Qatar has a free transit visa scheme which came into effect in November 2016. Under the free Transit Visa scheme, travellers with layovers of five hours or more at Hamad International Airport can request a complimentary Qatar Transit Visa.
The scheme will allow transit passengers of all nationalities to enter Qatar for up to 96 hours (4 days) between flights. This article explains the eligibility requirements, application process, validity, and other details about the Qatar Transit Visa.
- Qatar Transit Visa Updates: Quick Summary
- What is Transit Visa?
- What is Qatar Transit Visa?
- How To Apply For Qatar Airways Transit Visa
- Qatar Transit Visa Requirements
- Visa Application Period
- Visa Processing Time
- Qatar Transit Visa Validity
- Qatar Transit Visa Cost
- Approval Authority
- Visa Rejection Upon Arrival
- FAQ On Qatar Transit Visa
Qatar Transit Visa Updates: Quick Summary
STATUS AS ON 22 APRIL 2023
You will need a visa in two situations:
(1) You want to visit the city of Doha for sight-seeing.
(2) You have to collect your own baggage from one airline and check-in with another airline.
Qatar Airways’ Online Transit Visa Service has been suspended for several months now.
If you require a visa, citizens of 90+ countries can use the free Visa On Arrival (VOA) facility.
If your nationality is not eligible for VOA, you can contact your nearest Qatar Airways office.
You can also apply for the newly launched Online Tourist Visa through Hayya portal (April 2023 update).
What is Transit Visa?
Generally a transit visa is a temporary travel authorization that lets passengers pass through a foreign country to get to another. For example if you are travelling from country A to country C through country B, you may need a transit visa from country B.
However, Transit Visa is not required for most transit passengers travelling through Qatar (if you are not planning to leave Doha Airport).
There may be certain situations when a visa is required (for example, you have booked separate tickets with two different airlines and need to collect your baggage to check-in to the connection flight).
If you are wondering if you need a transit visa for your layover in Qatar, please check this article. We have explained the different scenarios in detail.
What is Qatar Transit Visa?
Qatar Transit Visa is an optional visa which is only required if you want to leave the airport transit area for baggage collection or visit Doha city for sightseeing.
Qatar Airways passengers transiting in Qatar for a minimum of 5 hours are eligible 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.
How To Apply For Qatar Airways Transit Visa
Earlier Qatar Airways had an online service for transit passengers to apply for this visa. However this service is currently suspended.
If you need a visa and your nationality is not eligible for visa on arrival, you can contact your nearest Qatar Airways ticketing office. They may be able to help with a transit visa if you are eligible.
Note that Qatar Airways also has stopover packages that provide hotel accommodation and city tours.
After applying for the visa, you can check the status of your application using your visa request number or by emailing [email protected]

Qatar Transit Visa Requirements
To be eligible for a Qatar Transit Visa, the following conditions must be met:
Passport Requirements
- Individual passports per visitor are mandatory (including infants).
- A clear passport copy must be submitted to a Qatar Airways.
- The passport should be valid for a minimum of six months at the time of entry into Qatar (not at the time of application).
- Your name in the booking must match your passport name.
Ticket Requirements
- Confirmed tickets for a journey into Qatar and the onward journey out of Qatar must be on the Qatar Airways ticket document.
- Layovers in Qatar should be at least 5 hours.
- Both flights must be operated by Qatar Airways.
- The facility is not applicable to travel where Doha is the point of turnaround, for example, BOM-DOH-BOM.
Customers must hold a copy of the approved transit visa at boarding and upon arrival in Qatar.
Visa Application Period
Visa applications should be made at least seven days (excluding public holidays) before arrival in Qatar and a maximum of 90 days.
Visa Processing Time
The visa application processing time is a minimum of seven days, excluding public holidays.
Qatar Transit Visa Validity
The entry is valid for 96 hours. Staying beyond 96 hours is not permitted under this scheme.
Entry into Qatar with an approved visa must be within 30 days of the issuance date. Extension of validity is not permitted; in this case, a new visa application must be submitted.
Qatar Transit Visa Cost
The 96-hour transit visa is issued free. All other expenses, including accommodation costs in Qatar, must be borne by the passenger.
Approval Authority
Entry into Qatar will be at the discretion of the immigration authorities. Qatar Airways offices act only as a processing agent for visa applications. They will not be liable for any expenses incurred should there be a delay in visa issuance or rejection from the Ministry of Interior.
