The NRI Guides Team regularly reviews this article to ensure the content is up-to-date and accurate. The last editorial review and update were on 06 November 2023.
Citizens of over 95 countries are eligible for visa-free entry into the State of Qatar. Under the visa waiver scheme, nationals of India are also eligible to obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days. After entry, this can be further extended for 30 more days free of cost.
This article will explain the eligibility requirements and procedure and answer the frequently asked questions about Qatar Visa On Arrival For Indians.
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Qatar Visa On Arrival For Indians New Rules
NOVEMBER 2023 STATUS: Qatar Visa On Arrival (VOA) service is open for Indian nationals. However, nationals of 5 countries (India, Pakistan, Iran, Thailand and Ukraine) are required to book their hotel accommodation through the Discover Qatar website.
Discover Qatar hotel booking is compulsory even if the traveller is staying with relatives or friends. Hotel reservations directly from the hotel or through other travel websites are not accepted. Usually, the visa is issued only for the number of days for which the hotel booking is confirmed.
- There is no age limit for travellers arriving on a visa on arrival.
- A COVID-19 vaccination certificate is not needed.
- Ehteraz pre-travel registration is not required in 2023.
- RT-PCR testing is not required for travellers.
Requirements For Qatar Visa On Arrivals For Indians
The following are the requirements for obtaining a Qatar Visa On Arrival for Indians:
a) Passport Validity
The passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of entry.
b) Return Flight Ticket
The traveller should have a return flight ticket or onward ticket to another country. The date of the return ticket should be within 30 days of entry.
c) Hotel Reservation (Discover Qatar)
The traveller should have a hotel reservation confirmation for the duration of the stay. The hotel must be booked through the Discover Qatar website.
About Discover Qatar Hotel Booking
Discover Qatar is the destination management company of Qatar Airways and a partner of Qatar Tourism. Based on your budget and room availability, you can choose from a number of private hotels that are listed under Discover Qatar.
- Unlike regular bookings, Discover Qatar booking cannot be cancelled after the traveller has entered the country using VOA. Cancellations up to 48 hours before the arrival date of your hotel booking are subject to a cancellation fee of QAR 100. Cancellations within 48 hours of arrival are subject to a 100% cancellation fee.
- A minimum of 2 nights and a maximum of 60 nights can be booked under this.
- Maximum occupancy in a room is up to 2 adults and 1 child below 11 years of age using the existing bed configuration.
- Passengers below 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Upon arrival in Doha, get your booking confirmation (paper print) stamped from the Discover Qatar helpline (before immigration).
d) Health Insurance
From 1 February 2023, health insurance is mandatory for all visitors to Qatar. Visitors can buy basic health insurance for QAR 50 from any of the registered insurance companies listed on the MOPH website.
Note that as per the official sources, health insurance is encouraged for all visitors, but only mandatory if you are staying for more than 30 days. If your airline insists that you show visitor insurance you can purchase it online on your mobile phone.
e) Proof of Funds
In March 2022, it was announced that visitors from countries like India and Pakistan (using a visa-on-arrival facility) are required to have a valid international credit card or debit card. Several travellers who didn’t have a credit or debit card were denied visas on arrival. The conditions are as follows:
- The card has to be under the name of the visitor. The card can be under the family head’s name if you are travelling together as a family.
- For debit cardholders, three months’ bank statements with a minimum balance equivalent to at least QR 5,000 is also required.
Cost of Qatar Visa On Arrivals For Indians Cost
Qatar Visa On Arrival for Indian citizens is issued free of cost.
Qatar Visa On Arrivals For Indians Validity
The visa waiver is valid for up to 30 days from the date of arrival. This can be further extended for another 30 days free of cost.
As per the experience of recent travellers, a visa on arrival for Indians is only issued for the number of days for which Discover Qatar hotel booking is confirmed. Sometimes this is 14 days irrespective of the hotel booking. So if you book a hotel for two days, there is a chance that you may get 7 days or 14 days visa, depending on the officer’s discretion.
Here is a short video about Qatar Visa On Arrival for Indians:
How To Renew Qatar Visa On Arrival
As Discover Qatar hotel booking is now mandatory for Indians, it will be needed for an extension also. A visitor can visit the Airport Immigration Office or MOI Service Center with his passport, and confirmation of Discover Qatar hotel booking for an extension of the current visa waiver.
Qatar Government Helpline
For more information, you can contact the Qatar Government Helpline via telephone at 109 (inside Qatar) or +974-44069999 (outside Qatar). The e-mail address is [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Qatar?
Indian citizens travelling to Qatar can get a free visa on arrival for 30 days, with an option to extend for another 30 days. The visa on arrival is issued subject to conditions like passport validity, hotel booking and return air tickets.
Is COVID-19 vaccination required for Indians travelling to Qatar?
As of 2023, a COVID-19 vaccination certificate is not mandatory for travellers from India.
Is PCR testing required for Indians travelling to Qatar?
As of 2023, PCR testing is not mandatory for travellers from India.
Is there any quarantine for travellers from India?
Quarantine is not required for travellers from India even if they are unvaccinated.
Is health insurance required for a Qatar Visa On Arrival?
With effect from 1 February 2023, health insurance is mandatory for visa on arrival.
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- How To Change Name on Indian Passport
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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.
