Qatar Tourist and Transit Visas

IfWhen you're travelling to a foreign country, it's important to have all your paperwork sorted out to avoid any problems. Here we take a look at how to apply for a tourist visa or a transit visa for a trip to Qatar.

Non-GCC Resident Tourist Process

The State of Qatar issues 30-day, single-entry Tourist Visas on arrival for nationals of these 33 countries:

USA, Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, The Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and South Korea.

Citizens from outside the above countries should arrange for a tourist visa through a Qatari embassy, hotel in Qatar or Qatar Airways prior to their arrival. Applicants are required to supply a sponsor ID in the application, which can be from a relative living in Qatar or an ID supplied by a hotel. 

Application Process
Follow these steps to apply for a Tourist Visa online through Qatar Airways, hotels or a sponsor:

• Fill out the required information in the online application form here>>

• Pay appropriate fees if the application is approved.

• Print visa.

Follow these steps to apply for a Tourist Visa offline through hotels:

• Fill out the online application form (Click here to visit the online form>>), then submit it through the hotel manager or his representative.

• Provide a copy of your passport.

• Provide the original hotel registration document and ID of the applicant.

• Pay appropriate fees if the application is approved.

If you do not wish to do the application yourself and you're staying at a hotel, you can verify if the hotel can arrange a visa for you.

Tourist Visa fees are QR100 and QR50 for each accompanying person. If you overstay, you will be fined QR200 per day.

Conditions
Visa holders are not allowed to work in Qatar during their stay.

You might also be interested in:

• Sightseeing in Qatar

• Dress code in Qatar

• Upcoming Qatar events

Resident GCC Visit Visa Process

GCC residents with authorized professions and those accompanying them may apply for an entry visa upon arrival at the airport or border. They may also apply for the visa through a Qatari embassy ahead of time. The visa is extendable for abn additional three months.  Click here for a list of the authorized professions >>

Application Process
Follow these steps to apply for a visa:

• Bring along all required documents, including your passport and documents confirming your profession.

• Fill out any required documents.

• Pay appropriate fees.

Conditions
Applicants must fulfill the following requirements to qualify for the instant visa:

• Currently employed in one of the 201 authorized professions.

• GCC residence permit and passport both valid for at least six months.

• Possess a return ticket to point of origin.

The GCC Resident Visit Visas fees are QR100 and QR50 for each accompanying person. If you overstay, you will be fined QR200 per day.

Transit Visa

As of November 1, 2016, all Qatar Airways passengers who are transiting temporarily in Qatar for five hours or more can apply for a free 4-day transit visa, regardless of nationality. You must apply for it at least seven days in advance. 

Application Process
To obtain the 96-hour transit visa with Qatar Airways:

• Apply in-person through a Qatar Airways office or online here>>

• You must have a ticket showing your onward journey out of Qatar.

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months.

Conditions
Passengers originating their journey from the following countries (Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates) will be only eligible for one stopover on the outbound journey, not on the return. Stopovers on one-way journeys originating from these countries are not permitted.

If you are travelling with another airline and wish to leave the airport on your layover, you can apply for a transit visa valid for only 24 hours. 

Follow these steps to apply for a transit visa with other airlines:

• Visit the Ministry of Interior online portal here>>

• Select visa type (transit) and your nationality.

• Fill out all the required information, such as your name, date of birth and passport data.

• Press confirm to issue the visa.