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 2024.
If you are traveling internationally and have a layover at Qatar’s Hamad International Airport, you may be wondering whether or not you need a transit visa. The answer depends on several factors like which airline you have chosen, the type of tickets you have purchased, and whether you plan to leave the airport.
This article will answer the question of whether you need a transit visa for Qatar or not. We will also see some of the situations where a visa will be required for transit passengers.
Do I Need Transit Visa For Qatar Airport?
The broad answer to this question is no, you do not need a transit visa as long as you do not leave the airport. Unlike some other countries, Qatar does not require transit passengers to hold any type of Qatar visa if they are staying within the transit area.
However there may be some situations where you will need a visa even if you are a transit passenger. By understanding the visa requirements and applying for your visa in advance, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free layover in Qatar.
Let’s discuss them in detail.
Are You Visiting The City?
The first question you need to ask is if you are planning to leave the airport and visit the city. If you have a layover for a few hours and you plan to spend time sight-seeing or meeting-up with some friends in Doha, you will need a visa. This can be any type of visa such as a Transit Visa, Visa On Arrival, Family Visit Visa, Hayya Visa, etc.
If you do not plan to visit the city, let’s move on to the next question.
How Did You Book Your Flights?
The next question is how your flights were booked. Let’s explain this through an example where you are travelling from London to Singapore through Doha.
Scenario 1
(1) The first possible scenario is that you have made a single reservation (London to Singapore) through Airline X’s website, and paid only once. In spite of this, the airline assigned two flights with the same airline: London to Doha on Airline X, and Doha to Singapore on Airline X.
In the above scenario, Airline X is responsible for your transit. You do not have to collect your checked-in baggage, as it will be handled by the airline. You will not be exiting through immigration counters and hence do not need a transit visa for Qatar.
Scenario 2
(2) The second scenario is that you have booked a single flight (London to Singapore) through Airline X’s website, and paid only once. But the airline assigned two flights with different airlines: London to Doha on Airline X, and Doha to Singapore on Airline Y (which has a code sharing agreement with Airline X).
In the above scenario, airlines are responsible for your transit. You do not have to collect your checked-in baggage, as it will be handled by the airlines. You will not be exiting through immigration counters and hence do not need a transit visa for Qatar.
Scenario 3
(3) The third scenario is that you have booked two flights through different airlines (Airline X and Airline Y) or made two different bookings on the same airline’s website (Airline X). In this scenario, you are responsible for collecting your checked-in baggage.
You will need to pass through immigration to collect checked-in baggage from conveyor belts outside immigration counters. This means you will need a visa even if you are not leaving the airport. You will have to meet all requirements for a visitor visa such as health insurance (for all visitor visas) and hotel booking (in some cases).
You will have to collect the baggage from the Arrivals area and check-in again through the Departures area. Luckily, at Hamad International Airport, both areas are in the same building (on different floors) and there is only one terminal. But make sure you have enough time between the flights. In such cases, we recommend having at least four hours in between the flights.
Visa-Free Entry
Citizens of 90+ countries are eligible for visa-free entry into Qatar, which means they can stay in the country for up to 60 or 90 days without a visa.
In general, the requirements for a Visa On Arrival include a passport with 6 months validity, a confirmed onward ticket, hotel reservation, and health insurance. It may also be necessary to book a hotel through Discover Qatar for some nationalities (India, Pakistan, Iran, Thailand & Ukraine).
Some of the countries that are eligible for visa-free entry into Qatar include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many European countries. However, it is imperative to note that the list of eligible countries can change, so it is always recommended to double-check the latest requirements before you travel.
You can see the list of nationalities and read more about Qatar Visa On Arrival here.
Transit Visa
Since 2016, Qatar was offering a complimentary transit visa for up to 96 hours. Passengers could apply for this visa in advance through the Qatar Airways website. However this service is currently suspended.
According to Qatar Government Helpline, eligible passengers can get a Transit Visa subject to Immigration Official’s discretion. However, the eligibility criteria are not clearly defined. So it is better to have a plan in place.
