If you decide to come to the State of Qatar, you should know the type of Qatar visa that suits you in advance. In most cases, travelers who want to enter Qatar need a visa. Normally, applying for Qatar’s visa is easy, and you can do it online through the Ministry of Interior (MOI) website. Nationals of 33 countries can receive immediate visas on arrival, but nationals of countries that cannot obtain immediate visas must apply for visas before arrival. The best time to apply for your visa to Qatar is 1-2 months before your travel date. And here, you can find everything about Qatar’s visa.
Who Needs a Visa to Travel to Qatar?
Nationals of some countries are members of the visa-free regime. The citizens of countries who can gain a visa on arrival include the United States, France, Italy, Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Singapore, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Andorra, Spain, Switzerland, Monaco, the Vatican, Iceland, Finland, San Marino, Lichtenstein, Brunei, Denmark, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and South Korea. Citizens of countries eligible to enter Qatar visa-free can stay up to 90 days in 180 days.
Qatar Visa Types
Generally, Qatar’s visas include business visas, tourist visas, Gulf Cooperation Council resident visit visas, family visit visas, family residence visas, transit visas, and education visas. Single or multiple entry visas are adjusted in agreement with the existing visa regimes between countries.
Qatar Tourist Visa
Citizens of more than 80 countries can apply for tourist visas on arrival via an online application on websites. A tourist visa application can be made in 3 categories: an employer, Qatar Airways, and hotels, and a Qatar-Oman tourist visa, issued for citizens of eligible countries who can travel between two countries for stays up to one month. All types of visas mentioned before can be suitable for citizens of the 33 approved countries. It is valid for only one month, and the Qatar-Oman tourist visas allow tourists to travel freely between Qatar and Oman.
Qatar Business Visas
A business visa lets non-Qataris manage their business and work in Qatar temporarily, and it can be accessible in two categories and allows for managing a business temporarily in Qatar. One of them is a 72-hour business visa, which is exported for short-term travel with the possibility of extending it for another 72 hours. The other is a business visa, which gives entry permission to emigrant workers or individuals who tend to incorporate into contractual work for the short term. It can be valid for 3 months maximum and must be arranged by an approved company operating in advance. Applicants must carry specific documentation to prove the purpose of their trip.
Family Residence Visa
Emigrant workers who visit their families on a short-term basis for up to six months can apply for a Family Visit Qatar Visa. The visa is valid for only one month, but the immediate family, such as the wife, sons, or daughters, can be extended for up to six months, and other relatives can be extended for three months.
Family Residence Qatar’s Visa
Emigrant employees planning to bring their immediate family to live with them in Qatar can apply for a Family Residence Qatar Visa. However, it requires a specific situation. For instance, they should earn QR10,000 or more a month and have completed six months of employment in their company. The visa is granted under your employer’s supervision.
Education Residence Visa
International students who tend to spend academic years in Qatar for short-term education can also apply for a tourist visa, which the host institution supports. The Ministry of Interior controls all visa processes. However, if the visitor tends to stay longer, they should obtain an education visa.
If you have an approval letter from an educational institution and tend to stay in Qatar during your studies, you should apply for an Education Residence Qatar Visa. This type of visa is controlled by the University Committee Reviewing Recruitment Applications and is issued free of charge.
Qatar Transit Visa
If you want to temporarily stop in Qatar for a maximum of 24 hours on your way to a certain destination, you can apply for a transit visa before you start your travel. This visa is valid for 24 hours and allows you to stay in Qatar, but you cannot use it for business or tourist visits. The Transit Visa is useful for truck drivers passing through Qatar and needing a short stay. It can also be arranged through online websites or your local Qatari embassy.
General Requirements for Qatar’s Visa
The visa requirements for tourists in Qatar are explained below. Please remember that the documents required may differ according to your stay’s terms and purpose. Be aware that the Consulate always asks for additional documents and specific documents are required depending on your employment position. But in general, you should carry the below documents:
- Copy the first page of your passport, which must be valid for at least six months and a minimum of 90 days after the end of your travel.
- Signed visa application form plus two new photos (they shouldn’t be older than 6 months).
- A passport copy and personal photo should completely match the guidelines provided online.
- Documents of travel with both-way tickets, which are confirmed.
- Bank account details that prove that the passengers can fund their travel.
- The document shows that the applicant was not accused or convicted of a crime.
- An invitation letter or proof of your hotel reservation
- Your travel health insurance.
Reaching a Qatar Visa can be easy if people know the right steps. We provide complete information on Qatar visas; now you know how to get to Qatar. Moreover, be aware that Qatar does not accept dual nationality. This means travelers with Qatari citizenship shall enter and exit the country only with a Qatari passport.
Please be careful about the entry requirements because they may change according to the authority’s decisions. It is strongly recommended that you have valid information from the local diplomatic missions of your current country before you leave. The visa fees differ according to the required visa type and the price, which the authorized visa processing center determines. Many visas can be exported online, but you can leave your travel documents at the General Directorate of Border Passports and Expatriates Affairs at the MOI to process.
