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 05 February 2023.
Qatar has a special Visa On Arrival scheme for residents of GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, or UAE) if they meet the eligibility criteria.
As per this facility, also known as the GCC Residents Entry Permit, qualified professionals who hold valid residency permits in any GCC country can get visas on arrival in Qatar.
This article explains the eligibility conditions, list of professions eligible, visa fees, duration of stay, etc., about Qatar Visa On Arrival for GCC Residents.
- Recent Updates
- Qatar Visa On Arrival for GCC Residents
- Conditions for Qatar Visa On Arrival for GCC Residents
- List of Professions Eligible
- Visa For Accompanying Family & Staff
- GCC Residents’ Visa Fees
- Validity and Extension of Visa
- Vaccination & Quarantine Requirements
- How to Apply for GCC Residents’ Visa
- Documents Checklist For Travel
- What to do if your profession is not on the list?
- FAQ on Qatar GCC Residents’ Visa
Recent Updates
29 JANUARY 2023 UPDATE
From 1 February 2023, health insurance is mandatory for all visitors to Qatar. Visitors can buy a basic health insurance for QAR 50 for any of the registered insurance companies listed on MOPH website. More details are available here.
JANUARY 2023 STATUS
Please note that the list of eligible professions was modified in December 2022. The list of 54 eligible professions is given below. The professional title on your National ID should exactly match the list. If you are not sure about your eligibility, please call the Qatar Government Helpline at +974-4406 9999 to confirm your eligibility.
Those who are not eligible for GCC Resident’s visit visa may check if they are eligible for a regular visa on arrival (based on their nationality). For regular visas on arrival, Discover Qatar hotel booking is required for nationals of India, Pakistan, Iran, Thailand, and Ukraine. Click here for more details.
Qatar Visa On Arrival for GCC Residents
Residents of GCC countries, who are employed as qualified professionals, and those accompanying them can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days in Qatar.
However, it is important to note that the visitor should arrive from their country of residence in GCC.
For example, a Philippines national who is a resident of the UAE should be travelling from UAE, not from the Philippines.
Below are the conditions for issuing the GCC Residents visa:
Conditions for Qatar Visa On Arrival for GCC Residents
The visa will only be issued if you meet all the below conditions:
- The passport should be valid for at least six months from arrival.
- The visitor should have a valid residence permit card issued by any GCC country (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia or UAE).
- The GCC residence permit should be valid for at least three months from arrival.
- The profession (as mentioned on the residence permit card) should appear in the below list.
- The visitor should have a return ticket.
- The visitor should have a confirmed hotel reservation.
- The visitor should be travelling from his country of residence.
- The visitor should have health insurance (as per MOPH guidelines)
Qatar Airways has listed the following additional requirements. However, these are not always asked for. It would be better if you could have these:
- Official evidence proving business in Qatar (in case of business visits).
- A letter issued by a sponsor in Qatar showing the sponsor’s name and telephone number.
NOTE: According to the Qatar Airways website, the Residence Permit should be valid for 6 months. However, according to the Ministry of Interior, the minimum requirement is 3 months only. If your document’s validity is less than 6 months, please confirm with your airline.
List of Professions Eligible
The following categories of professionals with valid resident permits from any GCC country can get visas on arrival to Qatar. They have been arranged in alphabetical order for your convenience. The below list was reviewed on 04 January 2023.
- Accountant
- Advisor (All Kinds)
- Air Safety Controller
- Analyst (Financial)
- Archeological Researcher
- Astronomer
- Auditor (Financial – Accounts)
- Author/Writer
- Aviation Trainer
- Bank Manager
- Broadcasting Director
- Captain of a Ship/Cruise/Ferry/Tanker
- CEO/ Executive Director
- Chemist (All Specializations)
- Chief Justice
- Chief Prosecutor
- Cinema Director
- Club Director / Chairman
- Co-Pilot
- College Dean
- Consultant (All Specializations)
- Diplomatic (Members of Diplomatic Mission)
- Director
- Economic / Financial Expert
- Embassy Staff in GCC Countries (Except service jobs)
- Engineer
- Geologist (General)
- Hospital Manager
- Hotel Manager
- Information Systems Expert
- Judge
- Lawyer/Advocate
- Legal Expert
- Marine Fire Inspector
- Media Director
- Media Person
- Ministry Undersecretary
- Museum Director
- Physician (All Specializations)
- Physicist
- Pilot
- Professor
- Programmer
- Prosecutor
- Referee (Sports)
- Regional Director
- School Manager
- Scientist
- Surgeon (All Specializations)
- Television Director
- Theater Director
- University Professor
- University Rector / Chancellor
- Veterinary Doctor
Source: List of Eligible Professions on MOI website
NOTE: In addition to the above, some professions like Nurses and Managers may be eligible, but they are not listed on the MOI official website. Some professionals not on the above list who travelled recently were allowed entry while some were refused. If your profession is not listed and you feel you may be eligible, kindly contact the Qatar Government Helpline at +974-4406 9999 and follow their instructions.