Qatar Airways Transit Accommodation
Travellers can also benefit from a Qatar Airways complimentary transit accommodation package. This service is for passengers who have a transit time of 8 to 24 hours, with no immediate connections and is applicable on select routes.
The package includes a hotel room, airport transfer, and entry visa. You can find more details here. In this case, please discuss about your visa requirements with Qatar Airways well in advance.
Check Qatar Airways Offers
Make yourtrip to Qatar unforgettable! Check the latest offers from Qatar Airways, Qatar’s own 5-star airline, rated as one of the best in the world. With its reputation for luxury, comfort, and a wide-reaching global network, booking with Qatar Airways ensures an extraordinary travel experience
Qatar Airways Transit Tour
If your transit is 8 hours and more, you can turn your stop into an extended holiday by joining a city tour of Doha. You can find more details here. Again, make sure to discuss about your visa requirements with Qatar Airways.
Please note that you should always check the latest visa requirements and regulations before traveling, as they can change frequently.
If you have questions about Qatar Visa, please contact the Qatar Government Helpline at +974-44069999 or [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my nationality is not eligible for Visa On Arrival?
If you are a citizen of a country that is not eligible for visa-free entry into Qatar, you should check with your airline on how to get a transit visa. You can also contact the Qatar Government Helpline at +974-44069999 or [email protected].
I have a US Green Card / EU / UK / Canada / Australia Permanent Residence. But my nationality is not eligible. Can I get Visa On Arrival?
Qatar Visa On Arrival is only based on your nationality (passport). Having a permanent residence in another country doesn’t make you eligible for Visa On Arrival.
Where can I store my baggage if I want to leave the airport for a city tour?
You can find more about luggage storage at Hamad International Airport here.
NEXT: Check Our Guide On Qatar Airport Transit Procedure
Related Articles:
- Qatar Visa On Arrival Guide
- How Hayya Card Holders Can Visit Qatar
- Qatar Visitor Visa For Filipino
- Doha Airport Transit Guide
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I am Indian citizen and my layover is for 19 hrs. I am going to canada from india .
1. Do i need transit visa ?
2. If i want to stay in hostel? What do i need?
Hi Kulvir, (1) You need a transit visa (or any visit visa) only if you are leaving airport. If you stay inside airport, transit visa is not required.
(2) If you are leaving airport to stay in a hotel apply for a Tourist Visa, as explained here: https://www.dohaguides.com/how-to-apply-qatar-tourist-visa-online/
Hi, Me with my family travelling from Geneva to Abu Dhabi using Qatar airways with a layover of 16hrs in Doha. I am an Indian passport holder and have UAE residence visa permit. I am planning to go out of Doha airport and visit Doha city on my own. Please advise on
1) How to get a transit visa which will allow me to go to city and the requirement to get the visa
2) Can I book hotel of my own?
3) Do I need to collect my luggages and get the boarding pass again for the onward journey?
Thank you
Hi Imaad, (1) Nowadays Transit Visa can only be applied through the Qatar Airways office in your country. If you are travelling by Qatar Airways you can check this directly with them. You can also check the option for hotel accommodation since you have 16-hour transit. If that doesn’t work see the below option:
(2) Visa on arrival for Indian citizens require Discover Qatar hotel booking for minimum 2 nights. In your case it would be a financial loss since you stay only one day. Our suggestion is that you book any hotel (or stay with any friend) and apply for a Hayya Tourist Visa (A1). Here are the details: https://www.dohaguides.com/how-to-apply-qatar-tourist-visa-online/
(3) Regarding the luggage collection you need to check with your airline. Usually it is not required if both flights are under one PNR.
my name is Evans and l am travel from Accra Ghana Through Doha and Brazil to my final destination Chile with Qatar Airline’s. Pls do l need transit visa.
Hi Evans, If you have booked all your flights under one booking (paid only once), you don’t need transit visa. Your airline will take care of your baggage.
