Visa Requirements
Visit Visa – VISITING QATAR MADE EASY
Thanks to a host of visa facilitation measures, Qatar is now the most open country in the Middle East. Visitors from all around the world can now enter Qatar either visa free, or by filling out simple online applications, depending on the passport they carry.
This webpage is designed to keep you up-to-date on the visa policies that are relevant to you, and the process you need to follow to apply for a visa, if necessary.
Visa-Free Entry
Nationals of more than 80 countries are eligible for visa-free entry into the State of Qatar, with varying allowable lengths of stay. Nationals of the eligible countries do not require any prior visa arrangements and can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival to Qatar, upon presentation of a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months and a confirmed onward or return ticket.
For nationals of the countries listed below, the waiver will be valid for 180 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 90 days in Qatar, during either a single trip or on multiple trips.
- 1. Antigua and Barbuda
- 2. Austria
- 3. Bahamas
- 4. Belgium
- 5. Bulgaria
- 6. Croatia
- 7. Cyprus
- 8. Czech Republic
- 9. Denmark
- 10. Dominican Republic
- 11. Estonia
- 12. Finland
- 13. France
- 14. Germany
- 15. Greece
- 16. Hungary
- 17. Iceland
- 18. Italy
- 19. Latvia
- 20. Liechtenstein
- 21. Lithuania
- 22. Luxembourg
- 23. Malaysia
- 24. Malta
- 25. Netherlands
- 26. Norway
- 27. Poland
- 28. Portugal
- 29. Romania
- 30. Serbia
- 31. Seychelles
- 32. Slovakia
- 33. Slovenia
- 34. Spain
- 35. Sweden
- 36. Switzerland
- 37. Turkey
For nationals of the countries listed below, the waiver will be valid for 30 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 30 days in Qatar, during either a single trip or on multiple trips. This waiver may be extended for a further 30 days.
- 1. Andorra
- 2. Argentina
- 3. Australia
- 4. Azerbaijan
- 5. Belarus
- 6. Bolivia
- 7. Brazil
- 8. Brunei
- 9. Canada
- 10. Chile
- 11. China
- 12. Colombia
- 13. Costa Rica
- 14. Cuba
- 15. Ecuador
- 16. Georgia
- 17. Guyana
- 18. Hong Kong
- 19. India
- 20. Indonesia
- 21. Ireland
- 22. Japan
- 23. Kazakhstan
- 24. Lebanon
- 25. Macedonia
- 26. Maldives
- 27. Mexico
- 28. Moldova
- 29. Monaco
- 30. New Zealand
- 31. Panama
- 32. Paraguay
- 33. Peru
- 34. Russia
- 35. San Marino
- 36. Singapore
- 37. South Africa
- 38. South Korea
- 39. Suriname
- 40. Thailand
- 41. Ukraine
- 42. United Kingdom
- 43. United States
- 44. Uruguay
- 45. Vatican City
- 46. Venezuela
Similar to the 46 countries listed above, nationals of Pakistan can enter Qatar visa-free and spend up to 30 days in Qatar, during a single or multiple trips, with an option to extend for another 30 days, if the following terms and conditions are met.
Terms and conditions for Pakistani nationals
• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months
• Return ticket must be confirmed
• Hotel booking confirmation for duration of the stay must be presented
• The passenger must have a valid credit card
• Those coming directly from Pakistan should present a certificate of vaccination against polio
• The duration of the visa can be extended only after confirming the return ticket
If you have any questions regarding the visa waiver programme, please check our FAQs.
Qatar-Oman Joint Tourist Visa (Visa on Arrival)
This visa is issued upon arrival and is valid for 30 days for the State of Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman. It allows for multiple entry to both countries and is extendable for an additional 30 days for a fee. Citizens of the following countries are eligible for the joint visa:
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Canada
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Vatican City
Electronic Travel Authorisation
Individuals who are not eligible for visa-free entry, but who hold a valid residence permit or visit visa to either Schengen countries, Australia, Canada, UK, USA or New Zealand, can obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) free of charge* by completing an online application prior to travelling.
