Complete Guide to Applying for Schengen Visa for Qatar Residents in 2023

This article is reviewed regularly by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.

Updated February 2023

The European countries have always been alluring to the Middle East, especially for Qatari travellers. The lush green courtyards, the scenic landscape bordering mountains and the local streets etched with culture make a trip to Europe a fulfilling travel experience.

If you are looking to travel to Europe from Qatar, here is everything you need to know about the Schengen Visa; the documents required, the detailed procedure and guidelines, and how to apply in Qatar.

What is a Schengen Visa?

A Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa that allows a person to travel to any member of the Schengen area per stay for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. Currently, the Schengen area consists of 26 member countries. All of these countries are located in Europe. The 26 Schengen countries are:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

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Do Qatar residents need to apply for Schengen Visa?

Yes, Qatari passport holders must obtain a Schengen Visa to enter any European country in the Schengen zone. Qatari residents must go through all the processes of meeting requirements and attending interviews to obtain a visa that permits them to enter the Schengen area.

The following categories can submit a visa application at a Schengen embassy/consulate/Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Qatar:

• Qatar passport holders.
• Other nationals who need a visa visit to Europe and are living in Qatar under a permanent or temporary residence permit.

Depending on the purpose under which you need to enter the Schengen area, you can apply for one of the following Schengen Visa types:

• Transit visa
• Tourism visa
• Visa for visiting family or friends
• Business visa
• Visa for culture and sports activities
• Visa for official visits
• Study visa
• Visa for medical reasons

Depending on your reasons for visiting the Schengen countries and the frequency of your visits, the Schengen consulate can issue you a single-entry visa, double-entry visa, or multiple-entry visa.

Recently, the EU parliament has approved the idea of digitization of the application and the stickers Schengen Visa. Please consult to our article below to know more about the online Schengen Visa.

When to apply for Schengen Visa?

You should submit your Schengen Visa application at least 15 days before your planned trip and no earlier than six months.

Sometimes processing times can be delayed, so it’s in your best interest to submit your application more than 15 days before your trip just in case your visa is not issued on time.

Where to apply for Schengen Visa?

Applicants cannot submit their documents at whichever embassy/consulate of a Schengen country they wish to.

The Schengen area has rules in terms of where to submit your visa application, and according to these rules, depending on the number of countries you visit and the number of days you spend in each, you will have to apply at one of the following:

• if you are visiting one Schengen country – then apply at the body responsible for visa submission of that country in Qatar (the embassy/consulate/visa centre).
• if you are visiting more than one Schengen country – then where you need to apply depends on the number of days you plan to spend in each country:
  • if you are spending an equal amount of days in two or more countries – apply to the body responsible for visa submission of the country you will be visiting first.
  • if you are spending an unequal amount of days in two or more countries – apply to the body responsible for visa submission of the country where you will be spending more days.

Visa application centres in Qatar

VFS Global Visa Centre 
Address: Oqba Bin Nafie St, Doha, Qatar
Phone: +974 4423 1159

Germany Visa Application Centre
Address: 1.2 Floor Al Nuaimi Building, Next To Oqba Bin Nafee Metro Station, Zone 45 Airport Road, Al Matar St, Qatar
Phone: +974 4423 1162

Spain Visa Application Centre 
Address: Aamal Tower, 4th Floor (VIP Lift), West Bay، Qatar
Phone: +974 4000 0705

Italy Visa Application Centre 
Address: 6 Floor Tower 3 Gate Mall Omar Al Mukhtar St.Al Salam Plaza, Zone 63 West Bay), ( AlDafna Area Doha City, Qatar
Phone: +974 4423 1222

Belgium Visa Application Centre 
Address: Al Nuaimi Building, Next To Oqba Bin Nafee Metro Station, Zone 45 Airport Road, Al Matar St, Qatar
Phone: +974 4423 1157

Switzerland Visa Application Centre 
Address: 2 Floor Al Nuaimi Building Next To Oqba Bin Nafee Metro Station, Zone 45 Airport Road, Al Matar St, Qatar
Phone: +974 4423 1158

VFS Netherlands Visa Application Centre 
Address: Oqba Bin Nafie St, Doha, Qatar

BLS Visa Application Centre 
Address: 5th Floor, Office 22, Al Reem Tower (Opposite Intercontinental Hotel, Al Wehda St, Doha, Qatar
Phone: +974 4000 0705

Norway Visa Application Centre 
Address: 2 Floor Al Nuaimi Building Next To Oqba Bin Nafee Metro Station, Zone 45 Airport Road, Al Matar St, Qatar
Phone: +974 4424 1163

Czech Republic Visa Application Centre 
Address: 2 Floor Al Nuaimi Building Next To Oqba Bin Nafee Metro Station, Zone 45 Airport Road, Al Matar St, Qatar
Phone: +974 4423 1188

How to apply for Schengen Visa in Qatar?

