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Visa policy of Qatar

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File:QatarStamp1.jpg
Qatar entry stamp and visa on arrival sticker
File:QatarStamp2.jpg
Qatar exit stamp

Travellers to Qatar require a visa unless:

  • they are citizens of one of the GCC countries.
  • they are citizens of one of the eligible countries for visa waiver.

Qatari visas can be obtained online for visitors requiring a visa, either from its official site, or Qatar Airways' website when travelling with the airline.[1]

All visitors, except GCC citizens, must hold passports valid for at least three months from the date of arrival. GCC citizens are permitted use National ID Cards to enter Qatar, however permission to do so has been temporarily revoked for nationals of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Visa policy map

Visa policy of Qatar

Visa exemption

Citizens of the following countries do not require a visa to enter Qatar under any circumstances:[2]

Visa waiver

On 9 August 2017, the Qatari Government announced it would grant a visa waiver (visa-free entry) to citizens of 80 countries, with immediate effect. Citizens of these countries no longer need to apply or pay for a visa; instead, a multi-entry visa waiver will be issued free-of-charge at the port of entry, upon presentation of a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months and a confirmed onward or return ticket. Visa waiver is only available at Hamad International Airport.[3][2]

Nationals of the 33 countries listed can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival 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.[2]

Nationals of the 47 countries listed below can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival valid for 30 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 30 days in Qatar, during either a single trip or on multiple trips. This waiver may be extended for a further 30 days.[2]

Visa on arrival

Nationals of  Iran travelling on business can obtain a visa on arrival at a cost of QAR100 for a maximum stay of 6 days, provided holding QAR 5000 or a major credit card, return ticket, upper class hotel reservation and an invitation by a company that is certified by the Government.[4]

According to the government of Macau, holders of Macau Special Administrative Region passports can obtain a visa on arrival.[5]

Online visa

Qatar introduced an e-Visa system on 23 June 2017. Foreign citizens of any countries who plan to arrive to Qatar by Qatar Airways may apply for tourism type of visa online through the eVisa system.[6]

Transit

Regardless of nationality, travelers who are in transit through Hamad International Airport do not require a visa if they depart within 24 hours.[4]

On 26 September 2016, the Ministry of the Interior announced the issuance of free transit visas for passengers of any nationality transiting through Hamad International Airport. Only travellers travelling on Qatar Airways, with layovers between 5 and 96 hours are eligible.[7]

Diplomatic, service or official passports

Holders of diplomatic or service, official passports of the following countries do not require a visa:[4]

Holders of diplomatic passports of the following countries do not require a visa:[4]

Visitor statistics

Most visitors arriving to Qatar were from the following countries of nationality:[8][9]

See also

References

  1. ^ Qatar Visa Online
  2. ^ a b c d Visas for Visitors
  3. ^ Qatar offers visa-free entry to citizens of 80 countries
  4. ^ a b c d "Visa and passport". Timatic. International Air Transport Association through Emirates. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  5. ^ New travel facilitation to Macao SAR Passport holders
  6. ^ Qatar visas
  7. ^ New Transit Rules Make Visiting Qatar Easier
  8. ^ Annual Tourism Performance Report 2015
  9. ^ 2016 Annual Tourism Performance Report
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