Qatar Visa On Arrival Complete Guide ( 2023 )

Qatar made one of the milestone statements that Qatar is going to allow visa-free entry for nationals of more than 80 countries, with instantaneous effect in August 2017. In this article, we are going to discuss all the criteria, eligible nationalities, application process, renewal process, of the free visa on arrival in Qatar.

Current Status of the matter

After being briefly suspended in 2020 due to COVID-19, Qatar’s visa-on-arrival service has resumed with certain conditions. As of August 2022, nationals of more than 90 countries are eligible for a free visa on arrival in Qatar.

According to the current rule, only those individuals are qualified who have taken the Covid vaccines authorized by Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health will be expanded visa releases upon arrival.

Visitors should also satisfy the other eligibility requirements as well such as citizenship, 6 months valid passport, return air tickets, hotel booking, and credit/debit cards.

Visitors who are ineligible to fly straight to other GCC countries can also utilize this facility, subject to a minimum of 14 days’ stay in Qatar.

29 MARCH 2023 UPDATE–The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has declared that starting April 1, 2023, travelers arriving in Qatar from China, Hong Kong, and Macau will no longer need to present a negative pre-travel COVID-19 PCR test result.

29 JANUARY 2023 STATUS – Effective from 23 December 2022, eligible nationals can obtain a visa-on-arrival when entering Qatar. However, nationals of India, Pakistan, Iran, Thailand, and Ukraine are still required to book hotels through the Discover Qatar website for the entire duration of their stay. It is important to note that hotel reservations made through other websites will not be accepted.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) of Qatar announced updates to its travel policy in October 2022, which include the following:

Pre-travel and post-travel COVID testing are no longer required.
Ehteraz pre-travel registration is not required.
The Ehteraz mobile app is only required for entering public and private healthcare facilities.
Quarantine is no longer mandatory for all travellers arriving from abroad. However, if a passenger tests positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Qatar, quarantine measures must be followed as per the State’s guidelines.
The country classification system based on COVID-19 risk, which includes Red List and Standard Health List, is no longer applicable.

Don’t forget to have QAR 5000 in cash or an International Credit/ Debit card in your name with a minimum QAR 5000 balance. You have to submit a bank statement to confirm that the balance is equal to QAR 5000.

Requirements to Qatar Visa on Arrival

Eligible Citizenship Visitors must hold citizenship of one of the eligible countries listed below.
Passport Validity The visitor’s passport must remain valid for at least six months.
Confirmed Return/Onward Ticket The visitor must hold a confirmed return or onward ticket.
Hotel Reservation The visitor must have a hotel reservation for the duration of their stay. For most countries, a regular hotel booking is acceptable. For citizens of India, Pakistan, Iran, Thailand, and Ukraine, the hotel reservation for the entire duration of the stay must be made through the Discover Qatar website. TripAdvisor is recommended for hotel booking as it has the largest database of hotel reviews.
Please be advised that for nationals of India, Pakistan, Iran, Thailand, and Ukraine, the initial visa issued upon arrival will be for 14 or 30 days only, regardless of the duration of their hotel booking. They must extend their visa by visiting an MOI Service Center or the Airport Immigration office. Online visa extensions may not be available for these nationalities.
The requirement for a confirmed hotel reservation for the duration of stay is only mandatory for travelers coming on a visa on arrival and not for those with family visit visas.

Health Insurance :

Starting February 1st, 2023, all visitors to Qatar are required to have health insurance. Basic health insurance can be purchased from any of the registered insurance companies listed on the Ministry of Public Health’s website for QAR 50. This requirement applies to all visitors, regardless of the type of visa they have.

Proof of Fund

Starting from 10 March 2022, visitors from countries such as India and Pakistan, who are using a visa-on-arrival service, must possess a valid international credit or debit card, and cash of QR 5000 will no longer be accepted. If the visitor is a debit cardholder, a three-month bank statement is required, with a minimum balance equivalent to at least QR 5,000. The card must be in the name of the visitor or the family head’s name if travelling together as a family. It is important to note that this requirement only applies to nationalities that are required to provide proof of funds, such as India and Pakistan.

