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Updated November 2024

Key takeaways 
  • Qatar’s family visit visa conditions now require a minimum salary of QAR 5,000.
  • The Mustaqel visa offers a five-year residency for talented individuals and entrepreneurs.
  • From 1 December 2024, Qatari citizens can visit the US visa-free for up to 90 days

What are the new Qatar visa rules in 2024?

The following are some of the new visa rules developed in Qatar for the year 2024:

Book cheap flights to Qatar Book cheap flights to Qatar

 

GCC unified tourist visa expected to launch in 2024-25

A unified tourist visa for GCC countries has been in the works for a long time, facilitating seamless travel between the six GCC nations for residents and tourists. The visa has been approved by members of the GCC. However, it is not yet operational. The unified tourist visa will allow travelers to visit Qatar and other GCC nations, including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, 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.

Recently, on 30 April 2024, The UAE Minister of Economy, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri al, confirmed that GCC nations are working on launching the Unified Tourist Visa. However, he didn’t confirm any launch date.

For further information about the GCC unified tourist visa, you can check our dedicated article below.

GCC Unified Tourist Visa 2024: Everything You Need to Know About the Upcoming GCC Grand Tours Visa

 

Mustaqel 5-year residency visa introduced by Qatar

In February 2024, the Qatari Government announced the introduction of Mustaqel visas, which are five-year residency visas for eligible talented individuals and entrepreneurs. The official website lists the eligibility and requirements for both types and can be applied on the same website as well. 

  • The Talent Visa Administrative Cost: QAR 4000
  • The Entrepreneur Visa Administrative Cost: QAR 5000. 

If the application is rejected, refunds are also available. However, it excludes the administrative cost and bank processing fee. Please visit the website for more details.

Qatar clarifies conditions for family members under the family visit visa

On 19 January 2024, Qatar’s Ministry of Interior clarified guidelines for dependents and family members. The conditions that need to be fulfilled by both the resident and their visiting family members in order for them to receive family visit visas 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 Family Visit Visa: Everything You Need to Know

 

Qatar establishes conditions for residents sponsoring families on family residency visa

On 19 January 2024, Qatar implemented some new conditions for residents who intend to bring their families for residency in Qatar under the family residency program. They are as follows:

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.

Qatar officially joins the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

From 1 December 2024, Qatari citizens can visit the US visa-free for up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) by applying through ESTA online or via the app. The two-year authorization costs USD 21 and is linked to the passport.

US Visa Waiver Program: A Gateway to Visa-Free US Travel

 

 

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