How to get a transit visa to visit Qatar for Free (2023)

There are free transit visa options available in Qatar, which have been in effect since November 2016. These visas are complimentary and available to travelers who have layovers of at least five hours at Hamad International Airport.

This scheme lets transit passengers stay up to 96 hours in Qatar between flights, regardless of their nationality. The article covers eligibility, application, validity, and other important details about the Qatar Transit Visa.

Qatar Transit Visa: Brief Overview of Updates

Transit passengers who don’t plan to leave the transit area at Doha Airport do not require a transit visa.

Two situations require a visa:

(1) Visiting Doha for tourism purposes.

(2) Having to claim and recheck baggage when changing airlines.

Several months have passed since Qatar Airways suspended its Online Transit Visa Service.

If you need a visa, over 90 countries’ citizens can utilize the free Visa On Arrival (VOA) service. In case your nationality is not eligible for VOA, you can get in touch with the nearest Qatar Airways office.

What is Transit Visa?

A transit visa is a short-term travel permit that allows travelers to pass through a foreign country to reach their destination. It is required if you are traveling from one country to another through a third country where you are not a citizen.

Most transit passengers travelling through Qatar do not require a Transit Visa, unless they plan to leave Doha Airport.

A visa may be required in certain situations, such as when you have separate tickets with two different airlines and need to collect your baggage to check-in for the connecting flight.

What is Qatar Transit Visa ?

A Qatar Transit Visa is needed only if you plan to leave the airport transit area to collect your baggage or explore Doha city as a tourist.

Passengers of all nationalities who transit in Qatar for at least 5 hours with Qatar Airways are entitled to the Qatar Transit Visa. The visa is free, valid for up to four days (96 hours), and applicable to all passengers.

How to Obtain a Qatar Airways Transit Visa?

Qatar Airways previously offered an online service for transit passengers to apply for the Transit Visa. However, the service is currently unavailable.

If you are not eligible for visa on arrival and require a visa, you can get in touch with your nearest Qatar Airways ticketing office for assistance with obtaining a transit visa, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.

Please note that Qatar Airways offers stopover packages that include hotel accommodation and city tours.

What documents should have?

Before you apply, it would be ideal if you make sure that you have these documents.

A reasonable passport copy for every traveler (including new children). The visa should be substantial for at least six months at the time of passage into Qatar.
Confirmed the tickets into Qatar and you should be on Qatar Airways worked flights as it were. (Travelers going on code-share flights won’t be qualified

Here are the Qatar Airways Transit Visa ticket requirements:

You must have confirmed tickets for your journey into Qatar and the onward journey out of Qatar on the Qatar Airways ticket.
The layover time in Qatar should be at least 5 hours.
Both flights must be operated by Qatar Airways.
The transit visa facility is not applicable if Doha is the point of turnaround, for example, BOM-DOH-BOM.

Make sure that you print a copy of the approved visa and carry it with you when you travel, as it would be introduced before registration and upon arrival in Qatar.

How can I check the status?

After applying for the visa, you can check the status of your application using your visa number or by sending on email at qatartransitvisa@qatarairways.com.qa

The preparing time for the visa application is at least seven days barring Public holidays. Then make sure the data remembered for your visa approval notification matches the details expressed on your passport. If there is any difference, then contact us or visit the Qatar Airways office.

What is the visa charge?

There is no charge for the Qatar travel visa. But, just a single visit is allowed for the whole journey.

How long is the travel visa valid?

The travel visa is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.

I have a one-way ticket; can I apply for the travel visa?

Yes, but if you don’t mind, note that this office isn’t available on one-way schedules if you are starting your journey from Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, South Sudan, and Sudan. However, note that the confirmed tickets for a journey into Qatar and starts the journey from Qatar must be on Qatar Airways ticket record. Both the flights must be worked by Qatar Airways.

I am traveling with another airline, can I also apply for a travel visa?

Yes, you can also apply for a travel visa. Look at the steps below:

Visit the Ministry of Interior site.
Select visa type (travel) and your nationality.
Fill all the necessary data, for example your name, date of birth and passport information.
Press confirm to give the visa.

Can I request my luggage at Doha during my visit?

If your visit doesn’t exceed 24 hours, at that time you have the alternative to request for the luggage at Doha or at your final goal. You need to inform the air terminal registration staff of your preference. If your visit is over 24 hours the luggage should be gathered upon arrival in Doha.