Visa For Accompanying Family & Staff
The GCC Residents Visa is also available to accompanying family and personal staff. The accompanying person (if any) should be under your personal sponsorship.
Their passport and residence permit should also meet the minimum validity required.
GCC Residents’ Visa Fees
- The cost of the GCC Residents Visa is QAR 100 (USD 27).
- Fee payment should be made using a credit or debit card.
- The fine for overstaying is QAR 200 (USD 55) per day.
Validity and Extension of Visa
The visa on arrival is valid for 30 days and can be extended for a maximum of three more months by paying QR 100 per month for every additional month. The visa can be extended at any Ministry of Interior Service Centre.
Vaccination & Quarantine Requirements
As per the new travel policy, effective from 1 November 2022:
- All travellers are exempted from Quarantine (unless you test Covid positive).
- All travellers are exempted from Covid Testing.
- All travellers are exempted from Ehteraz pre-travel registration.
- Ehteraz mobile application is only required to enter health centres.
You can learn more about approved vaccines, vaccine validity and quarantine policy here.
How to Apply for GCC Residents’ Visa
The following are the steps to get for GCC residents visa:
Step 1: Check if you meet the requirements
The most important thing is to confirm that your profession is listed in the approved list.
Step 2: Book your flight and hotel
Confirmed return flight tickets are required for a visa on arrival. A regular hotel booking for the duration of the stay is also required. You can cancel or change this booking after arrival in Doha.
Step 3: Travel to Doha
The visa will be issued on arrival if you meet all the above-mentioned requirements.
Step 4: Pay the visa fee
The visa fee should be paid upon arrival in Qatar using a credit/debit card. Normally Visa or Mastercard are accepted.
Documents Checklist For Travel
During travel, the following documents are required:
- Passport
- GCC Residence card
- Return Flight Tickets
- Hotel Booking
- Health Insurance
What to do if your profession is not on the list?
If your profession is not on the above list, there is no guarantee that you may receive a visa on arrival. If you have relatives in Qatar, they can apply for a Family Visit Visa.
In addition, Qatar has a free visa-on-arrival facility for citizens of more than 90 countries. You can read more about it here: Qatar Visa on Arrival: Complete Guide.
READ NEXT: How GCC Residents Can Enter Qatar Without Hayya Card
FAQ on Qatar GCC Residents’ Visa
Can GCC residents get a Qatar visa on arrival?
Yes, If you are a resident of any GCC country (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, or UAE), you may be eligible for a single-entry visa on arrival if you meet the required conditions.
What are the conditions for getting GCC Residents Visa in Qatar?
The visa will only be issued if your residence permit and passport are valid for at least three months and if your profession appears on the eligible list.
How much is the cost of a GCC Residents Visa to Qatar?
A single-entry visa to Qatar can be obtained for a fee of QAR 100. The fee is payable by credit or debit card.
How long is the GCC Residents Visa issued?
GCC Residents Visa to Qatar is a single entry visa valid for 30 days and may be renewed for an additional two months.
Do GCC citizens need visas to enter Qatar?
Citizens of the GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and UAE) do not require a visa to enter Qatar.
Related Articles:
- How To Apply for Vehicle Entry Permit to Qatar
- Qatar Visa On Arrival: Complete Guide
- Visiting Qatar: The Complete Guide
- Carrying Medicines to Qatar: Important Things To Know
- Qatar Visit Visa Types, Duration, and Cost
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Hi am an Indian with residency Visa of UAE as Electrical Engineers written on my Emirates ID. Please confirm if the entry to Qatar can be through visa on arrival and will require a Hotel booking or not.
As per the information seeked here, it seems for me and my family with kids to visit my Brother & family in Qatar, we need to have a Hotel booking. Which really doesnt make a sense. To stay in hotel while by Bro family has got already a home in Qatar to stay.
Can someone confirm is there any provision without a hotel stay booking in this case