Qatar Visa Application & Requirements

Qatar is an ideal country for traveling and exploring. Besides tourist attractions, Qatar has very open visa policies for tourists from abroad. Qatar is now the most open country in the Middle East. Visitors from all around the world can now enter Qatar either visa free, or by filling out simple online applications, depending on the passport they carry. Most travellers to Qatar need a visa if they are not citizens of one of the GCC countries or they are not citizens of one of the eligible countries for visa waiver.

Qatari visas can be obtained online for visitors requiring a visa,
you can apply e-visa at Qatar Airways' website when travelling with the airline. Read more about How to apply Qatar visa online?

Citizens of the following Gulf Cooperation Council countries enjoy freedom of movement in Qatar and a visa is not required to enter Qatar under any circumstances:

• Bahrain
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates

Citizens of more than 80 countries are eligible for visa-free entry into the State of Qatar, with varying allowable lengths of stay. Nationals of the eligible countries do not require any prior visa arrangements and can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival to Qatar, with two requirements documents of a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months and a confirmed onward or return ticket.

For citizens of the countries listed below, the waiver will be valid for 180 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 90 days in Qatar, during either a single trip or on multiple trips.

Nationals of Pakistan can enter Qatar visa-free and spend up to 30 days in Qatar, during a single or multiple trips, with an option to extend for another 30 days with some additional requirements.

There are many different types of Qatar visa, the most common visa types are listed below:

Every passenger requiring a visa will need to submit scan coloured copies of their:

• A passport-size photo
• Passport information (bio page) /picture page(s)
• Airline reservation (Qatar Airways passengers are not required to submit their reservation information)
• If staying with Qatari resident (friend or relative), an invitation letter from this resident along with his / her Qatar resident visa copy, Qatar ID, Passport first / bio page OR
• If you are staying in a hotel, you are required to submit a copy of your hotel reservation/confirmation OR
• If this friend / relative is a Qatari national then his / her Qatari national ID and invitation letter is required.

The main applicant (from each family travelling together) will also need to submit:

• Proof of Residency, e.g. Resident card, Resident visa, Utility bill, Tenancy contract, Phone bill, Credit / Debit card bill, Official printed address page on passport.

In some cases, other supporting documents, such as marriage certificates, etc., may also be required.

Business Visas for Qatar

• 72-hour Business Visa – traveller will need to provide a letter of invitation.
• Business Visa – The visa is valid for a maximum of three months, and must be arranged in advance by an approved company or institution operating in Qatar.
• Investor Visa – Applicants must have property ownership documents, a certificate of good behaviour and have a medical check-up to qualify.

Family Visa

 In order to receive this visa, you will need to submit application forms to the Ministry of Labour in Qatar for each family member, a letter from your employer, copies of your passport, proof of residence and if applicable, birth and marriage certificates.

Transit Visa

Before you apply, please make sure you have the following mandatory documents.

• A clear passport copy for each passenger (including infants). The passport should be valid for a minimum of six months at the time of entry into Qatar.
• The confirmed tickets into Qatar and onwards must be on Qatar Airways operated flights only

Visas for Family Visits:

Requirements for applying visa for wife:

– Copy of personal ID or passport of the resident husband

– Letter from husband's employer citing profession and salary

– Copy of attested marriage contract

– Copy of wife's valid passport

Requirements for applying visa for other relatives (Father, mother, sister, children and in-laws):

– Copy of personal ID or passport of the sponsor.

– Copy of sponsor's wife's passport with valid residence permit or residential tenancy contract.

– Letter from employer of the sponsor citing profession and salary.

– Valid passport copy of the visitor.

– Document to prove relationship.

– Undergo medial test within 72 hours entering the country in case you're willing to extend for more than a month.

Companions of GCC National Visa

 The expatriate should have valid resident in any GCC country. Duration of the visa is one month extended to one month and the fees are collected as per similar treatment principle of each State .

GCC Resident Visit Visa

 Applicants must provide passport and documents proving your profession. Applicants must be currently employed in one of the 201 authorized professions, and hold valid permit and passport for at least six months.

Work Visa requirements

Valid passport (your passport must have a minimum of 8 months remaining)

• Copies of certified educational documents (documents evidencing he highest level of education obtained by the applicant)
• Up to 20 passport sized photos may be required.

Visa on arrival for GCC Residents

Require passport has at least six-month validity and a return ticket.

The cost of Qatar visa depends on the type of visa. It can be about QR100-QR500. Each accompanying person also must pay a different fees. The Newborn visa is a free type of visa. A penelty of larger mount of fees have to be paid if you overstay when your visa is expired.

Nowadays, most of citizens of countries around the world can apply for a Qatar visa online. You will fill in the online form and submit online too. For the citizens of the countries can not apply for an e-visa, the applicants should download and prepare a completed application form (should be clearly printed) before send it to embassy or consulate. The visa application form to Qatar can be download here.

Family visit visa: the visa is initially valid only for one month but can be extended for QR200 per month

Business Visa: This type of visas’ validity is 2 week extendable to 2 other weeks

Tourist visa: valid for 14 days, could be extended by another 14 days.

Companions of GCC National Visa: valid for a period of one month and renewable for five months

GCC Residents Visit Visa: valid for 14 days, could be extended by another 14 days.

Multiple Entry Visa: validity of more than a year

Joint Tourist Visa : validity of 21 days , could be extended

Official Visa:  valid for one month, extended for 5 months

Work Visa : more than a year

Return Permit : validity period of 14 days

Visa-on-arrival for GCC Residents: one month

If you plant a visit to Doha, you should begin the visa application process at least a month in advance to your trip.

Get an invitation letter from the person inviting you to Doha. The letter should show the reason for your visit, along with a copy of author’s resident permit. If you are visiting Doha without an invite from anybody in the country, write a letter yourself explaining the reason for your visit.

Download Visa Application Form to Qatar, and fill out the application by typing or printing neatly in black ink.

Make two photocopies of your passport. Make the fee payment in the form of cheque or money order, payable to “Embassy of the State of Qatar.”

Send by post your application, passport, supporting materials such as three months bank statement of the applicant, the person’s residence permit copy, authentic proof of relation between applicant and the person, etc., and a prepaid envelope to the Embassy of Qatar at the address provided on the form. Else, you may wait until your arrival in the country and submit your documents at the airport, but it is better not to do this, as the country might deny your visa request.

On approval of the visa, a Qatar visa will be affixed to a visa page in your passport. Your passport will be returned by mail using prepaid envelope you provided.