The countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2022 has begun. Tickets will go on sale sometime towards the end of 2021. All over the world football fans will be thinking ahead and planning their trip to Qatar. Flights, accommodation, travel insurance, travel money and passports will all be researched, checked and double-checked. One thing not to overlook in all the excitement is your Visa to enter Qatar. While many countries enjoy visa-free entry into Doha, nationals from some countries still require a tourist visa. So, get ahead of the game - make sure Visas are at the top of your list of ‘things to check’ before you set off for the adventure of a lifetime.
Travelling around the world has never been easier; transport is faster and more efficient, technology allows us to book and pay for nearly every aspect of our travels before we leave home, and international agreements make moving between countries much simpler. Even the process of applying for a visa, which traditionally has been overly complicated, has become much less demanding.
In recent years, Qatar has become one of the most open countries in the Middle East in terms of travel. This is due, in part, to the changes the Government has made to visa entry requirements and visa application processes. The introduction of visa-free entry, e-visas and online application processes, have made travel to Qatar easier and more enticing than ever.
If you are planning to visit Qatar for a holiday or maybe the World Cup in 2022, or even to live and work here, this segment provides an easy guide to accessing the right visa for you.
Which Visa?
Qatar offers a variety of visas, or visa-free entry, depending on which country you hail from, how long you are planning to stay, and what you plan to do whilst you are here. So, whether you are a tourist, a student, a business person, planning to live and work in Qatar, or a resident who plans to have your family to visit, the links provided here outline the types of visas available, visa requirements, application processes and a host of other useful information:
To visit Qatar, travellers from all over the world need first to see whether they are eligible for visa-free entry, or they need to apply for a Tourist Visa.
A business visa is required if you need to do a short-term business trip to Qatar. The length of your stay will determine what type of visa you need.
To live and work in Qatar, you must have a Work Residence Permit (RP). To be eligible for an RP, you must first have a sponsor.
If you are a resident in Qatar you may request a Family Visit Visa for your immediate family and for other relatives.
Discover the different types of visas Qatar has available for situations such as studying, investing in or returning to Qatar, and for newborns.
Medical Checks and Fingerprinting are required when applying for a Resident Permit (RP) in Qatar - read our 'how to' guide.
If you are planning to move to Qatar to live, work or study, you will need to provide legalised or attested documentation to support your application.
Whether you are an ex-pat in Qatar or just visiting and lose your passport, follow this detailed process to obtain new or renewal travel documents.
If you are having a baby or have just given birth in Qatar, there are several administrative procedures required to kick start your baby’s future.
Worth Noting
- Click here for a list of Ministry of Interior (MOI) Service Centres.
- For MOI guidelines on visa applications, visa requirements and downloadable visa application forms, search the Visa pages of the MOI website portal (located on the drop down menu - MOI Services - under Department Services and MOI Forms).
- All visitors (who are not eligible for visa-free entry), including infants and children, require a visa to enter Qatar.
- All visa fees and associated service fees (if charged) for all applications, whether they are successful or not, are non-refundable.
- If you are not eligible for an Entry-Free Visa and you need to acquire a visa(s) or authorisation to travel to Qatar prior to arrival, make sure you bring a copy of the visa(s) or the authorisation with you to present to immigration officials. No visa, no entry!
- If you would like to (and are eligible to) extend your visa during your stay, you can do so at the MOI office at Hamad International Airport or any one of the MOI Service Centres in Qatar. The MOI office at the Airport is located behind Check-In Desk 8.
Alternatively, you can apply for an extension via the MOI website, or residents or citizens of Qatar may apply on your behalf via the online application, Metrash.
- It is worth making sure that you do not overstay your visa or your visa extension. Overstays are charged a hefty 200 QAR per day!
- Cash is not accepted at MOI Service Centres or by Immigration offices, only debit and credit cards may be used (Mastercard and Visa are most widely accepted). So, make sure you keep your plastic handy.
- MOI Service Centres are open Sunday to Thursday only.
- Entry into Qatar is at the discretion of Immigration Officers.
Every effort has been made to ensure the correct details are provided on the Visa pages and that the information listed is updated regularly. However, visa and entry requirements for travelling to Qatar and residency requirements are subject to change. We recommend you check with the Qatar Embassy in your home country before you travel, and/or contact the Ministry of Immigration for the latest information on Residence Permits.