The form is easy to fill in. You will be asked to provide:
• proof of accommodation in Qatar (e.g. hotel booking, or your host’s address)
• details of your return (or onward) travel
• a copy of your passport (with a minimum validity of six months)
• a copy of your residence permit or visa to any one of the eligible countries stated above (with a minimum validity of 30 days).
Once your request has been approved** you will receive an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) allowing you to obtain a visa-on-arrival to Qatar, which in turn allows you to stay in the country for up to 30 days during a single visit. The visa may be extended for an additional 30 days, to be used during the same visit. If you leave the country and wish to return, you will need to apply for the new ETA before travelling back to Qatar.
Apply for an ETA here: www.qatarvisaservice.com.
Online Tourist Visa
Individuals not eligible for visa-free entry or ETA can apply for a Tourist Visa online. Visitors to Qatar travelling on board any airline may apply for a Tourist Visa through the Qatar Visa Service. The cost of the Qatar Tourist Visa is QAR 100. Tourist Visa holders are allowed to stay in Qatar for up to 30 days on a single trip.
To submit a request for a Qatar Tourist Visa, visitors are required to:
• complete an online form
• upload required documents (including passport scans & personal photographs)
• provide an airline booking reservation
• make an online payment using a valid Visa or Mastercard
Once the application is complete, visitors will be contacted via e-mail with a response to their visa application**.
Click here to be redirected to the Qatar Visa Service website.
Note: visitors travelling to Qatar with Qatar Airways, may select ‘Apply for a visa’ after logging in to ‘My Trips’ on the airline’s website. This automatically directs them to the Qatar Visa Service website, where they can start the Qatar Tourist Visa application process for themselves and any accompanying travellers under the same booking.
Qatar Transit Visa
Qatar Airways passengers transiting in Qatar for a minimum of 5 hours are eligible to apply for the Qatar Transit Visa. It is free of charge, valid for up to 96 hours (four days) and open to passengers of all nationalities**.
For more information about the Qatar Transit Visa, please click here.
GCC Resident Visit Visa
Residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries who hold positions in approved professions and those accompanying them may obtain a GCC Resident Visit Visa on arrival in Qatar.
This single-entry visa, which can be obtained for a fee of QAR 100, payable by Visa or Mastercard, is valid for 30 days and may be renewed for an additional three months. Visitors wishing to avail of this visa scheme may be asked to present official documentation stating their profession upon entry to Qatar.
Visa Exemptions
Nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates) do not require a visa to enter Qatar.
Information for People coming to Doha in employment visa
- Visa Information
The expat should possess a printed copy of employment visa issued by the sponsored employer along with a valid passport.
- Medical Information
The medical examination will include a medical history, physical examination, chest X-ray and blood tests for syphilis. The physical examination will include at a minimum: examination of the eyes, ears, nose and throat, extremities, heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes, skin and external genitalia (Full Body check-up, Chest X-ray [For T.B.],
Blood Test, HIV Test, Syphilis Test, Eye Check-up).
- Finger print requirement for visa stamping
It is mandatory that all RP Applicants should give all of their finger prints to the Criminal Evidence and Investigation Department (CEID) for the Residence Permit.
- Identity Card
All permanent residents in Qatar should carry an Identity Card with them according to Qatari law. The ID card is required for all dealings with Government ministries on daily basis. An ID card is often required for registration at clubs, bank accounts, schools, nurseries and so on. The ID card is not required for children below 18 years of age.
- Health Insurance in Qatar
According to the Law, the government shall be responsible for the payment of the health insurance premiums of all citizens. Employers will pay the premiums of their non-Qatari employees and their family members.
For the purpose of issue or renewal of residence visas, the employers and sponsors should include all their employees/workers in the health insurance system and submit evidence for the same.
Every healthcare provider in accordance with the SCH (Supreme Council of Health in Qatar) approval is included in the health insurance system to provide all or some of the basic health services to the beneficiaries.
- Sponsoring Family
The new rule mandates that a minimum salary of QR10, 000 is a must to bring in their families to Qatar. The applicant should have a Qatari ID first before seeking a Family Visa.
