Qatar visa policy

Qatar visa policy specifies the rules for the visa application procedures and the conditions for issuing short-term visas for different nationalities.

According to the visa policy of Qatar, citizens from a GCC country can enter Qatar visa-free, while others are required to obtain the proper Qatar visa.

Nationals from more than 200 countries worldwide can apply for a Qatar e-Visa with no effort. It has a speedy and entirely online application process.

Now the electronic visa to Qatar is available not only for eligible citizens but also the residents of GCC countries of all professions and holders of valid visas or residence permits from certain countries.

Citizens from the rest of the countries must attend the Qatar foreign mission in person for a visa interview to get a regular visa to Qatar.

Note that Hayya card holders currently do not need a Qatar visa, as the validity of the Hayaa card has been extended until January 24, 2024.

International travelers must adhere to the Qatar visa policy to be allowed into the country. However, following other entry requirements of Qatar is as much important – one cannot visit Qatar without a valid passport and health insurance.

Who can enter Qatar?

Qatar does not impose any entry bans on any foreign nationality and is one of the most open countries in the world.

Citizens of all countries can enter Qatar if they meet the rules specified by the visa policy of Qatar.

GCC countries citizens can travel to Qatar without a visa, while a Qatar e-Visa can be obtained by eligible citizens, residents of GCC countries, and holders of valid visa or residence permit from some countries.

Entry requirements for Qatar

Tourists who intend to visit Qatar must have a passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date they arrive.

Citizens of foreign countries without visa waiver agreements with Qatar must obtain a Qatar visa.

From April 1, 2023, Qatar dropped all the COVID-19 restrictions, so vaccination certificates and PCR tests are no longer required.

However, all visitors need international health insurance or insurance from a registered Ministry of Public Health insurance provider.

Travelers may also be requested to show the reservation from a hotel.

Documents checklist for entering Qatar

Foreigners visiting Qatar must present the following documents upon arrival:

• a valid passport
• a Qatar visa/Hayya Card (if applicable)
• hotel booking
• health insurance

As advice can change regularly, it is highly recommended to get in touch with the Qatar embassy.

Methods of getting a visa to Qatar

Currently, a Qatar visa can be obtained in two ways: through the online Qatar e-Visa application or at the Qatar embassy by applying for a regular visa.

Electronic visa (e-Visa)

The e-Visa to Qatar is an electronic visa allowing traveling to Qatar for up to 30 days for tourism and is considered the simplest application method.

Eligible foreign citizens should complete a short online form, pay the fees, and check their email address to receive approval.

The entire procedure is online and takes a few minutes. Qatar e-Visa grants a stay of up to 30 days and permits its holders to enter Qatar once in a span of 30 days of the validity period.

Regular visa

A regular visa to Qatar must be obtained by those who are not eligible for a Qatar eVisa and do not have a visa exemption.

A regular visa is only issued if an applicant attends a Qatar foreign mission in person for the formal visa interview.

Countries and regions which require a visa for entry into Qatar

See the lists of eligible countries to know whether you need a visa to Qatar. If you are visa-required, find out which application method you can use.

Electronic visa

Qatar e-Visa is available for citizens of 3 categories:

