Qatar provides different visas to people for different purposes. Unless you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you need to obtain a visa prior to visiting Qatar. The process is quite straightforward and if you are planning to live and work in Qatar, your company will handle much of the application process.
The ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team has listed the different visas here. Check it out!
NOTE: The information listed is based on Visit Qatar, the Ministry of Interior and Hukoomi as of 7 June 2022 and is subject to change. Kindly refer to the official websites for the latest updates.
Family Residence Visa can be applied by expat employees, who earn equal to QR 10,000 or more a month, who have completed six months of employment with their company and wish to bring their immediate dependents to Qatar to live with them. This visa is granted based on your employment in Qatar i.e. you must have a valid QID and also a residence visa from your employer.
Expat workers wishing to bring members of their family to Qatar for up to 6 months can apply for a Family Visit Visa. It is important to note that this visa is valid for one month and can be extended for up to six months for immediate family members only and three months for other relatives. To apply for an extension, these visa holders must undergo a medical check. The overstay fine per day for Family Visit Visa is QR 200.
GCC residents of some approved professions as listed by the Ministry of Interior (MOI) (check the list here) and those accompanying them may get a 1-month GCC Resident Visit Visa on arrival or through a Qatari embassy. The visa is renewable for an additional 3-months. Note that you have to carry proper documentation proving your profession. This single-entry visa can be obtained for QR 100, payable by Visa or Mastercard.
NOTE: The information listed is based on Visit Qatar, the Ministry of Interior and Hukoomi as of 7 June 2022 and is subject to change. Kindly refer to the official websites for the latest updates before booking.
Citizens of over 95 approved countries are eligible for visa-free entry into the State of Qatar. Allowable lengths of stay vary. 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. Visitors intending to stay in Qatar must hold a valid hotel booking for the duration of the stay.
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.
For nationals of the countries/regions 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.
Note:
For India: Similar to the 51 countries listed above, Indians can enter Qatar visa-free and spend up to 30 days in Qatar, during single or multiple trips, with an option to extend for another 30 days, if the following terms and conditions are met:
For Pakistan: Similar to the 51 countries listed above, 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, if the following terms and conditions are met:
For Iran: Iranians can enter Qatar visa-free and spend up to 30 days in Qatar if the following terms and conditions are met:
NOTE: The information listed is based on Visit Qatar, the Ministry of Interior and Hukoomi as of 7 June 2022 and is subject to change. Kindly refer to the official websites for the latest updates.
This visa is issued upon arrival and is valid for 30 days for the State of Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman. It allows for multiple entries to both countries and is extendable for an additional 30 days for a fee. Citizens of the following countries are eligible for the joint visa:
Individuals who are not eligible for visa-free entry, but who hold a valid residence permit or visit visa to either Schengen countries, Australia, Canada, UK, USA or New Zealand, can obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) - free of charge- by completing an online application prior to travelling. You will be asked to provide:
Individuals not eligible for visa-free entry or ETA can apply for a Tourist Visa online. Visitors to Qatar travelling on board any airline may apply for a Tourist Visa through the Qatar Visa Service. The cost of the Qatar Tourist Visa is QR 100. Tourist Visa holders are allowed to stay in Qatar for up to 30 days on a single trip.
To submit a request for a Qatar Tourist Visa, visitors are required to:
Note: visitors travelling to Qatar with Qatar Airways, may select 'Apply for a visa' after logging in to 'My Trips' on the airline's website. This automatically directs them to the Qatar Visa Service website, where they can start the Qatar Tourist Visa application process for themselves and any accompanying travellers under the same booking.
Qatar Airways passengers transiting in Qatar for a minimum of 5 hours are eligible to apply for the Qatar Transit Visa. It is free of charge, valid for up to 96 hours (four days) and open to passengers of all nationalities**. For more information about the Qatar Transit Visa, please click here.
This visa allows hotels, embassies and other authorized employers to arrange visas for citizens of 33 approved countries before they arrive in Qatar.
This visa is granted to visitors of the 33 approved countries through authorized hotels operating in Qatar or sponsoring residents with relationships to applicants through Qatar Airways. It is valid for one month and non-extendable.
Nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) do not require a visa to enter Qatar.
If you plan to stop over in Qatar temporarily (up to 24 hours) on your way to a destination, you should apply for a transit visa before you travel. The visa is valid for 24 hours and allows you to leave the airport transfers area to stay in Qatar.
However, a Transit Visa is not acceptable for general business visits. Transit Visas can be arranged through your local Qatari embassy prior to travel. Embassy workers and other authorized persons can apply online for transit visas on behalf of travellers.
Business Visas allow non-Qataris to conduct business and work in the country on a temporary basis. There are two types of business visas:
Newborn babies who are less than three months old need a Newborn Visa when entering the country with their mother. The child should have either a passport or be included on the father or mother's passport. Both parents should have a valid Residence Permit. A certificate of birth is also required. The visa is free.
If you have a place at an approved educational institution and wish to stay in Qatar during your course, you can apply for an Education Residence Visa. This type of visa is granted by the Committee Reviewing Recruitment Applications and is available from Expatriates Affairs & Unified Services Centres of the MOI. This visa is issued free of charge.
This is a residence visa for real estate owners and it is issued through the General Directorate of Borders Passports and Expatriates Affairs at the MOI. Required documentation includes a valid passport, a letter from a relevant agency outlining the property investment, a good conduct certificate and a medical check-up. The visa costs QR 200.
If you, a member of your family, or a member of your household staff, have stayed out of the country for more than 6 months and your residency is still valid and you have prior approval of entry, you can purchase a Return Visa. There are different document requirements depending on who your employer is, details of which can be found on the MOI website. The fee varies from QR 200 to QR 500 again depending on employer type.
This visa is issued when an expatriate loses his or her passport while being outside the country. A copy of a lost passport certificate, along with copies of the old and new passport, is required. The visa costs QR 200.
Government ministries and approved establishments can request this visa online. The visa is free, valid for one month and can be extended for five months (total of 6 months) following medical tests and fingerprints.
Expatriates who invest in selected business ventures in the country are eligible for residency without employment. Applicants must obtain property ownership documents, a certificate of good behaviour and a medical check-up to qualify.
NOTE: The information listed is based on Visit Qatar, the Ministry of Interior and Hukoomi as of 7 June 2022 and is subject to change. Kindly refer to the official websites for the latest updates.
Click here for more visa information.
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