I have a flight from KTM to Doha on (Qatar Airways) and Doha to Copenhagen on ( Finn Air ..Codeshare partner of Qatar Airways).. This is a case of Scenario 2.. In such case do I need transit visa? moreover, will Finn Air transfer my luggage to my final destination ( Copenhagen)??
Hi Lakpa, If you have booked both flights with the same airline you won’t need a transit visa and your airline will do the baggage transfer. You can double-check this with your airline.
hello! i have a 14 hour layover in doha and plan to have a 4 hour tour around the city. i’m eligible for a visa on arrival. do i need a hotel reservation? I dont have one because I plan to just do the tour and come back to the airport. thanks!
Hi Lucy, If your nationality is eligible for visa on arrival without Discover Qatar hotel booking, you can enter without hotel booking. Just show your return flight ticket.
hello, i have 9hr layover at doha hamad international airport and i am not planning to leaving the transit area. connecting airline is the same qatar airways. do i need to get a transit visa? i was informed that 5 to 24 hours layover in doha are required to get transit visa?
Hi Roel, You don’t need a transit visa if you are not leaving the airport. Note that if you have paid for two separate tickets you will need to exit the airport and check-in again. If you paid for only one ticket (the connection flight was scheduled by your airline) you don’t need to exit.
Those with 5 hours or more transit are eligible for transit visa, but this is an option to go for sight-seeing (not mandatory).
Hi,
I am transiting through Doha through two different airlines. The travel agency mentioned that I would require to do a Self-Transfer.
However, I have no check-in luggage.
In that case, am I required to checkout and check-in again for the next flight?
Thanks in Advance
Hi Jyoti, Even if you don’t have a luggage, you need to collect the boarding pass from your second airline. Check-in counters are usually outside. So you may have to exit the transit area. Please double check with the travel agent.
Hi,
If my family is travelling under staff ticket which is a standby ticket, but doesn’t have any plans on leaving the airport, booking on the same airline as well. Do they need a transit visa or any kind of visa since the requirement says confirmed ticket and I can’t seem to find anything about staff/standby tickets.
I would appreciate any leads.
Thank you.
Hi Keilah, They don’t need transit visa if staying inside the airport. However during the check-in they will be asked for visa and tickets to final destination. So if they don’t have an onward ticket from Doha to the final destination, you should discuss this with your airline in advance. Or at least have a visa to Qatar.
Hello, I have 3hr layover in Hamad Airport and I won’t be leaving the airport as airline is responsible for the transfer of my checked-in luggage. My case is( scenarios 2). my question is; is the no transit visa situation applies to all nationalities ?
Hi Maretah, There is no need of transit visa if you are not leaving the airport. The rule is same for all nationalities.
My nationality (passport) is one of the visa free country listed (Indonesia), I have 20hrs layover, do I still need to apply for Tourist Visa so I can get outside of the airport? Thank you
Hi Ayu, If you meet eligibility conditions for Visa On Arrival, you don’t have to apply in advance.
I have 14 hours layover. Do I need a transit visa to get to the hotel outside the airport? If so, how to apply?
Hi Gugulami, To leave the airport you will need a visa. It can be transit visa, tourist visa, or visa on arrival (if your nationality is eligible). Please check: https://www.dohaguides.com/qatar-visa-on-arrival-requirements-eligibility/
Is there a sleeping area in Qatar Airport if I have more than 8 hours of layover?
Hi Angela, There are sleeping lounges and sleeping pods. Please check: https://dohahamadairport.com/relax
Hi Team,
Booked DEL-MCT-DOH-SFO travel. DEL-DOH leg is on Oman Air and DOH-SFO is Oman Air operated by Qatar Airways. Stoppver at Doh is 12 hours. Travelling on Indian Passport. Will I be eligible for a transit visa at Doha
Hi Ankit, Online transit visa service is currently suspended. You can check with your local Qatar Airways office if they can issue transit visa. Since you have US visa, you can apply for ETA visa online: https://www.dohaguides.com/qatar-eta-visa-online/