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Reviewed January 2024
In a significant move to enhance its appeal as a global travel destination, Qatar has recently unveiled a groundbreaking set of visa rules that promise to simplify and streamline the process for visitors from around the world. These innovative regulations, implemented through the Hayya platform, are designed to revolutionize the way tourists and business travelers access the country, offering convenience, flexibility, and tailored options for a diverse range of visitors.
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From easier access for international tourists to simplified procedures for GCC residents, and accelerated approvals for certain nationalities, Qatar’s new visa rules signal a commitment to fostering tourism and business opportunities while ensuring a seamless and efficient experience for all who wish to explore this remarkable Gulf nation. Keep reading to find out more about Qatar’s new visa rules for the year 2023.
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Qatar’s visa rules in 2023
The following are some of the new visa rules developed in Qatar for the year 2023:
Qatar new Hayya Card rules
Recently, Qatar Tourism has launched a new version of its Hayya Platform, which will serve as a single portal for all tourist and business visas to Qatar, unifying visa processes for tourists, GCC residents and companions traveling with GCC citizens. Additionally, for those entering Qatar via land at the Abu Samra border, the Hayya Platform will provide a pre-registration option for faster entry for vehicles.
For more details about the launching of a new version of Hayya Card, please visit our article below.
Qatar new e-visa rules
The new e-visa for Qatar is categorized into three types based on nationality, residency, or existing international visas: A1, for international visitors of all nationalities who currently do not qualify for visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry; A2, for GCC residents, including all professions; and A3, for international visitors with visas or residency from Schengen, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, who will benefit from a quicker approval process and do not need to book accommodation through Discover Qatar for their visit to Qatar.
Qatar new visa rules for Indians, Pakistanis & Thais
Travellers from India, Pakistan and Thailand can also obtain a free visa on arrival in Qatar for a maximum stay of 30 days, provided they meet some additional requirements, including:
- Valid passport for at least six months
- Health insurance from one of the companies registered with the Qatar Ministry of Public Health
- Confirmed return tickets
- Confirmed hotel reservation through the Discover Qatar website only. Please note that hotel reservations from other websites will not be accepted.
For more details regarding the Qatar visa on arrival, visit our article on Qatar Visa on Arrival 2023: Which Countries Are Eligible for Qatar Visa on Arrival?
Qatar new unified tourist visa rules
A unified tourist visa for GCC countries has recently been approved, facilitating seamless travel between the six GCC nations for residents and tourists. The unified tourist visa allows travelers to visit Qatar and the other GCC nations, including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, only with a single visa. This move is meant to boost the economic and tourism sectors in the region. Following the approval, this new visa is expected to be in effect between 2024 and 2025, depending on each country’s internal regulations.
For further information about the GCC unified tourist visa, you can check our dedicated article below.
Qatar new conditions for visiting family members
According to the Qatar Ministry of Interior’s new guidelines, there are a few conditions that need to be fulfilled by both the resident and their visiting family members in order for them to receive family visit visas. These conditions are as follows:
- The applying resident should have family accommodation duly accredited by relevant authorities.
- The applying resident should possess a minimum monthly salary of QAR 5000.
- The profession of the applying resident should be in the non-labor category.
- The visitor must possess health insurance for the period of their visit to the State of Qatar.
- The visitor must be a relative of the applying resident within the allowed degrees of relation.
- Applications must be submitted through the Metrash2 app.
Qatar new conditions for bringing families for residency
Here are the new conditions implemented for residents who are intending to bring their families for residency in Qatar:
General Conditions:
- The son should not be more than 25 years of age.
- The daughter must be unmarried.
- Children within compulsory education age (6-18) must be enrolled in schooling inside or outside the country.
- The expatriates being hosted should have health insurance for the duration of their stay, starting
from the date of entry into the country.
For Government and Semi-Government Employees:
The employee should have family housing allocated by the employer or a minimum monthly salary of QAR 10,000 duly accredited with an employment contract.
For Private Sector Employees:
The employee’s profession should be of a technical or specialized (non-labor) category, accredited with an employment contract.
The employee should have a minimum salary of QAR 10,000 or QAR 6,000, with family housing provided by the employer and duly accredited with an employment contract.
