weeks |
| Supporting documents | None required upfront | Bank statements, employment proof, travel history |
| Biometrics | Not required | Required at a visa application centre |
| Valid for | Up to 5 years or passport expiry | Up to 10 years or passport expiry |
| Modes of entry | Air travel only | Air, land, sea |
For most Qatari travellers flying via Qatar Airways from Hamad International Airport to Toronto Pearson or Montreal, the eTA is the route you’ll use. The TRV only becomes relevant if you’re crossing into Canada by land from the US or arriving by cruise.
How to apply for the Canada eTA from Qatar
The application is entirely online and takes around 10–15 minutes to complete. There’s no appointment, no interview, and no in-person biometric submission.
What you need before you start
- A valid Qatari passport (must remain valid through your stay in Canada)
- A valid credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express)
- A working email address
- Your travel details, if already booked (flight and accommodation not mandatory to apply)
Step-by-step application
- Go to the official Government of Canada eTA page at canada.ca/eTA. The URL must end in .gc.ca.
- Complete the online application form. You cannot save progress, so have your passport and card ready.
- Answer the background questions (criminal history, medical conditions, prior Canadian immigration issues).
- Pay the CAD 7 fee by credit or debit card.
- Wait for approval by email. Most decisions arrive within minutes; some can take up to 72 hours if further documents are needed.
Once approved, the eTA is electronically linked to the exact passport you applied with. You don’t need to print anything, but it’s wise to save the confirmation email.
Applying for family members
You can only apply and pay for one person at a time. Each traveller — including children — needs their own eTA linked to their own passport.
Avoid the CAD $107 eTA scam: use only canada.ca/eTA
This is the single biggest pitfall for first-time applicants. Scam websites buy Google Ads that appear above the official Government of Canada result, then charge “processing fees” of CAD 100–150 — more than 14 times the real price — for a service the government charges CAD 7 for.
A widely reported 2025 case saw a student charged USD 107 through a fraudulent site that mimicked the official portal. The Government of Canada has issued explicit warnings about these operations.
How to know you’re on the real site
- The URL ends in .gc.ca (specifically
canada.ca/eTAorircc.canada.ca) - The fee is exactly CAD 7 — nothing more
- There is no “expedited” or “priority” upgrade offered
- You’re not asked to pay a “service fee” or “agency fee” on top of the application fee
Qatar residents on other passports: the rule that trips up expats
This is critical for the large expat community in Doha. The visa waiver applies to Qatari citizens only — not to foreign residents of Qatar.
If you live in Qatar but hold an Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Egyptian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Nepali, or any other non-Qatari passport, your entry requirements for Canada are determined by your nationality — not your Qatar residence permit.
What this means in practice
- Indian passport holders residing in Qatar still need a Canadian TRV (visitor visa) — not an eTA
- Filipino passport holders in Qatar still need a TRV
- Egyptian passport holders in Qatar still need a TRV
- Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan passport holders in Qatar still need a TRV
There is one important exception: travellers who already hold a valid Canadian visa or who have held one in the past 10 years, and who are flying through the US with a valid US nonimmigrant visa, may be eligible for an eTA under a separate IRCC expansion. Check eligibility at canada.ca/eTA eligibility.
For everyone else, the TRV process still involves biometric submission at a VFS Global centre in Doha, supporting documents, and processing timelines of several weeks.
Planning your Canada trip from Doha in 2026
With the visa barrier removed, Qatari travellers can realistically book a Canada trip on shorter notice than before — the eTA’s near-instant approval means there’s no need to plan months ahead.
Direct routes from Doha
Qatar Airways is the only carrier flying non-stop between Doha and Canada, serving both Toronto and Montreal. Before the regional disruption, the airline moved to daily Doha–Toronto service on 27 October 2025 and operated around five weekly flights between Doha and Montreal.
As of April 2026, Qatar Airways is rebuilding its network after a temporary suspension triggered by regional airspace closures. Flights resumed on 15 March 2026 and are gradually expanding, with the airline aiming to restore its full 150+ destination network from 16 June 2026. Toronto and Montreal frequencies are currently running below normal levels, so check live schedules before booking.
For the latest schedule status, see our Qatar Airways flight status guide.
For travellers heading further west, connections through Toronto or European hubs reach Vancouver and Calgary.
When to go
- Summer (June–August): Best weather, peak prices, longest daylight hours
- Autumn (September–October): Fall foliage, moderate prices, mild temperatures
- Winter (December–February): Ski season in Banff and Whistler, aurora viewing
- Spring (April–May): Shoulder-season deals, blooming landscapes
For accommodation, compare hotels in Toronto, hotels in Montreal, and hotels in Vancouver on Wego.
What you can do during your stay
The eTA allows stays of up to six months per entry, for tourism, visiting family, or short-term business meetings. It does not permit paid work or enrolment in academic programmes longer than six months — those require a separate work or study permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Qatari citizens still need a visa for Canada in 2026?
No. Since 25 November 2025, Qatari citizens travelling to Canada by air only need an eTA, which costs CAD 7 and is usually approved within minutes.
How long does the Canada eTA take to process?
Most eTAs are approved within minutes of submission. A small number of applications are flagged for additional review, which can take up to 72 hours.
Can an Indian or Filipino resident of Qatar use the new eTA rule?
No. The visa waiver applies only to Qatari citizens. Residents of Qatar holding Indian, Filipino, Egyptian, Pakistani, or other non-Qatari passports must still apply for a Canadian TRV based on their nationality.
What if I already have a valid Canadian visitor visa?
You can continue using it until it expires or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. You do not need to apply for an eTA separately while your visa is valid.
Is the eTA valid for travel by land or cruise?
No. The eTA is valid only for air travel to Canada. Entry by land (from the US) or sea (cruise ship) requires a different document, typically a visitor visa.
Sources
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — Canada lifts the visa requirement for Qatari citizens (25 November 2025)
- Canada Gazette, Part 2, Volume 159, Number 25 — Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
- Government of Canada — Electronic travel authorization (eTA)
- Government of Canada — eTA: How to apply
- Government of Canada — eTA: Who can apply
- Government of Canada — Find out about electronic travel authorization (eTA)
- Government of Canada — Internet, email and telephone immigration scams
- IRCC Help Centre — eTA fee and scam refund guidance
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