Documents and requirements

The required documents are a crucial part of your visa application. You must prepare these documents for your Schengen Visa from Qatar:

• Application form: You must fill out the Schengen Visa application form with all your information and required data. You can usually find a copy of the form at any of the websites of the visa centres or embassies in Qatar, download the form, fill it out, and sign it.
• Your Qatari passport (original plus a copy): You must provide your original Qatari passport along with a copy of your passport, which must have a three-month validity period from the date you leave the Schengen area. Your passport must also contain two blank pages and have been issued in the last 10 years.
• Identity photographs: You must submit two identity photographs following the Schengen Visa photo guidelines; the photos must have been taken in the last six months. Please note that the number of photographs changes depending on which country you apply for the Schengen Visa.
• Civil status certificate: Please provide civil status documents such as birth certificate, marriage certificate, family certificate, or death certificate (if applicable).
• Proof of accommodation: You must submit proof of hotel bookings/reservations, Airbnb reservations, or proof that you will stay with a family member or friend.
• Round-trip Flight Itinerary: A booked flight reservation from Qatar to the EU and back. If you take any internal flights, you will have to include those tickets too.
• Travel health insurance: You must also provide a travel health insurance certificate that meets the requirements of the Schengen travel insurance guidelines. You need medical coverage of EUR 30,000 (QAR 115,163) for any unexpected illnesses or injuries.
• Proof of paid visa fee: You must also include the receipt proving you have paid the required visa fee; otherwise, your application will not be processed.
• Cover letter: You may also be required to submit a cover letter for your Schengen Visa application in Qatar. The cover letter must contain information about why you are applying for a visa, what you plan to do during your stay, how long you will stay in the Schengen area, etc.
• Copies of previous Schengen Visas (if applicable): If you obtained a Schengen Visa before applying for a new visa, you must submit copies of those previous permits.
• Birth certificate and proof of parental consent (if applicable): In cases where minors are applying for a Schengen Visa, the application package must also contain their birth certificate and parental consent for travel if they travel alone or with only one parent/legal guardian. Please note that for minors, the application form must be signed by both parents/legal guardians (one is acceptable if extenuating circumstances apply).
• Proof of enough financial means: To obtain your Schengen Visa, you must submit original copies of your bank account statements showing transactions in the last three to six months and the account balance or proof of regular income. Depending on your employment status, you also need to submit the following documents:
  • If employed:
    • An employment contract and certificate of annual leave from the employer.
  • If self-employed/freelancer:
    • Business license (if applicable).
    • Business bank statements.
  • If a student:
    • Certificate of registration at University, school, or college.
    • Your student ID card, a copy of the registration certificate from the faculty signed and stamped by the university, and your grades transcript.
    • Evidence of financial stability of your parents.
    • Proof of employment contract or proof of enough financial resources for your stay.
  • If retired:
    • Bank statement showing the pension received for the last six months.

Steps to apply for Schengen Visa in Qatar

In order to apply for a Schengen Visa from Qatar you must follow these steps:

1. Check which Schengen Visa type you need. There are different Schengen Visa types depending on your purpose of travelling from Qatar to Europe.
2. Check where you need to apply for a Schengen Visa. Visit the country’s embassy, visa centre or consulates accordingly.
3. Decide when to apply for a Schengen Visa in Qatar. The earliest time you can lodge your Schengen Visa application in Qatar is 6 months before your planned trip while the latest time to file your visa application is at least 15 working days before you intend to travel to Europe.
4. Collect the documents required for a Schengen Visa.
5. Book an appointment. Depending on the country, you may make an appointment online, by phone, or in person.
6. Fill out the visa application form. Download the application form and fill it out correctly and honestly. The Schengen Visa application form has the same format no matter which country’s visa it is that the applicant is applying for.
7. Attend the interview on the day of your appointment. On the day of your appointment, show up on time at the facility where you will be interviewed. There you will meet a visa consular to whom you need to hand the collected documents, as required.
8. Pay the visa fee. You will need to pay a non-refundable administration fee when applying for a Schengen Visa, in order for your visa application to be processed.
9. Wait for the processing of your visa.

ETIAS for Qatar nationals

The European Commission has submitted a proposal to lift visa requirements for Qatar nationals to travel to the EU. This means that these nationalities would be eligible for ETIAS once it is introduced.

Once the visa-free agreement has been finalised, holders of a passport issued by Qatar or Kuwait will be able to cross European borders without a visa for short-term stays. They will still need a passport valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry.

Additionally, this year, they will also need to register online with ETIAS (the European Travel Information and Authorisation System). This is a mandatory requirement for citizens of all 60+ visa waiver countries.

Schengen Visa processing time

In most cases, it takes no more than 15 days to process a visa. That period can be extended from 15 to 45 days for some citizens.

If your Schengen Visa is approved

If you get your visa, make sure to understand carefully the labels attached to the visa sticker, including the period it permits you to remain in Europe. Otherwise, overstaying in the Schengen area might have consequences.

If your Schengen Visa gets rejected

If your visa application gets denied, read the reason why it didn’t grant you a visa and try to fulfil it the next time you apply if you think that your application was correct and the decision on its refusal was a mistake, you can always appeal the visa rejection.

What is the cost of a Schengen Visa in Qatar?

The following is the current price cap for Schengen Visa for Qatari residents:

• Adults: 80 Euros (around QAR 308)
• Child between 6-12 years of age: 40 Euros (around QAR 154)
• Child younger than 6 years of age: FREE
• Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports travelling for official purposes: FREE
• A family member of an EU/EEA national: FREE
• Pupils, students and accompanying teachers during a school trip: FREE
• Researchers travelling to carry out scientific research: FREE

Again, in case the visa is denied, there is no refund of the money paid.

What is the validity of the Schengen Visa?

According to the type of visa issued by the certain embassy/consulate of any Schengen country, there are different restrictions that apply to the particular visa in accordance with the nature of travelling and other relevant circumstances.

The Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa in the form of a sticker affixed to your passport. The definition of “short stay visa” refers to the general stay in the territory of the Schengen agreement for not more than 90 days in a period of 180 days. The precise length of your visa validity is indicated on the visa sticker under the heading “Duration of visit”. With a single-entry visa, you can enter the Schengen area only once. A double-entry or multi-entry visa allows two or more entries during the visa validity.