How to apply for a Visa on Arrival in Qatar

Accordant to the latest travel policy, all travelers should acquire pre-travel permission by registering on the Ehteraz website. Visitors who satisfy the above conditions should submit their documents 3 days before coming to Qatar.

Without pre-travel permission, travelers are not allowed in Qatar. Visitors have to submit the following documents

Passport
Return tickets
Vaccine certificate
Hotel reservation

As soon as your travel permit is approved, you will be notified. Keep your travel permit handy while traveling. Before arriving in Qatar, travelers must sign an ‘Undertaking and Acknowledgment Form.’

Which countries can benefit from Qatar Visa on Arrival?

This facility is available to the following countries:

Category 1: Visa waiver for 180 days

Visas are valid for 180 days after entry
Maximum stay of 90 days during single trip/ multiple trips
The stay cannot be extended
Multiple entries are permitted during this period

This category includes the following countries:

Antigua & Barbuda
Armenia
Austria
Bahamas
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Serbia
Seychelles
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine

Category 2: Visa for 30 days + 30 days expansion

From the date of entry, the initial visa is valid for 30 days
The stay can be expanded for the next 30 days without any charges
During this time, multiple entries can be made

This category includes the following countries:

Andorra
Argentina
Australia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Bolivia
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Brazil
Brunei
Canda
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Ecuador
Georgia
Guyana
Honk Kong, China
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Japan
Kazakhstan
Lebanon
Maldives
Mexico
Moldova
Monaco
New Zealand
North Macedonia
Pakistan
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Russia
Rwanda
San Marino
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Suriname
Thailand
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Vatican City
Venezuela

A visa is not required for entry into Qatar for countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates).

Vaccines Approved by Qatar MOPH

An adult visitor must be fully vaccinated with one of the following vaccines:

Pfizer BioN Tech (2 doses)
Moderna (2 doses)
AstraZeneca/ Covidshield (2 doses)
Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson (1 dose)
Sinopharm
Sinovac
Sputnik V
Covaxin

For travelers with two doses of an authorized vaccine and 14 days after the second dose, a positive serology antibody test is required before traveling to Qatar, in which case only the travelers will be regarded immune.

People who have obtained 2 doses of authorized vaccine heeded by 1 dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and after 14 days from the last dose will be regarded fully immune.

The vaccination program must have been completed 14 days ago. Unvaccinated individuals are not permitted to enter Qatar.

Travelers who have received one of the authorized vaccines outside Qatar must provide the authentic vaccination certificate, which must include the following details:

Traveler’s name must match the passport
Vaccination date
Name of the vaccine
Batch number, if applicable

Travel Policy for Children

There will be a similar quarantine policy for unvaccinated children traveling with vaccinated parents.

2nd Dec 2021 UPDATE- Children under the age of 11 years who are unvaccinated can also receive a visa on arrival if they are accompanied by one or both of their parents or family members. However, to receive a visa on arrival, children above 12 must be vaccinated.

Visitors must apply for an Ehteraz travel permit at least three days before their trip.

Quarantine Requirements for Visa on Arrival

Vaccinated Visitors from Green List Country	No Quarantine
Vaccinated Visitors from Red List Country	Hotel quarantine for 2 days or until the test result is available
Vaccinated Visitors from Exceptional Red List Country	Hotel quarantine for two days or until the test result is available

A negative result from the PCR test should be obtained 72 hours before arrival in Qatar for all categories.

Documents for Visa on Arrival

Passport
Return tickets
Vaccine certificate
Ehteraz approval
Negative RT-PCR report
Hotel reservation
Acknowledgment & Undertaking form
Ehteraz mobile app
Q5 5000 in cash or bank

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions ( Qatar Visa on Arrival )

What is a Visa on Arrival?