- Money Transfer limit
Maximum transaction limit per day is QAR. 50,000/-. There is a maximum limit of QR100, 000 per transaction or per month that can be transferred. Customers can conveniently pay through a debit card issued by any banks in Qatar.
- Liquor Permit
A minimum basic salary to get a permit is 4,000 Qatar Riyals or 1,100 USD.
To obtain a liquor permit, a letter from employer, signed and stamped by authorized person in the company, stating your position, basic pay, accommodation, religious affiliation, marital status, valid passport, residence permit and a deposit are required.
Driving
A temporary Qatari license with three month validity is a must before applying for a permanent driving license. If you are a resident (hold a Qatar Residence Permit) you may apply for a Qatar Driving Licence. The licence fee for Qataris is QR500 (valid for 10 years) and QR250 for non-Qataris (valid for 5 years). Additional fees apply for driving and vision tests.
- Basic traffic rules to know while driving in Qatar
As like any other countries, drivers in Qatar have to follow rules when on the roads. The Ministry of interior is tasked with monitoring the roads and ensuring that everyone obeys the law. Some of the regulations to be followed here are listed beneath.
- Minimum age should be 18years to be allowed to drive
- Must have a valid driver’s license
- Vehicle registration should be renewed annually
- Everyone must wear a seat belt while travelling
- Drive on the right-hand side of the road
- Children under 12 years old are not allowed to sit in front of the car
- It is illegal to talk on phone while driving
- it is also illigal to drive while drunk
All the proper documents should be in the vehicle at all times. These are important in case of accident or other similar cases.
- Documents required to Marry in Qatar
Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) from NSO duly authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs (original plus 4 copies) Birth Certificate of both contracting parties from NSO duly authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs (original plus 4 copies) Photo and Signature page of Passport plus 4 copies each.
List of Hospitals and contact information
- Hamad Medical Corporation
P.O.Box: 3050, Off Al Rayyan Road, Opposite Lulu Center, Doha, Qatar
Tel: +974 4394444 Emergency: 999
- Al Khor General Hospital
P.O.Box: 3050, Al Khor Area, Towards Al Thakira, Doha, Qatar Tel: +974 4745555 Fax; +974 4745281
- Children’s Emergency Center (Al Sadd)
Next to Al Sadd traffic signals, Doha, Qatar
Tel: +974 4392948, +974 4396036, +974 4392971 Hotline: +974 4396061
- Al Amal Oncology Hospital
Rumaillah Hospital Complex, off Al Rayyan Road,
Tel: +974 4745555, +974 4392049
- Rumaillah Hospital
Al Rumaila, Off Al Istiolal Street (next to Olympic Village), P.O. Box: 3050
Tel: +974 4393333
- Women’s Hospital
Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O.Box:3050
Tel: +974 4396666
- Al Ahli Hospital
Ahmed Bin Ali Street, P.O.Box:6401, Doha, Qatar
Tel: +974 4898888 Fax: +974 4898989 Email: [email protected]
- Al Emadi Hospital
D Ring Road, opposite Regency Hall, near The Mall roundabout,
P.O.Box:5804, Doha, Qatar
Tel: +974 4666009 Fax: +974 4678340 Email: [email protected]
- Doha Clinic Hospital
New El-Merqab Street, Fariq Al-Nasr,P.O.Box:9958, Doha, Qatar
Tel: +974 4327300 Emergency: +974 4327303 Email: [email protected]
- American Hospital
Al Muntazah, C-Ring Road, next to Labour Department,
P.O.Box:22314, Doha, Qatar
Tel: +974 4421999 Email: [email protected]
Work Permit Rules & Requirements for Women in Qatar
For women looking to settle in Qatar, there are various paths they can follow. They may come to Qatar to work, having been offered employment and the resulting company sponsored visa.
Alternatively, they may follow their family to Qatar, having been sponsored by their husband or father. By following the correct application procedures, they can obtain a residence permit to allow them to settle in Qatar in the long term.
But what about work? Are they allowed to work with their residence permit alone?
The answer is no. A woman who is sponsored by a male relative can work, as long as she has a residence permit – but she must also be approved for a work permit if she wants to work while living in Qatar.
Why should you apply for a work permit??
