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Reviewed January 2025
Key takeaways
Qatari visa processing times vary based on type and applicant location, from 48 hours to several weeks.
Tourist visas take 48 hours, while student visas typically take 72 hours.
Family and work visas generally take 1-4 weeks, but times may vary based on circumstances
Table of Contents
How long does it take to process a Qatari visa?
The processing time for Qatari visas can vary depending on various factors. To get a general idea, it usually depends on the applicant’s place of residence and the type of visa they are applying for.
Qatar offers a range of visas, including tourist, business, work and family visas. Each of these visas comes with its own processing time.
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Tourist visa (A1 visa)
The Qatar tourist visa (A1) is a type of visa that permits tourists to visit Qatar for a maximum duration of 30 days on a single trip. This visa is designed to facilitate tourism and allows visitors to explore the numerous attractions, experience the rich culture, and enjoy the renowned hospitality of Qatar.
As per some sources, a Qatar tourist visa (A1) takes around 48 hours to get issued. However, in some cases, the processing time may extend up to one week.
Please make sure to consult with the authorities regarding the accurate Qatar tourist visa (A1) processing time.
Alternatively, for more information, you can also refer to our dedicated article on Qatar tourist visa (A1).
Family visa
Qatar issues two types of family visas, including the Qatar family visit visa and the Qatar family residence visa, depending on the duration for which the expatriate residents wish to bring their family members to Qatar.
Family visit visa
The Qatar family visit visa allows expatriate residents in Qatar to bring their family members to Qatar on a short-term basis. The visa is mainly issued to immediate family members. However, it can now also be issued to other relatives of the expatriates.
The average time for processing a family visit visa is now one to two weeks. However, the processing time may differ in certain circumstances.
Please make sure to consult with the authorities regarding the accurate Qatar family visit visa processing time.
Alternatively, you can also refer to our dedicated Qatar family visit visa article.
Family residence visa
The Qatar family residence visa allows expatriate residents in Qatar to sponsor their family members to Qatar on a long-term basis. It is mandatory that every family member, including infants, must possess a family residence visa to stay in Qatar.
As per some sources, the average processing time for a family residence visa typically spans around two to four weeks. However, the processing time may differ in certain circumstances.
Please make sure to consult with the authorities regarding the accurate Qatar family residence visa processing time.
Alternatively, you can also refer to our dedicated Qatar family residence visa article.
Work visa
A Qatar work visa is a work permit and a residence permit issued by the Qatari government for foreign employees or workers. The employees are required to be employed by a Qatari employer (can be a company or individual) who is typically responsible for handling their Qatar work visa application.
Typically, expatriates need to wait for about two to four weeks for their work residency permit to be issued. It sometimes takes longer than that, depending on the employer’s company and the country of the employee’s nationality.
Please make sure to consult with the authorities regarding the accurate Qatar work visa processing time.
Alternatively, you can also refer to our dedicated Qatar work visa article.
Other visas
Business visa
Qatar business visa allows non-Qataris to conduct business and work in the country on a temporary basis. This type of visa is considered efficient because it allows business visa holders to perform temporary tasks that cannot be considered permanent employment.
According to some sources it takes around fifteen days for the Qatar business visa to get issued. However, the processing time may differ depending on certain circumstances.
Please make sure to consult with the authorities regarding the accurate Qatar business visa processing time.
Alternatively, you can also refer to our dedicated Qatar business visa article.
Student visa
The student visa in Qatar offers individuals from foreign countries the opportunity to temporarily immigrate to Qatar for the purpose of pursuing a course of study. With a study visa, individuals can reside and work (within certain limitations) in Qatar for the duration of their academic program, thereby allowing them to sustain themselves financially and support any dependents they may have while completing their studies.
The processing time for a Qatar student visa typically takes 72 hours. However, the duration may differ under certain circumstances.
Please make sure to consult with the authorities regarding the accurate Qatar family visit visa processing time.
Alternatively, you can also refer to our dedicated Qatar student visa article.