A Visa on Arrival is a type of visa that can be obtained at the airport or seaport of the destination country upon arrival.

Which countries can obtain a Visa on Arrival in Qatar?

Citizens of more than 80 countries can obtain a Visa on Arrival in Qatar. The list of eligible countries is available on the official website of the Ministry of Interior Qatar.

What is the validity of a Visa on Arrival?

The validity of a Visa on Arrival varies depending on the visitor’s nationality and the duration of their stay. Generally, it is valid for up to 30 days and can be extended.

What are the requirements for a Visa on Arrival in Qatar?

The requirements for a Visa on Arrival in Qatar include a valid passport, confirmed return tickets, hotel reservation, and proof of sufficient funds. In addition, visitors from certain countries may be required to have health insurance and a valid credit card.

Can I extend my Visa on Arrival?

Yes, you can extend your Visa on Arrival by visiting any MOI Service Center or the Airport Immigration office. However, online extensions may not be possible for certain nationalities.

Can I convert my Visa on Arrival to a work visa or a residency permit?

No, a Visa on Arrival cannot be converted to a work visa or a residency permit. Visitors who wish to work or reside in Qatar must apply for the relevant visa before entering the country.

Is it mandatory to have health insurance for a Visa on Arrival in Qatar?

From 1 February 2023, health insurance is mandatory for all visitors to Qatar, including those on a Visa on Arrival. Visitors can buy basic health insurance for QAR 50 from registered insurance companies listed on MOPH website.

Does the Qatar Visa on Arrival have a fee?

No, there is no fee.

Can I only travel with Qatar Airways?

You can fly to Doha with any airline.

Do I need to show proof of funds/credit cards?

Yes, it may be required for some countries’ residents. Don’t forget to carry QAR 5000 in cash or in your bank account.

Do I need to show my host’s salary certificate or tenancy contract?

There is no requirement for such a certificate.

Are there special counters at the airport?

Visitors with travel permits would have a special line. Details will be indicated on your travel permit or you will be directed by airport staff.

Procedure at the immigration counter

Show your Ehteraz travel permit to the airline check-in agent at the departure airport. The airline will deny boarding without a valid permit.
Before you leave, download the Ehteraz app and activate it when you arrive at the airport. Qatari or international SIM cards can be used to activate the app.
Show your travel permit at the immigration counter in Doha and mention that you are approved for a visa on arrival.
Please provide the Vaccination Certificate, RT-PCR, Hotel Booking, and Flight Ticket.
Give the hotel/ host contact details, if asked.
Show credit/debit card if required
Look at the camera for an iris scan when requested.
A fingerprint scan may be required for some travelers.
A small sticker would be placed on your passport. Congratulations!

What are the steps for extending Qatar Visa on Arrival?

You can renew your 30-day visa online if you are a citizen of an eligible country. Follow the following steps-

Visit the Visa Extension Service page on the MOI website
Enter your visa/ passport number
Select nationality
Enter the verification code
Then click on extend

How many days after arrival can I renew the visa?

After arrival, you can renew any day. Do it before the expiration date to avoid complications.

After renewing, I did not receive any message or email. Can I check the validity of the renewal?

Go to the Visa Inquiry & Printing page on the Ministry of Interior website to check the validity.

Enter your visa/ passport number
Select nationality
Enter the verification code
Click on the Submit
The details including visa validity will be shown
Click on the print icon to save or print a copy.

Is the renewal receipt necessary when I return?

The renewal date will be updated in the immigration system, so a receipt is not required. However, you may keep a copy for your records.

Do other GCC residents qualify for a Qatar visa on arrival?

If you are from a GCC country, then you are eligible for a single entry visa on arrival. Your visa will only be issued if your residence permit is valid for at least 6 months and your profession appears on the list of eligible professions.