General Information » Entering Qatar » Visas

Rules and regulations concerning the issuing of visas vary depending on nationality, and because details can change with little warning it is worth checking before travelling. However, in order to promote tourism and international business the government is determined to make things easier for visitors. Citizens of the 33 countries listed below can get a visit visa (or tourist visa) on arrival, valid for two weeks, for QR 55. Nationals of other GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) can also get a two-week visa on arrival, for QR 105. These visas may be extended for a further two weeks. Citizens of those countries not listed may be able to arrange a tourist visa prior to travel, sponsored by a Qatar-based hotel or tour company. Visitors on such a tourist visa must use Qatar Airways to enter the country.

Other visas include a businessman visit visa, an official visit visa and a work visa. The businessman visa can be applied for in advance by eligible Qatari companies, allowing businessmen to visit them from overseas. It is valid for two weeks and can be extended for a further two. An official visit visa allows ministries and government agencies to sponsor official visitors free of charge (valid for one month), and a sponsor will apply for a work visa for their potential employees.

Visitors may also obtain a joint visa valid for visiting Qatar and Oman. Costing QR 55, it is valid for 21 days and can be extended for a further seven, but the visa holder must visit Qatar first.

The e-government initiative means that these visas can be applied for online – visit www.e.gov.qa, but you will need to register through the site’s home page before you can access any application. Qatari residents will need their ID number while people outside Qatar will have to submit their passport number.

If you are a citizen of one of the following, you will automatically be granted a visa on arrival:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK (with the right of abode), USA, and the Vatican.