Qatar Visa For UK Citizens and Residents (2024)

Doha Guides Team regularly reviews this article to ensure the content is up-to-date and accurate. The last editorial review and update were on 16 January 2024.

The UK and Qatar are strong partners, collaborating on various important matters like politics, business, security, and the economy.

Each year, thousands of people from the UK, including both citizens and residents, come to Qatar for holidays and employment opportunities. Qatar Tourism even ranks the United Kingdom among the top 10 countries that send visitors to Qatar. Moreover, Qatar is home to a flourishing community of British expatriates.

This article explains everything you need to know about getting a Qatar Visa for UK Citizens and the essential things to consider before traveling to Qatar.

Qatar Visa For UK Citizens

Qatar has a very liberal visa-on-arrival policy that enables travellers from more than 100 countries to visit Qatar without a pre-arranged visa. This approach is commonly referred to as a visa-waiver program.

Now, let’s address the most common question:

Here are the important requirements to get a visa on arrival:

1. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after you arrive.
2. You should have a return or onward flight ticket.
3. You must have a hotel booking or a confirmed accommodation.
4. If you plan to stay in Qatar for more than 30 days, you must get a visitor’s health insurance through the MOPH website.

For more information about Qatar’s visa-on-arrival program, check out our Complete Guide To Qatar Visa On Arrival.

Qatar Visa for British Passport Holders

Note that you can get a tourist visa on arrival if you’re travelling on a full British Citizen passport. You must still get a visa if:

• You are travelling for any purpose other than tourism.
• You hold another type of British passport.

Qatar Visa For UK Citizens Cost

Getting a visa on arrival (visa waiver) in Qatar is free for UK citizens. The visa extension is also free.

Qatar Visa For UK Residents

The free visa-on-arrival facility applies only to UK citizens and not to UK residents or UK visitors.

• If you are a UK resident with a foreign passport, you should check if your home country’s passport is eligible to get a visa on arrival in Qatar.
• If not, you can apply for ETA Visa (A3) through Hayya Portal.
• You can also enter using other pre-approved visas like Tourist Visa, Family Visit Visa or Business Visa.

Qatar Visa For UK Visa Holders

If you hold a valid visa to the United Kingdom you can enter the State of Qatar by applying for ETA Visa (A3) through Hayya Portal.

Alternatively you can check if your nationality is eligible for visa-on-arrival.

Qatar Transit Visa For UK Citizens

If you are UK citizen (or citizen of any country) passing through Doha airport and don’t plan to leave the airport, you don’t need a transit visa. For more information about this, read our detailed guide on transit through Doha airport.

The online application service for the Qatar Transit Visa is currently suspended. If you want to explore the city during your layover, you can get a visa on arrival as mentioned earlier. Or, you can ask your local Qatar Airways office if they can help you get a Transit Visa.

Qatar Oman Joint Visa

UK citizens can also visit Qatar without a visa if they have a tourist visa from Oman. You can read about the Qatar-Oman Joint Tourist Visa here.

Flying To Qatar

If you’re booking flights to Qatar, we highly recommend Qatar Airways. It’s a 5-star airline known for its luxury, comfort, and extensive global network. Booking with Qatar Airways means you’ll have an amazing travel experience. Check out the latest offers from Qatar Airways here.

Things To Consider While Visiting Qatar

UK citizens visiting Qatar should respect the local traditions, cultures, and laws. Here are some important things to remember:

• Dress modestly: Cover your shoulders, chest, stomach, and knees. Tight leggings should be covered by long shirts or dresses. Here is a helpful article on how to what to wear in Qatar.
• Driving: UK citizens can drive temporarily in Qatar with their UK driver’s license. The British Embassy recommends getting an International Driving Permit (IDP) from the UK. Read our guide to driving in Qatar for more details.
• Alcohol: Alcohol is allowed but strictly regulated. It’s only available in limited places to non-Muslim, non-Qatari adults who are 21 or older. Public drinking and getting drunk are against the law.
• Drugs: Most drugs that are illegal in the UK are also illegal in Qatar, including marijuana/THC.
• Relationships: Living together while unmarried is illegal in Qatar. Sex outside marriage is illegal for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples.
• Personal ID: You are required by law to carry a physical form of identification at all times.
• Privacy: It’s illegal to take pictures or videos of people without their permission.
• Medical care: Pregnant women should be prepared to show a marriage certificate to get prenatal care. Also, remember that UK health insurance may not work overseas, so it’s smart to get extra insurance for medical emergencies.
• LGBTQIA+ travelers: Homosexuality is against the law in Qatar. Check the official Travel Advice from British Embassy.

Qatar Entry Requirements For UK Citizens

If you are a visitor to Qatar, follow these entry requirements:

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months to get a visa-waiver.
• Your passport must be machine-readable.
• You must have a confirmed accommodation.
• You need a return or onward flight ticket.
• If you plan to stay in Qatar for more than 30 days, you must have health insurance. The standard insurance premium is 50 Qatari riyals per person, per month.
• In 2023, you don’t need COVID vaccination or PCR testing to enter Qatar.
• If you’re coming from Afghanistan or Pakistan, you need to be vaccinated against polio.

British Embassy in Qatar

The British Embassy in Qatar maintains and develops relations between the UK and Qatar.

The British Embassy in Qatar is located at West Bay (Dafna Area). Consular services are provided at the embassy by appointment only.

You can phone the Consular Section on +974 4496 2000 (available 24/7). You can also find additional details on the UK Embassy in Qatar website.

Emergency Contacts

• If you need urgent help from British Embassy call +974 4496 2000 (available 24/7).
• If you’re in the UK and worried about a British person in Qatar, call 020 7008 5000 (available 24/7).
• For emergency services within Qatar (police, ambulance, fire) call 999.

READ NEXT: Guide To Qatar Visa On Arrival

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Articles:

1. Carrying Medicines To Qatar: Things To Know
2. Qatar Customs Prohibited Items
3. How Much Cash and Gold Can Your Bring To Qatar
4. Driving in Qatar: Rules For Visitors
5. Visiting Qatar: Complete Guide

Copyright © DohaGuides.com – Unauthorized reproduction of this article in any language is prohibited. The information provided on this website is intended for general guidance and informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, and travelers are encouraged to verify visa requirements and travel advisories through official government sources before making any travel arrangements.

Aneesh Abdulkader

Aneesh, the Founder & Editor of DG Pixels, holds a Master’s Degree in Communication & Journalism, and has two decades of experience living in the Middle East. Since 2014, he and his team have been sharing helpful content on travel, visa rules, and expatriate affairs.