Qatar Visit Visa Types, Requirements and Procedure (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 06 February 2024.

As one of the rising Middle East tourist destinations and the successful host of FIFA World Cup 2022, it’s no wonder that people want to visit Qatar. With its sandy beaches, luxury hotels, and endless shopping opportunities, there is something for everyone in Qatar.

As for every other country, the first step in planning an international trip is to check the visa requirements. In this article, we will look at the different types of visas available for Qatar and offer tips on making your Qatar Visit Visa application process as smooth as possible.

So, whether you are planning a quick trip or an extended stay in Qatar, read on for everything you need to know about visas.

Qatar Visit Visa Types

Thanks to various visa facilitation measures, Qatar is now the most open country in the Middle East. Visitors worldwide can now enter Qatar visa-free or by filling out simple online applications, depending on their passports. Here are the different visit visa options to enter Qatar:

Qatar Visa on Arrival (Visa Waiver)

Citizens of more than 90 countries are eligible for visa-free entry into the State of Qatar, with varying allowable lengths of stay.

They need a passport with a minimum validity of six months, a hotel reservation and a confirmed onward or return ticket. There are additional conditions for some nationalities. You can read more details about visa-free entry here:

Qatar Visa On Arrival: Complete Guide

Qatar Family Visit Visa

An expatriate resident working in Qatar can sponsor his/her family members to visit (if the resident meets the requirements). This visa is valid for 30 days and can be extended for up to 6 months after a medical test. You can read more about the Family Visit Visa here:

How To Apply For Qatar Family Visit Visa

Qatar Tourist Visa

Qatar Visit Visa

Individuals not eligible for visa-free entry can apply for a Tourist Visa online. Visitors to Qatar travelling onboard any airline may apply for a Tourist Visa through the Hayya portal.

The cost of the Qatar Tourist Visa is QAR 100. Tourist Visa holders can stay in Qatar for up to 30 days on a single trip. You can read more about Qatar Tourist Visa here:

Qatar Tourist Visa Online: Application Guide

Qatar Transit Visa

The Qatar Transit Visa scheme allows transiting passengers of all nationalities to enter Qatar for up to 96 hours (4 days) in between flights. This facility is offered through Qatar Airways and has to be applied online in advance. You can read more about Qatar Transit Visa here:

How To Get Qatar Transit Visa For Free

Qatar Visit Visa for GCC Residents

Residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia or UAE), who are employed in qualifying professions and those accompanying them may obtain a GCC Residents Visit Visa (GCC Residents Entry Permit). They can also apply for GCC Resident Visa (A2) through Hayya portal. You can read more about GCC Residents Visit Visa here:

Qatar Visa for GCC Residents

Qatar-Oman Joint Tourist Visa

This visa is issued upon arrival and is valid for 30 days for the State of Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman. It allows for entries to both countries. You can read more about the Qatar-Oman Joint Tourist Visa here:

Guide to Qatar-Oman Joint Tourist Visa

Qatar Business Visa

The business visa is issued for professionals and businessmen visiting Qatar for meetings, conferences, short-term contract work, etc. There are two types of business visas: 72-hour business visas and 30 or 90 days business visas.

Qatar Business Visa Requirements and Application Guide

Electronic Travel Authorisation

Airplane At Airport

Individuals who are not eligible for visa-free entry but who hold a valid residence permit or visit visa to either Schengen countries, Australia, Canada, UK, USA or New Zealand, can obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) through Hayya portal.

Qatar ETA Visa Online: Application Guide

Visa Exemptions for GCC Citizens

Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and UAE) do not require a visa to enter Qatar.


How To Apply for Qatar Visit Visa

The application process for Qatar Visit Visa will depend on the type of visa. For Family Visit Visa, a sponsor must make the application online or offline.

In the case of a Tourist Visa, Transit Visa, or ETA, it should be applied online by the traveller. Qatar Visa On Arrival, Qatar-Oman Joint Tourist Visa, and GCC Residents Visa will be issued at the airport if the passenger meets eligibility conditions.


Qatar Visit Visa Price

The price for Qatar Visit Visa depends on the type of visa. While some visas are issued free of cost, you need to pay for some visas. Here is a summary of the fees for various types of Qatar Visit Visas.

Visa TypeVisa Fee
(Main Applicant)
Qatar Visa On ArrivalFree
Qatar Family Visit VisaQR 200
Qatar Tourist VisaQR 100
Qatar Transit VisaFree
GCC Residents Visit VisaQR 100
Qatar-Oman Joint Tourist VisaQR 100
Electronic Travel AuthorisationQR 100
Visa Exemption for GCC CitizensFree

Qatar Visit Visa Duration

The duration of the Qatar Visit Visa depends on the type of visa. Most of these visas can be extended up to 60 or 90 days, while Transit Visa cannot be extended beyond 96 hours.

Visa TypeVisa
Duration
Can Be
Extended Up To
Qatar Visa On Arrival30 or 90 days*60 or 90 days*
Qatar Family Visit Visa30 days90 or 180 days
Qatar Tourist Visa30 days60 days
Qatar Transit Visa96 hoursNA
GCC Residents Visit Visa30 days90 days
Qatar-Oman Joint Tourist Visa30 days60 days
Electronic Travel Authorisation30 days60 days
Visa Exemption for GCC Citizens30 days90 days

*Depending on the visitor’s nationality. 30 days visa is extendable up to 60 days. 90 days visa is not extendable.


