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Updated February 2023
Being ‘the most open country in the Middle East’, Qatar allows citizens from over 95 countries to take advantage of its visa-upon-arrival facilities. This policy has made Qatar more accessible to tourists and business travellers and has contributed to the country’s growing tourism industry.
In this article, we will provide an overview of Qatar’s visa-on-arrival policy, including who is eligible, the required documents, and the process for obtaining a visa upon arrival in Qatar.
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Please note: Effective 30 January 2023, Qatar’s Ministry of Interior has announced that Hayya card‘s validity is extended, and its holders are given permits to enter the country until January 2024 under specified conditions.
Qatar visa on arrival 2023 latest news
The Ministry of Interior (MoI) recently announced that the validity of the Hayya card is extended. It can be used as an entry permit to Qatar until 24 January 2024 under specified conditions.
Furthermore, it is now mandatory that all foreign travellers have acquired health insurance when visiting Qatar. The insurance must be from the companies registered with the Ministry of Public Health. They can get insurance at a cost of QAR 50 per month.
Therefore, it is strongly advised that travellers eligible for a Qatar visa on arrival have the insurance in advance to smoothen the process upon arrival.
Qatar visa on arrival eligible countries
The Qatar visa on arrival allows nationals of 95 eligible countries to obtain a visa waiver upon arrival to Qatar by presenting a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months and a confirmed onward or return ticket.
The nationals of these countries do not require any prior visa arrangements before travelling to Qatar. Visitors intending to stay in Qatar must hold a valid hotel booking for the duration of the stay.
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The countries eligible for the Qatar visa on arrival will, however, be divided into two categories depending on the types of visas on arrival they are eligible for.
90-day stay period
For nationals of the countries listed below, the waiver will be valid for 180 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 90 days in Qatar, during either a single trip or on multiple trips:
Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine
30-day stay period
For citizens of the following countries, a visa-free stay of 30 days is allowed from the date of issuance and may be extended for another 30 days.
Andorra, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Georgia, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Macau, Macedonia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Suriname, Thailand, The United Kingdom, The United States, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela.
Visa exemption for GCC countries
In addition to the countries eligible for visa-free entry to Qatar, nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) also do not require a visa to enter Qatar.
Qatar visa on arrival requirements
Passengers from countries eligible for the Qatar visa on arrival can possess visa-free entry to Qatar and obtain a visa waiver on arrival if they meet the following requirements:
- the passenger must be a citizen of an eligible country
- must present a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months
- must possess a confirmed onward or return ticket
- passengers intending to stay in Qatar must hold a valid hotel booking for the duration of the stay
- must possess health insurance from one of the companies registered with the Qatar Ministry of Public Health
- passengers from Pakistan and India might also require the following:
- proof of funds or a credit card to be eligible for the Qatar visa on arrival. Make sure to carry an International Debit/Credit Card, under your name, with a minimum balance of QAR 5000.
- a bank statement from the last three months might also be required to prove that the balance is equivalent to QAR 5000.
Rules for India, Pakistan, Iran, and Thailand travellers
Travellers from India, Pakistan, Iran 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 (6) months
- Return ticket must be confirmed
- Health insurance from one of the companies registered with the Qatar Ministry of Public Health
- Confirmed hotel reservation through the Discover Qatar website only. Please note that hotel reservations from other websites will not be accepted.
Qatar visa on arrival application process
1. Ehteraz travel permit
Visitors entering Qatar will no longer be required to present a negative PCR test or RAT result. Furthermore, the requirement for showing Covid-19 status on the Etheraz app has also been dropped.
However, travellers must still show the app before entering a healthcare facility.
Please make sure to download the Ehteraz mobile application if you want to enter a healthcare facility in Qatar.
2. Visiting the immigration counter
Visit the Immigration counter in Doha, and show the officer your travel permit.
Submit all the required documents like Passport, Return or onward ticket, hotel booking confirmation, vaccine certificate and International Credit/Debit Card with three months’ bank statement (for India and Pakistan) to the Immigration Officer, and go through all the procedures and requirements the officer asks you to.
If confirmed, the Immigration Officer will fix a small sticker to your passport, marking the acceptance of a visa on arrival to Qatar.
Qatar visa on arrival fee
The Qatar visa on arrival is absolutely free of cost for all the travellers eligible for the visa. The extension or renewal of the Qatar visa on arrival is also free of cost.
Qatar visa on arrival extension
Passengers from countries eligible for the 30-day visa are the ones eligible to extend the Qatar visa on arrival for an additional 30 days. The visa extension can be done online through the Ministry of Interior portal by following the steps given below:
- visit the Ministry of Interior (MOI) website here.
- fill in all the details, including “Visa Number” (can be found on the sticker attached to your passport), “Passport Number”, and “Nationality”.
- enter the Captcha displayed on the screen accurately.
- click on ‘Extend’.
Your Qatar visa on arrival will now be extended for 30 days.
