Qatar has swiftly become a highly-visited destination in the past couple of years and even more so since the monumental FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. The State of Qatar welcomes people of different nationalities under different visa categories. Here is a breakdown of how you can apply for a visit visa to Qatar in 2023.

Visa on arrival

Qatar permits citizens of over 95 countries to enter Qatar with a visa on arrival that has differences in visa waiver period and permitted duration of stay. Some nationalities are also eligible for a Qatar-Oman Joint Tourist Visa that is issued on arrival and grants entry to the State of Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman for a 30-day period, extendable up to an additional 30 days for a fee.

Check your eligibility for a visa on arrival here.

Here are the conditions for visitors to be eligible for a visa on arrival:

• Their passport must have a valid for not less than six months
• They must have a confirmed return ticket.
• Hotel accommodation must be booked for the period of stay. Nationalities of Pakistan, India, Iran, Thailand, and Ukraine must have a mandatory Discover Qatar booking. Regular hotel bookings will suffice for other nationalities.
• Proof of sufficient funds (QAR 5,000) with an international debit/credit card may be asked at the immigration counter for some nationalities (India, Pakistan, etc.)
• Visitors must have mandatory health insurance (local or international) for a period of stay by insurance companies approved by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).

Visa for other categories under Hayya platform 

The Hayya portal has been relaunched since Qatar World Cup and is now a unified go-to platform for visitors looking to apply for a visa. Visitors of the different categories including tourists (A1), GCC Residents of all professions (A2), companions of GCC residents (A4), and international visitors with UK, Canada, USA, Schengen, and New Zealand visas/residency  (A3) can now apply for a visa to Qatar.

Applying for all these visas is as easy as logging onto the Hayya portal and selecting the requisite visa category. Fill in the required details, scan the requested documents for your visa type, and submit proof of accommodation. The accommodation can be either a hotel or with a host (friends or family residing in Qatar) In this case, the host has to apply for this visa on your behalf.

Pay a visa fee of QAR 100 (if applicable) per applicant and proceed to submit the application.

Once the application is processed and approved, the Hayya Entry Permit will be sent to your registered email address.

Conditions for all visa categories are the same with a few exceptions. All categories must show proof of accommodation and pay an applicable visa fee before submission of the application.

Minimum requirements to enter the state of Qatar with Hayya

• Minimum 3 months of passport validity from the time of arrival to the State of Qatar
• Accommodation (Address in Qatar of host family or friend or Discover Qatar hotel booking)
• Return flight ticket
• Hayya Entry Visa

Tourist visa (A1)

All nationalities can apply for a tourist visa (A1) category even if they are not eligible for a visa on arrival. This visa is for general visits and tourism purposes and will be valid for 30 days from the date of issue. Proof of accommodation needs to be provided (i.e. either accommodation provided by family and friends (host family in Qatar) or booking from Discover Qatar). A visa charge of QAR 100 applies and tourists can stay up to 30 days from the date of issue.

Eligibility: All nationalities can apply

Requirements: Proof of accommodation (host family in Qatar or booking from Discover Qatar)

Visa fee: QAR 100

Permit validity: 30 days from issue

Duration of stay: 30 days from arrival

Find out more on how to apply for tourist visa through Hayya platform here. 

GCC Residents (A2) Visa 

GCC residents can apply for A2 category and apart from the necessary conditions for eligibility (proof of accommodation) they must also submit residency ID copy which has at least three months validity from date of arrival in Qatar.

Eligibility: For all GCC Residents

Requirements: Proof of Residency Permit (should be valid for a minimum of 3 months from arrival) and proof of accommodation (host family in Qatar or booking from Discover Qatar)

Visa fee: QAR 100

Duration of stay: 30 days from arrival

Find out more about how to apply for GCC Residents Visa through Hayya platform here. 

Companions of GCC Residents (A4)

Companions of GCC residents should be travelling with their sponsors and are charged QAR 100 as visa fee. Additionally, they also have to present a valid return flight ticket.

Requirements: Companions must travel with their sponsors, booking accommodation is not required.

Visa fee: QAR 100

Find out more about how to apply for Companions of GCC Residents Visa through Hayya platform here. 

Visa with ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) (A3)

The residents or visa holders of the USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, or Schengen fall under this category. They must have a valid visa or residency in these places. Additionally, they are required to show a return flight ticket and have mandatory health insurance for a period of stay.

Eligibility: residents or visa holders of the USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, or Schengen

Requirements: Copy of visa valid for 3 months or residency document, proof of accommodation (host family in Qatar or booking from Discover Qatar), return flight ticket and health insurance for the duration of stay.

Visa fee: QAR 100

Duration of stay: 30 days from arrival

Find out more about how to apply for Visa with ETA through Hayya platform here. 

Hayya with Me (1+3) visa feature

The ‘Hayya with Me’ feature is valid for only international Hayya card holders who can invite up to three other family members or friends to visit Qatar. Each international fan can log into the Hayya portal and access the three Voucher Codes provided under the ‘Hayya with Me’ feature on their profile. The Voucher Codes can be shared with friends and family who wish to visit and may be used even if the person inviting is not present or visiting Qatar. The (1+3) Hayya with Me is a multiple-entry visa and the visitors have to meet the same above-mentioned conditions as specified for Hayya cardholders.

Once the application has been submitted, it can be tracked and approval is sent to the applicant’s email ID with the Hayya Entry Permit. This permit will serve as your visa for entering the State of Qatar.

Eligibility: Friends and family of international Hayya holders 2022

Requirements: Proof of accommodation (host family in Qatar or booking from Discover Qatar)

Visa fee: No payment required.

Visa validity: Multiple entries allowed until January 10, 2023

Duration of stay: Until January 23, 2024

Find out more about how to apply for Hayya with me through Hayya platform here.

Extended visa for Hayya Card holders

International Hayya Card holders who visited Qatar during the World Cup are now welcome to visit Qatar until January 24, 2024. The Hayya card, which served as a visa for international fans and organizers to enter Qatar, has an extended validity until the above-mentioned date.

Abu-Samra border pre-registration

Tourists who wish to arrive in Qatar by road will enter through the Abu Samra border checkpoint and will have to do a pre-registration for a hassle-free trip through the border. Log onto the Hayya Portal and select Abu Samra border pre-registration. Fill in the details of the registered vehicle, trip details (one-way or roundabout) and traveller(s) details.

Once submitted, the application will undergo approval and the Hayya Entry Permit will be emailed to you or be available on the Hayya app on your mobile phone.

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