Qatar Visa
Qatar is an ideal country for traveling and exploring, besides tourist attractions Qatar has very open visa policies for tourists from abroad. Qatar is now the most open country in the Middle East. Visitors from all around the world can now enter Qatar either visa free, or by filling out simple online applications, depending on the passport they carry. Travellers to Qatar require a visa unless they are citizens of one of the GCC countries or they are citizens of one of the eligible countries for visa waiver.
Qatari visas can be obtained online for visitors requiring a visa, either from its official site, or Qatar Airways’ website when travelling with the airline.
FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT
Citizens of the following Gulf Cooperation Council countries enjoy freedom of movement in Qatar and do not require a visa to enter Qatar under any circumstances:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
VISA-FREE ENTRY
Nationals of more than 80 countries are eligible for visa-free entry into the State of Qatar, with varying allowable lengths of stay. Nationals of the eligible countries do not require any prior visa arrangements and can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival to Qatar, upon presentation of a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months and a confirmed onward or return ticket.
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.
1. Antigua and Barbuda
2. Austria
3. Bahamas
4. Belgium
5. Bulgaria
6. Croatia
7. Cyprus
8. Czech Republic
9. Denmark
10. Dominican Republic
11. Estonia
12. Finland
13. France
14. Germany
15. Greece
16. Hungary
17. Iceland
18. Italy
19. Latvia
20. Liechtenstein
21. Lithuania
22. Luxembourg
23. Malaysia
24. Malta
25. Netherlands
26. Norway
27. Poland
28. Portugal
29. Romania
30. Serbia
31. Seychelles
32. Slovakia
33. Slovenia
34. Spain
35. Sweden
36. Switzerland
37. Turkey
For nationals of the countries listed below, the waiver will be valid for 30 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 30 days in Qatar, during either a single trip or on multiple trips. This waiver may be extended for a further 30 days.
1. Andorra
2. Argentina
3. Australia
4. Azerbaijan
5. Belarus
6. Bolivia
7. Brazil
8. Brunei
9. Canada
10. Chile
11. China
12. Colombia
13. Costa Rica
14. Cuba
15. Ecuador
16. Georgia
17. Guyana
18. Hong Kong
19. India
20. Indonesia
21. Ireland
22. Japan
23. Kazakhstan
24. Lebanon
25. Macedonia
26. Maldives
27. Mexico
28. Moldova
29. Monaco
30. New Zealand
31. Panama
32. Paraguay
33. Peru
34. Russia
35. San Marino
36. Singapore
37. South Africa
38. South Korea
39. Suriname
40. Thailand
41. Ukraine
42. United Kingdom
43. United States
44. Uruguay
45. Vatican City
46. Venezuela
Nationals of Pakistan can enter Qatar visa-free and spend up to 30 days in Qatar, during a single or multiple trips, with an option to extend for another 30 days with some additional requirements.
TYPES OF QATAR VISA
Business visas are issued to businessmen who have applied in advance. To obtain a tourist visa, the individual should have traveled into the country by Qatar Airways.
72-hour business visa
Business visa
Investor Visa
This service permits employees in Qatar to bring in their families from abroad, or renew residence visas of their family members.
This visa is issued to family members of those residing in Qatar for a short-term duration of one month. The visa is issued for visiting family member, who are visiting their relative residing in the country.
Read more: Qatar Visa Family Visit
The visa is given to drivers and servants of residents in Qatar, as they arrive at Qatari borders from the GCC States, and is valid for a period of one month and renewable for five months
The visa is given to residents of GCC states who arrive at any of Qatar’s borders on a 14-day stay.
Multiple visas with a validity of more than a year are issued to individuals, companies, and government establishments that have approval from a specialized authority.
The visa is issued on arrival at Qatar border for 33 countries, and the beneficiary can enter any country directly and is free to move to another country before expiry of the stay period.
Tourist Visa holders are allowed to stay in Qatar for up to 30 days on a single trip.
Work visas are issued to private entities, companies, and individual sponsorships, which need to be approved by Ministry of Interior.
The Newborn visas are for new born babies aged less than 3 months. The visa is issued on their arrival at the Qatar border.
Applicable in special situation, wherein travelers may have to halt in Qatar for 2 days.
Return visas are issued to visitors wherein they are granted permission to return once every six months or twice a year to their home country.
The Interior Ministry in Qatar issued a revised list of 188 professions, and the GCC-resident practitioners under these professions are eligible for visa-on-arrival at the Doha International Airport.
Read more: Visa on arrival for Indians
All residents, except women and children sponsored by their father or husband, will require an exit visa before leaving Qatar. Exit permits are usually arranged by sponsors.
QATAR VISA REQUIREMENTS
Tourist visa: you are advised to have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date of your arrival in Qatar. You are also required to show your hotel confirmation and a credit or savings balance of at least around 5,100 QAR. Depending on passport control, it may also be necessary to show your return ticket.
Business Visas for Qatar
- 72-hour Business Visa – traveller will need to provide a letter of invitation.
- Business Visa – The visa is valid for a maximum of three months, and must be arranged in advance by an approved company or institution operating in Qatar.
- Investor Visa – Applicants must have property ownership documents, a certificate of good behaviour and have a medical check-up to qualify.
Family Visa
In order to receive this visa, you will need to submit application forms to the Ministry of Labour in Qatar for each family member, a letter from your employer, copies of your passport, proof of residence and if applicable, birth and marriage certificates.
