A year after imposing strict restrictions on foreign visitors, Qatar has started to ease its Covid-19 restrictions. The latest Qatar visa regulations should be familiar by anyone interested in once again crossing paths with the Middle Eastern country.
Those planning a trip to Qatar should know all about the available Qatar visas, their requirements, and their validity.
Qatar Visa-free Countries
The Middle East’s “most open country” is offering visa-free entry for citizens of 95 nations or visa-waiver upon arrival for citizens of around 35 countries.
The passport of a visitor from a visa-exempt country must have at least six months of validity, as well as a confirmed return ticket. Moreover, to enter Qatar, they must have health insurance from one of the listed companies with the Ministry of Public Health.
90-Day Stay Period
The waiver will be valid for 180 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to stay up to 90 days in Qatar, either during a single trip or on multiple trips:
Anguia and Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine
30-Day Stay Period
A visa-free stay of 30 days is allowed for citizens of the following countries from the date of issuance and may be extended for a further 30 days.
Andorra, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Georgia, Guyana, Hong Kong, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Macau, Macedonia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Suriname, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela
India
Travel requirements for Indians include:
- Passports must be valid for at least six months
- The return ticket must be confirmed
- There is a minimum cash requirement of USD 1400 or a valid credit card requirement of USD 1400 for each arriving passenger; this applies to the entire family
- The latest travel advisory recommends booking a hotel quarantine for the number of days needed
- The vaccines must be approved by the Ministry of Public Health and the last dose must have been given 14 days ago.
- The patient must present a certificate confirming the outcome of the PCR test within 72 hours of arrival
- A completed electronic registration on the Ehteraz platform (www.ehteraz.gov.qa) must be submitted to the Ministry of Public Health before they can travel.
- The Qatar Ministry of Public Health requires that they have health insurance from one of the registered companies
Please note, Passengers from India who have not received both doses of the vaccine 14 days prior to arrival will be denied entry.
Pakistan
The following additional requirements apply to Pakistani travelers:
- Passports must be valid for at least six months
- The return ticket must be confirmed
- The latest travel advisory recommends booking a hotel quarantine for the number of days needed
- Passengers must have a valid credit card
- After 72 hours of arrival, they must have a certificate confirming a negative PCR test
- The certificate of vaccination against polio should be presented by people coming directly from Pakistan
- An extension of the visa can only be granted once a return ticket has been confirmed
- Health insurance from a company registered with the Qatar Ministry of Public Health is required
Visa Exemptions
The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries do not require visas for entry into Qatar.
Qatar Visa on Arrival
(Visa on Arrival) Qatar-Oman joint tourist visa
A Qatar-Oman joint Tourist Visa is issued upon arrival and allows multiple entries into both countries. There is a 30-day validity period on the visa, which can be extended for another 30 days. The joint visa is valid for citizens of the following countries:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City.
https://qatar-visa-status.com/qatar-visa-on-arrival/
Electronic Travel Authorization
Non-visa-exempt nationals with valid residence permits or visit visas to Schengen countries, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States or New Zealand may apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
The following information will be requested from travelers:
- Proof of accommodation in Qatar (hotel booking or address of host)
- Return (or onward) travel details
- Please bring a copy of your passport (valid for a minimum of six months)
- If you have a valid residence permit or visa for any of the countries listed above (with a minimum validity of 30 days), please attach it to your application.
Qatar Tourist Visa
A Tourist Visa may be applied for online by foreign nationals who are not eligible for both visa-free entry and ETA. For a fee of QAR 100, travelers heading to Qatar onboard any airline can obtain a Tourist Visa from the Qatar Visa Service. Tourist Visa holders are allowed to stay for a maximum of 30 days per trip.
The following requirements apply to Qatar Tourist Visas:
- complete an online form
- Please upload the required documents (including passport scans and personal photographs).
- An airline booking reservation can be provided
- Use a valid Visa or Mastercard to make an online payment
https://qatar-visa-status.com/qatar-tourist-visa/
Qatar Transit Visa
Passengers transiting in Qatar for more than 5 hours are eligible to apply for a Qatar Transit Visa. There is no charge for the pre-approved transit visa and it is valid for a period of 5 to 96 hours (four days). Passengers from all countries can apply for a visa.
https://qatar-visa-status.com/qatar-transit-visa/
GCC Resident Visit Visa
A single-entry visa can be obtained by residents of GCC countries for QAR 100 using Visa or Mastercard. The visa is valid for 30 days and can be renewed for an additional three months. If you wish to acquire an entry visa to Qatar, you will have to present official documentation stating your profession.
https://qatar-visa-status.com/qatar-visa-for-gcc-residents/