How To Check Qatar Visit Visa Application Status

If you have applied for a Qatar Visit Visa, you can check the application station by following the below steps:

Step 1: Go to the Qatar Visa Services page on the Ministry of Interior website

Here is the link for the Qatar Visa Services page on the MOI website.

Step 2: Click on “Visa Approval Tracking”

Check Qatar Visa Approval Status

This button is shown with a green tick mark on the page.

Step 3: Select Visa Type as “Visit”

Check Qatar Visit Visa Application Status

Since you are following up on a visit visa application, select “Visit” as the option.

Step 4: Enter Visa Application Number and Select Nationality.

You can get the application number from the acknowledgement receipt you received after applying.

Step 5: Enter the Verification Code and click on “Submit”

After clicking the “Submit” button, you can see the visa application status. Sometimes the visa may be approved, but the sponsor will be asked to make the visa payment before the visa is issued. The payment can be made offline at the MOI service centre or online using the Metrash2 app or the MOI portal.

You can see the visa details on the screen if the visa is issued. You can also use the “Print Visa” option to save as PDF or print it using a printer.


Qatar Visit Visa Extension Procedure

Most types of visit visas can be extended online through the Ministry of Interior (MOI) website. You need to do the medical test for a visit visa extension for a family visit visa. For all other visit visas, you do not need a medical test. Here is how you can extend the visit visa on the MOI website:

Step 1: Go to Visa Extension Service on the MOI portal

Here s the link to the visa extension page. You can also find this under MOI Services –> Inquiries –> Visa Services.

Step 2: Enter the Visa Number or Passport Number

Qatar Visit Visa Extension

Step 3: Select Nationality from the drop-down list

Step 4: Enter the verification code and click on the “Extend” button

Step 5: Select the extension duration and pay the extension fee (if needed)

You do not have to pay for the extension for a visa on arrival. The extension can be done for a family visit visa through the Metrash mobile app. You will receive a confirmation message on the screen.

You can check the validity of your visa on the Ministry of Interior website. Here is how to check the validity of a Qatar visa.

READ NEXT: Essential Guide To Qatar’s Visa On Arrival Facility


Frequently Asked Questions


Is Qatar visit visa open now?

Qatar has opened various types of visit visas, including Visa On Arrival, Family Visit Visa and GCC Resident’s Visa.

Can I search for a job in Qatar while on a visit visa?

Yes, you can look for jobs or attend job interviews while on a visit visa. However, working while on a visit visa is illegal.

Can I change my Qatar visit visa to a work visa?

Yes, if the visitor receives a job offer and an employer is ready to sponsor him, the visit visa can be converted to a work visa.

Is health insurance required for Qatar visit visa?

From February 2023, health insurance is now mandatory for visitors to Qatar.


Related Articles:

  1. Visiting Qatar: The Complete Guide
  2. Carrying Medicines To Qatar: Things To Know
  3. Doha Metro Map, Stations, Timings, and Tickets
  4. Drinking Alcohol in Qatar: Important Rules To Know
  5. Doha Airport Transit Guide

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29 thoughts on “Qatar Visit Visa Types, Requirements and Procedure (2024)”

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  1. Hi Sir,
    for family visit visa, do we need to pay QAR 200 per month per head for each month until we leave the country.

  2. Dear DG
    Gd mrng
    How many months family visit visa can be extendable as per latest updates?
    Will Family visit visas can be change to Resident visa after medical appreoval?
    appreciate reply

  3. Dear Sir
    1.Is Hayya Card extendable after jan 2024?
    2.Can family visit visa be applied for 72 year father(Indian nationality)?
    Please advise

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Muhammed, Family Visit Visa is single entry, so returning to Qatar may not be possible. They can leave for Umrah during end of their stay and return to home country directly from Saudi.

  4. I am planning to travel from Jaipur to Seattle via two separately booked flights (Jaipur -> Doha) and (Doha -> Seattle). I will need a transit visa to collect the luggage at Doha and re-check in for the forward flights. I have a 5-hour layover so I am not planning to go out of Doha airport. I am an Indian national with an L1-B US visa. How much time it will take to get a transit visa at Doha to collect the luggage once I land there? Will it be free of cost? If not then what is the cost per person? Is there a way to apply for it online or it will be done only at the Doha airport upon arrival.

  5. I will be travelling to Johannesburg in March using Qatar airways and would like to transit via Doha for 2 hours. I have a Refugee UN Conventions travel document am l allowed to transit via Doha? I am not going to go into Doha as l know my passport is not allowed.

  6. As reported by the Ministry of Health yesterday, visitors to Qatar must have a health insurance policy from February 1, 2023. so, is Health insurance also required for those family visa visitors who already have been approved and planning to travel on Feb 23?
    is Health insurance required in-addition of travel insurance to enter in Qatar?

    pls advice

  7. Hello,

    I have Indonesia Nationality, which visa I can used to enter Qatar? Visa on Arrival or Family Visit Visa? My husband (Indonesia) just worked at Qatar for 3 months but already have QID.

    Thanks

    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Maulana, You can come by Visa On Arrival or Family Visit Visa. VOA is free and you can stay for up to 2 months only. A Family Visit Visa is expensive and needs a medical test for renewal, but you can stay up to 3 or 6 months (as per the current rule it is 3 months only).

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