Transit Visa
Before you apply, please make sure you have the following mandatory documents.
- A clear passport copy for each passenger (including infants). The passport should be valid for a minimum of six months at the time of entry into Qatar.
- The confirmed tickets into Qatar and onwards must be on Qatar Airways operated flights only
Visas for Family Visits
Requirements for applying visa for wife:
– Copy of personal ID or passport of the resident husband
– Letter from husband’s employer citing profession and salary
– Copy of attested marriage contract
– Copy of wife’s valid passport
Requirements for applying visa for other relatives (Father, mother, sister, children and in-laws):
– Copy of personal ID or passport of the sponsor.
– Copy of sponsor’s wife’s passport with valid residence permit or residential tenancy contract.
– Letter from employer of the sponsor citing profession and salary.
– Valid passport copy of the visitor.
– Document to prove relationship.
– Undergo medial test within 72 hours entering the country in case you’re willing to extend for more than a month.
Companions of GCC National Visa
The expatriate should have valid resident in any GCC country .
Duration of the visa is one month extended to one month and the fees are collected as per similar treatment principle of each State .
GCC Resident Visit Visa
Applicants must provide passport and documents proving your profession. Applicants must be currently employed in one of the 201 authorized professions, and hold valid permit and passport for at least six months.
Work Visa requirements
- Valid passport (your passport must have a minimum of 8 months remaining)
- Copies of certified educational documents (documents evidencing he highest level of education obtained by the applicant)
- Up to 20 passport sized photos may be required.
Visa on arrival for GCC Residents
Require passport has at least six-month validity and a return ticket.
HOW TO APPLY QATAR VISA?
If you plant a visit to Doha, you should begin the visa application process at least a month in advance to your trip.
Obtain an invitation letter from the person inviting you to Doha. The letter should state the reason for your visit, along with a copy of author’s resident permit. If you are visiting Doha without an invite from anybody in the country, write a letter yourself explaining the reason for your visit.
Download the State of Qatar Entry Visa Application Form, and complete the application by typing or printing neatly in black ink.
Make two photocopies of your passport. Make the fee payment in the form of cheque or money order, payable to “Embassy of the State of Qatar.”
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Mail your application, passport, supporting materials such as three months bank statement of the applicant, the person’s residence permit copy, authentic proof of relation between applicant and the person, etc., and a prepaid envelope to the Embassy of Qatar at the address provided on the form. Else, you may wait until your arrival in the country and submit your documents at the airport, but it is better not to do this, as the country might deny your visa request.
QATAR VISA FEES
GCC Resident Visit Visa Fees: A fee of QR100 applies to each visa to be paid through credit card and QR50 for each companion. A penalty of QR200 per day applies to each expired visa.
Tourist Visa Fees: Tourist visa issuance fee is QR100 for a visa and QR50 for accompanying person. Overstay will be charged a penalty of QR200 per day.
Visit Visa Fee: A fee of QR200 is applicable for each visa, and QR50 is charged for each registered dependent or companion. The visa is valid for one month, and for extending the visa further, QR200 will have to be paid per month.
Newborn Visa: The visa is free.
Return Visa: The fee varies from QR200 to QR500 again depending on employer type.
Visa-on-arrival for GCC Residents: The visa can be obtained on paying QR100 as fee through credit card. A penalty of QR200 will be levied for each day after expiry.
Exit Visas: A single exit permit costs QR10, while the cost of multiple exit permit is QR500, with validity of one year.
Visas for Family Visits: A fee of QR200 applies for each visa, and QR50 for each registered dependent or companion. The visa is valid for one month and can be extended for QR200 per month (QR50 per month for the companion).
QATAR VISA VALIDITY
Family visit visa: the visa is initially valid only for one month but can be extended for QR200 per month
Business Visa: This type of visas’ validity is 2 week extendable to 2 other weeks
Tourist visa: valid for 14 days, could be extended by another 14 days.
Companions of GCC National Visa: valid for a period of one month and renewable for five months
GCC Residents Visit Visa: valid for 14 days, could be extended by another 14 days.
Multiple Entry Visa: validity of more than a year
Joint Tourist Visa : validity of 21 days , could be extended
Official Visa: valid for one month, extended for 5 months
Work Visa : more than a year
Return Permit : validity period of 14 days
Visa-on-arrival for GCC Residents: one month
QATAR VISA APPLICATION FORM
All applicants should download and prepare a completed application form (should be clearly printed) before send it to embassy or consulate. The Qatar Visa Application Form can be download here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWER
1. When can I apply for a visa?
You can apply for a visa a maximum of 90 days and a minimum of 4 working days before you travel.
We recommend that you apply as early in advance as possible.
2. Do I need to apply for a visa at the same time as I book my tickets?
No: you can apply for a visa any time up to 4 working days before you travel.
3. How long does it take to get a visa?
Provided all required documents are submitted correctly, visas are normally issued within 4 working days of your application.
4. My passport is expiring soon – can I still get a visa?
Qatar requires all visitors to have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival. If your passport is valid for less than 6 months, you will need to renew it before you can apply for a visa.
5. How will I receive my visa?
All visas are sent by email, to the email address given at the time of the application process.
6. Can I apply for a Qatar visa through this service with my travel document?
No, holders of travel documents cannot apply using this facility as currently we process visa with Normal passport only.