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Updated February 2024
Qatar is now open to international visitors, and those looking to travel to another destination can transfer through Hamad International Airport. Over the past 400 years, the land of Qatar has risen 2 meters above sea level, and the people of Qatar have tied the best of their culture and traditions with global culture and modern technology to create a whole new world for themselves. Qatar waits for you to discover the beauty of its coastline if you want to explore during your layover.
For those whose itinerary includes Doha as a pit stop, Wego has gathered the latest Qatar transit rules and other crucial information you need to know. Keep reading to learn more.
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Do I require a visa for transit in Qatar?
A transit visa is required if you are not one of the 101 nationalities eligible for visa-free entry to Qatar. Otherwise, you would need a pre-approved transit visa for a duration between 5 to 96 hours. The duration of stay beyond 96 hours is not permitted under this scheme.
Furthermore, the 96-hour Qatar transit visa is issued free of cost.
The Visa on Arrival is reinstated to replace the Hayya card requirements. Visa on Arrival is available to travelers from more than 95 different countries.
Qatar transit visa application process
You can apply for your Qatar transit visa at least seven days or a maximum of 90 days before your arrival in Qatar. You can apply at the nearest Qatar Airways ticketing office along with your passport to process your visa application. After you apply for your transit visa, you can check the status of your transit visa application by sending an e-mail to Qatar Airways at [email protected]
Please note that you can also apply for a Qatar transit visa online on the Qatar Airways website. However, the service is currently suspended.
Qatar transit visa requirements
Below are the requirements for a Qatar transit visa:
- passengers must hold a confirmed ticket for flights into and out of Qatar, and both flights must be operated by Qatar Airways.
- a passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from the time of arrival in Qatar.
- the passenger’s name must match the name on the passport.
Qatar transit tours
Travelers whose transit in Qatar is 4 to 8 hours and more can turn their stop into an extended holiday by joining Discover Qatar’s city tour of Doha in one of the five following packages:
- Transit Exclusive: Discover Doha – QAR 99 per person
- Transit Exclusive: Discover the Art of the Airport – QAR 36 per person
- Transit Exclusive: Discover the Desert and Inland Sea (Private Tour) – QAR 227 per person
- Transit Exclusive: Discover Championship Golf (6 Holes) – QAR 440 per person
- Transit Exclusive: Discover Squash at the Airport – QAR 90 per person
- Transit Exclusive: Discover Golf Simulator at the Airport – QAR 120 per person
Moreover, Discover Qatar also allows travelers with transit times of 2 hours or more to avail of the transit tour of Discover the Art of the Airport with Discover Qatar’s expert guide.
However, in case you are within 48 hours of arriving in Doha and cannot see availability to book a tour, visit the Duty-Free area of Hamad International Airport to check the live availability of transit tours.
Qatar stopover transit tour packages
Qatar Airways has now launched various kinds of stopover transit tour packages, which include hotels and other amenities depending on your layover time. The following are the various types of transit packages.
Standard
The standard transit package offers you a selection of 4-star hotels. The prices vary from 14 USD for 1 night, 22 USD for 2 nights, 47 USD for 3 nights and 74 USD for 4 nights.
Premium
The premium transit package offers you a selection of premium 5-star hotels. The prices vary from 23 USD for 1 night, 41 USD for 2 nights, 75 USD for 3 nights and 108 USD for 4 nights.
Premium Beach
As the name suggests, the premium transit package offers you a selection of premium 5-star hotels with additional access to the beautiful sandy beaches of Doha included in the package.
The prices vary from 30 USD for 1 night, 55 USD for 2 nights, 95 USD for 3 nights and 135 USD for 4 nights.
Luxury
The luxury transit package offers you a selection of plush 5-star luxury hotels with breakfast included within the package. The prices vary from 81 USD for 1 night, 158 USD for 2 nights, 249 USD for 3 nights and 340 USD for 4 nights.
All-Inclusive Beach
The all-inclusive beach transit package offers you a selection of upscale 5-star luxury hotels with breakfast and access to the sandy beaches of Doha included within the package.
The prices vary from 144 USD for 1 night, 283 USD for 2 nights, 437 USD for 3 nights and 591 USD for 4 nights.
Please refer to the official Qatar Airways website for more details on the Qatar stopover packages.
How to access the Qatar Stopover transit tour package?
- visit the Qatar Airways official website.
- choose “Qatar Stopover” in the flight search panel, then enter your origin and destination. Please be mindful not to enter Doha or Qatar as your destination or origin.
- select your preferred stopover timing and duration.
- choose your stopover flight and package. Please note that travelers from the listed countries can reserve both their flights and accommodations simultaneously, while those departing from other countries must initially book their flights and then visit “Discover Qatar” to arrange their hotel stay and select from a range of tours and services.
- Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.
Please refer to the Discover Qatar webpage for more details.