Visa Rejection Upon Arrival
In case of visa rejection upon arrival in Qatar, the passenger may travel onward if holding a valid visa for a final destination. He may also make alternative arrangements for return travel to the origin/other destination at his own expense.
Nationals from more than 90 countries are eligible for visa-free entry into Qatar. A pre-approved transit visa is no longer needed if you are a citizen of one of these countries.
READ NEXT: Doha Airport Transit Requirements And Procedure
FAQ On Qatar Transit Visa
Do I need a visa for transiting via Doha?
No, you do not need a visa to transit in Doha at Hamad International Airport. A visa is only required if you want to leave the airport and enter Qatar.
How much does Qatar Transit Visa cost?
Qatar Transit Visa is issued free. However, only one stopover is permitted on the entire journey.
Can I extend my Qatar Transit Visa?
No. The visa cannot be extended for more than 96 hours.
Do I get a complimentary hotel stay with a Qatar Transit Visa?
No. Any hotel or accommodation must be arranged and paid for by the passenger(s).
Should I collect my baggage if I have a Transit Visa?
If your stopover is more than 24 hours, baggage must be collected in Doha. If less than 24 hours, you have the option to collect at your final destination.
Can I apply for Qatar Transit Visa online?
The online Transit Visa service by Qatar Airways is currently suspended. Please contact your nearest Qatar Airways office.
Can I leave Doha Airport in transit?
You can leave Doha Airport only if you have valid Qatar visa (visa on arrival, transit visa, etc.)
Related Articles:
- Carrying Medicines to Qatar: Important Things To Know
- How To Apply Qatar Tourist Visa Through Hayya
- Visiting Qatar: The Complete Guide
- Doha Metro Guide: Map, Stations, Timings, Ticket Prices
- Qatar Visit Visa Types, Requirements, and Cost
- Drinking Alcohol in Qatar: Important Rules To Know
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Hi
I have made 2 separate return flight bookings, 1) Mumbai- Doha – Mumbai, and 2)Doha – Cairo- Doha
I will be transiting Doha Airport for my onward Journey to Cairo, with a Transit wait time of 7 Hours.
My flight (Air India) arrives at 9.15 pm, and the following day at 4.10 am i will be departing for Cairo. I will be required to collect my baggage and then again check in with Egypt Air
On the return leg from Cairo, I wish to stay for 2 nights with my friend, and then proceed to Mumbai with my Mumbai-Doha-Mumbai return ticket
My Query
For my first leg can i get a Transit Visa on arrival to collect my baggage for onward Journey to Cairo,
Again, a tourist visa or on arrival for my return Journey with Transit in Doha for 2 nights before returning to Mumbai, I will be staying with my friend and not in a hotel
PLEASE HELP AND ADVISE TO BOOK MY TICKETS
best regards,
Venkat
Mumbai, India
Hi Venkat, Online transit visa service is currently suspended. Only Qatar Airways offices are issuing transit visa to their customers (in some cases). As your airline is Air India, we don’t think you can get a Transit Visa. For tourist visa on arrival, the rule is that Indian nationals require Discover Qatar booking (regular hotel booking or staying with relatives is not accepted). Due to these reasons, we don’t have a solution to offer you. Kindly contact Qatar Government Helpline at +974-44069999 or [email protected].
Hi,
I am from Vietnam (not in the list of countries that have visa on arrival), I will have 19 hour transit between Qatar airway flights. Please let me know how I can apply for Transit visa.
Thanks
Hi TuanAnh, You have two options: (1) Request you local Qatar Airways office for a transit visa (some offices may do that, while some will not). (2) Get a Tourist Visa by applying on Hayya portal: https://www.dohaguides.com/how-to-apply-qatar-tourist-visa-online/
Hi I hold a Sri Lankan passport travelling Qartar Airways from botswana to Sri Lanka.. I will be having more than 8 hours transit.. I have a cousin I havent seen for more than 5 years living in Qartar & would like to take this stop over opportunity to visit her.. how do I get a transit visa for a few days?
Hi Sarah, Please contact the local Qatar Airways office because online Transit Visa is suspended.
New tourist visa type will be launched in the coming days, but it is yet to be announced. So you cannot apply for that now.
Hi,
I am holding a Philippine passport, do I need transit visa for 2 -3 hours transit? Thank you.
Hi Aaki, You don’t need transit visa if you are not leaving airport.
Hi,
Do I need a transit visa if my layover time is 3.5 hours?
Hi Tap, Transit Visa is not needed if you are not leaving the airport.