1. Nationals of the following countries:

• Andorra
• Afghanistan
• Anguilla
• Albania
• Armenia
• Angola
• Argentina
• American Samoa
• Austria
• Australia
• Aruba
• Aland Islands
• Azerbaijan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Barbados
• Bangladesh
• Belgium
• Burkina Faso
• Bulgaria
• Burundi
• Benin
• Bermuda
• Brunei
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Bahamas
• Bhutan
• Botswana
• Belarus
• Belize
• Canada
• Cocos Islands
• Congo
• Central African Republic
• Switzerland
• Cook Islands
• Chile
• Cameroon
• China
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Serbia
• Cuba
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Germany
• Djibouti
• Denmark
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Algeria
• Ecuador
• Estonia
• Eritrea
• Spain
• Ethiopia
• Finland
• Fiji
• Falkland Islands
• Micronesia
• Faroe Islands
• France
• Gabon
• United Kingdom
• Grenada
• Georgia
• French Guiana
• Ghana
• Gibraltar
• Greenland
• Gambia
• Guinea Bissau
• Guinea
• Guadeloupe
• Equatorial Guinea
• Greece
• Guatemala
• Guam
• Guyana
• Hong Kong
• Honduras
• Croatia
• Haiti
• Hungary
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• India
• Iraq
• Iran
• Iceland
• Italy
• Jamaica
• Jordan
• Japan
• Kenya
• Kyrgyzstan
• Cambodia
• Kiribati
• Comoros
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• North Korea
• South Korea
• Cayman Islands
• Kazakhstan
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Saint Lucia
• Liechtenstein
• Sri Lanka
• Liberia
• Lesotho
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Latvia
• Libya
• Morocco
• Monaco
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• Madagascar
• Marshall Islands
• Macedonia
• Mali
• Myanmar
• Mongolia
• Macau
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Martinique
• Mauritania
• Montserrat
• Malta
• Mauritius
• Maldives
• Malawi
• Mexico
• Malaysia
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• New Caledonia
• Niger
• Norfolk Island
• Nigeria
• Nicaragua
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Nepal
• Nauru
• Niue
• New Zealand
• Panama
• Peru
• French Polynesia
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Pakistan
• Poland
• Sierra Leone
• San Marino
• Senegal
• Somalia
• Suriname
• El Salvador
• Syria
• Swaziland
• Chad
• Togo
• Thailand
• Tajikistan
• Tokelau
• Timor Leste
• Turkmenistan
• Tunisia
• Tonga
• Turkey
• Tuvalu
• Taiwan
• Tanzania
• Ukraine
• Uganda
• United States
• Uruguay
• Uzbekistan
• Vatican City
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Venezuela
• British Virgin Islands
• Vietnam
• Vanuatu
• Samoa
• Yemen
• Mayotte
• South Africa
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Singapore
• Seychelles
• Palau
• Rwanda
• Portugal
• Sweden
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Russia
• Brunei Darussalam
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Romania
• Paraguay
• Sudan
• South Sudan
• Palestine
• United States Virgin Islands
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon
• Isle of Man
• Guernsey
• Solomon Islands
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saint Martin
• Saint Helena
• Reunion
• Puerto Rico
• Jersey
• Cape Verde
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Sint Maarten

2. Residents of GCC countries of any profession:

• United Arab Emirates
• Bahrain
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia

3. Holders of a valid visa or residence permit from the following countries:

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

Regular visa

• Ivory Coast
• Christmas Island
• Egypt
• Israel
• India
• Caicos Islands
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• Curacao
• British Indian Ocean Territory
• Bonaire

Visa-free entry

• United Arab Emirates
• Bahrain
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Saudi Arabia

Entry requirements for children

Qatar implemented the same entry requirements for all visitors. Therefore, children must have the same documentation as adults – a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months, hotel booking, and health insurance.

Underage travelers from visa-required countries must also have a valid Qatar visa. The Qatar visa application must be completed by the parent or legal guardian of a child.

Transit information

On September 26, 2016, the Qatar Ministry of the Interior implemented a free visa for transit for travelers of all nationalities, provided they transit through Hamad International Airport and intend to stay in Qatar for a period of 5 to 96 hours.

The visa is free of charge but can be issued only to those who satisfy the criteria. All other passengers must get an electronic or a regular Qatar visa.

Important information

• The visa policy of Qatar sets two methods of obtaining a visa to Qatar – by applying online for a Qatar e-Visa or attending an office for a regular visa.
• Qatar electronic visa stays valid for a month and allows one 30-day visit for tourism purposes.
• The validity of the Hayya card has been extended, so Hayya card holders can travel to Qatar without a visa until January 2024.
• Nationals of GCC countries have freedom of movement in Qatar.
• All foreign travelers must present a valid passport, hotel booking, and travel insurance upon arrival.