All residents in Qatar must abide by Qatari laws. So, as it is the law for women sponsored by a relative to have a work permit, they must have a work permit if they want to work.
However, there is another important advantage to gaining a work permit.
Women who are employed with a valid work permit will have an employment contract that is legally attested and filed with the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs. This automatically places them under the protection of Qatar Labour Law.
How do you apply for a work permit?
If you want to apply for a work permit to gain employment in Qatar, you will need to provide the following documentation:
Your Qatar ID,
Your legalised, notarised and attested education certificates (translated into Arabic),
An attested police clearance certificate from your home country,
A No Objection Certificate (NOC), completed by your sponsoring family member.
Step by step guide to getting a Qatar Residence Permit
Step 1: Before arriving to Doha International Airport you need to have a print out of the resident visa. After passing passport control you will have a sticker in your passport with visa number and a stamp which states that within 7 working days from the day of entry the bearer should appear at specialized authority ( i.e. medical examination)
Step 2: Firstly, if your husband is not yet registered on the official government website in order to receive mobile notifications ( i. e. Metrash for individuals), he needs to do so. Please note that the mobile number and ID number should be registered under same name.
Step 3: On the first working day (Sunday to Thursday) go for the medical check up which consists of two parts: blood test for HIV, Hepatitis B&C, and X Ray screening for Tuberculosis ( not performed if pregnant, however will be sent to undertake pregnancy test).
I advise you to perform the medical at authorized public hospital (Hamad Medical Corporation) rather than private ones ( Al Ahli Hospital, Doha Clinic Hospital, Al Emadi Haspital) due to cost difference ( 100QR vs aprx 700 QR)
When there go to the family section. You should have with you original passport, copy of the residence permit (with the phone number written on the copy which has been registered earlier for Metrash) and credit/ debit card ( payments in cash are not accepted).
After presenting these documents at the reception you’ll be sent to cashier where you’ll need to pay a fee of 100 QR and your photo will be taken right there. Further, you also will be given a form and the receipt with which you are now ready to undertake all necessary examinations.
After 3 working days you’ll receive a text message after which you can proceed for the next step.
Step 4: The main branch of the Ministry of Interior where you need to undertake fingerprints is located on Salwa Road off the Industrial area flyover and open Sunday to Thursday from 7-12 am and 15-19pm. Go to female section.
In my case I didn’t know that I have to registered for Metrash in order to print out forms or track medical examination result, so I just went there 5 working days after medical examination and have been given the form for the fingerprints from the VIP section. With the original passport, copy of the resident permit and the form ( which you don’t need to fill up) you are ready for the fingerprinting. The service is free.
Step 5: Two working days after fingerprints and/or mobile notification you are ready for the final step. You’ll need one picture on blue background ( 8pc for 20QR, the size is written on the picture box on the fingerprint form), blood group test ( can be done at any local hospital).
Take the form to any printing office and for a small fee (5QR) they’ll fill it up ( must be in arabic). Make sure you present your passport or copy along with the blood group certificate in order to avoid any mistakes. At the typing office you’ll be asked if you want to renew the RP each year or have it done for the time of the visa validity. The price for one year is 500QR, however if you decide to have your RP and ID to be valid for the duration of the visa I believe that some kind of discount system is applicable.
Sign the form in the signature box ( must be in black ink) and have “sponsor’s signature” box signed by your husband.
Take the original passport, fingerprints form duly filled and signed with attached photo, blood group test result, copy of the sponsor’s ID (husband’s) and you are ready to present these at the immigration office. I personally had my stamping done at main Immigration Branch ( Gharafa), however if you decide to do it at any other branch (except Mesaimeer) you’ll need to present the original ID of the sponsor (husband).
At the Immigration office (Gharafa) go to entrance number two, proceed to the reception area to receive a token, go to the female waiting area and wait for your turn. Next, proceed to the counter submit the documents, make the payment ( again only credit/debit cards, no cash payments). After that you’ll be asked to wait for 5 min after which your passport along with the ID card will be given back. The picture on your ID card will be the one that you’ve submitted on the form.
That’s all… Congratulations you are fully legitimate member of the Qatari expat society.