Visa policy of Qatar
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Visitors to Qatar must obtain a visa, unless if they are citizens of one of the GCC countries or if they are citizens of one of the countries eligible for a visa waiver on arrival.
Visa policy map
Freedom of movement
Citizens of the following Gulf Cooperation Council countries enjoy freedom of movement in Qatar.
They do not require a visa under any circumstances, and are permitted to use a national ID card in lieu of a passport to enter Qatar:[1][2]
Visa exemption (Free visa on arrival)
Citizens of the following countries is granted automatically a free visa upon arrival for stays up to the duration listed below.
They must hold passports valid for at least six months from the date of arrival, as well as a return or onward ticket (unless if holding a valid visa issued by Oman).
However, some nationalities must meet additional criteria in order to be granted the visa waiver:[1][2][3]
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90 days within any 180 days
30 days* |
* - May apply to extend their stay for another 30 days.[2]
1 - Must present a confirmed hotel reservation in one of the designated VOA hotels booked through Discover Qatar for the period of stay.[5]
2 - Must present a polio vaccination certificate.[2]
Visa on arrival
Nationals of the following countries can obtain a visa on arrival.
The fee is QR 100, and they must hold passports valid for at least 3 months from the date of arrival, as well as a return or onward ticket.[1]
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30 days* |
* - Includes French Guiana and Falkland Islands.
1 - Must present a confirmed hotel reservation in one of the designated VOA hotels booked through Discover Qatar for the period of stay.[5]
2 - Must present either a credit card or a debit card with a balance of at least 1000 USD.[2]
3 - If entering Qatar for tourism, a credit card or at least QAR 5000 in cash must be presented. If entering Qatar for business, an invitation letter from a company certified by the Qatari government must be presented.[2]
4 - Qatar-Oman Joint on-Arrival Tourist.
Transit
Regardless of nationality, travelers who are in transit through Hamad International Airport do not require a visa if they depart within 24 hours.[2]
On 26 September 2016, the Ministry of the Interior announced the issuance of free transit visas for passengers of any nationality transiting through Hamad International Airport.
Only travellers travelling on Qatar Airways, with layovers between 5 and 96 hours are eligible.[6][1]
Diplomatic and service category passports
Holders of diplomatic or official / service category passports of the following countries do not require a visa for 30 days (unless otherwise stated) :[2]
D - Diplomatic passports only
1 - 90 days
Future changes
Qatar has signed visa exemption agreements with the following countries, but they has not yet entered into force:
| Country | Passports | Agreement signed on |
|---|---|---|
 Ghana[7]
|
Diplomatic, service | March 2022 |
 Dominican Republic[8]
|
Diplomatic, official, service | January 2022 |
 Nepal[9]
|
Diplomatic, service | October 2018 |
 Ethiopia[10]
|
Diplomatic, service | November 2017 |
Visitor statistics
Most visitors arriving to Qatar were from the following countries of nationality:[11][12][13]
| Country | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|
 India |
333,708 | 340,104 | 375,910 |
 United Kingdom |
120,495 | 132,301 | 135,645 |
 United States |
101,144 | 102,774 | 93,174 |
 Pakistan |
49,510 | 49,012 | 86,670 |
 China |
45,627 | — | — |
 Germany |
44,440 | — | — |
 Egypt |
43,614 | 81,283 | 92,036 |
 Australia |
42,765 | — | — |
 France |
42,026 | — | — |
 Italy |
37,436 | — | — |
 Saudi Arabia |
— | 949,145 | 855,555 |
 Bahrain |
— | 135,202 | 132,913 |
 United Arab Emirates |
— | 134,578 | 117,575 |
 Oman |
— | 98,617 | 102,332 |
 Kuwait |
— | 93,115 | 91,843 |
| Total | 860,765 | 2,116,131 | 2,083,653 |
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Qatar entry rules". Qatar Tourism. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Visa and passport". Timatic. International Air Transport Association through Emirates. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ^ "Visa policy of Qatar".
- ^ "Qatar Visas".
- ^ a b "VISA ON ARRIVAL HOTELS".
- ^ New Transit Rules Make Visiting Qatar Easier
- ^ "The Republic of Ghana signs visa waiver agreement with Qatar". 6 March 2022.
- ^ "Qatar, Dominican Republic hold round of political consultations". 27 January 2022.
- ^ "Qatar-Nepal talks focus on enhancing ties". 30 October 2018.
- ^ "Qatar, Ethiopia sign accords to cement bilateral relations". 15 November 2017.
- ^ Annual Tourism Performance Report 2015
- ^ 2016 Annual Tourism Performance Report
- ^ 2017 Annual Tourism Performance Report
External links
- Visa policy of Qatar, Ministry of Interior