The Qatar e-Visa is an online visa issued for short-term travel. The electronic visa system was introduced by the Government of Qatar in 2017 to make the visa application process easier for foreign visitors and encourage more people to try visiting Qatar.
In , Qatar continues to update its visa system, including changes to electronic visas, transit rules and Hayya categories, ensuring a more streamlined and transparent process for international travelers.
With a valid visa, you may travel to Qatar for tourism, business, and transit purposes. During the trip, enjoy cultural festivals and meetings with family. The Qatar e-Visa also allows you to participate in professional conferences and contract negotiations.
The Qatar e-Visa application is a fast and simple process. Current processing time for Qatar e-Visas is typically 3–7 business days, based on the latest updates from the Ministry of Interior. You only need to fill in the registration form, submit all the required documents, and cover the visa processing payment. The entire procedure can be completed from home in less than 10 minutes.
The approved electronic visa for Qatar will be delivered to your e-mail address. For smooth entry in , travelers are recommended to carry both a digital and printed copy of their e-Visa, as immigration officers may request paper documentation. Do not forget to print it out before your travel, as it is essential to present the customs officers with a paper copy. The essential personal documentation will be verified on arrival in Qatar.
Regardless of the selected type, the validity period of your Qatar e-Visa is 30 days. This rule applies to different visa types - Qatar Tourist Visa, Qatar GCC Resident Visa, and Qatar ETA Authorization. However, the Qatar Transit e-Visa will remain effective for 4 days only.
Important update for : The GCC Resident Visa (A2) issued via the Hayya platform now allows a stay of up to 2 months and supports multiple entries during its validity period.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa Types | Tourist e-Visa, GCC Resident Visa, ETA Authorization, Transit Visa |
| Standard Validity | 30 days |
| Transit Visa Validity | 4 days (96 hours) |
| Processing Time | 3–7 business days |
| Application Method | 100% online |
| Delivery Method | Sent to your email inbox |
| Printed Copy Required? | Yes — recommended for |
| Extension Available? | Yes — except Transit Visa |
| Important Update | Hayya GCC Resident Visa now allows 2-month stay & multiple entries |
A suitable visa for Qatar is required from every traveler that would like to visit the country, regardless of the reason behind the journey. If you comply with the rules of Qatar visa policy, you will be able to enter the country problem-free.
Additionally, citizens of any GCC country (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates) are allowed travel to Qatar without a visa. All they need is a valid national ID card.
Keep in mind that nationals of Palestine and Israel are prohibited from applying for a Qatar e-Visa.
As for now, there are four different Qatar visa types available for international visitors. Depending on your country of origin and the activities you plan to pursue abroad, choose a suitable visa type.
| Visa Type | Purpose | Validity / Stay | Extendable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar Tourist e-Visa | Tourism, business visits, family visits, leisure. | Valid for 30 days, stay up to 30 days. | Yes | Standard option for most short-term visitors. |
| Qatar Transit Visa | Airport transit during layovers. | Valid for 4 days (96 hours). | No | Online service suspended; must be arranged via Qatar Airways for layovers of 5–96 hours. |
| Qatar GCC Resident e-Visa | For residents of GCC countries (not GCC citizens). | Valid for 30 days, stay up to 30 days. | Yes | Requires GCC residence visa stating occupation with min. 3-month validity. |
| Qatar ETA Authorization | For holders of selected residence permits / visit visas (e.g. US, Canada, Australia, Schengen). | Valid for 30 days, stay up to 30 days. | Yes | Must hold a valid residence or visit visa for an eligible country. |
The Qatar Tourist e-Visa is an electronic visa issued online for eligible applicants. Once approved, it allows you to enjoy travel related to purposes of tourism, business, and leisure. This visa remains valid for 30 days from the date of your arrival in Qatar.
The online Qatar Transit Visa service is currently suspended. Passengers with a layover of 5–96 hours traveling with Qatar Airways may still obtain a free transit visa, but the application must be handled directly by the airline or at a Qatar Airways ticketing office. This visa cannot be extended.
The Qatar GCC Resident e-Visa is a visa issued for residents of GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates). With a valid visa, you may enter Qatar once and spend there up to 30 days. This visa is NOT for GCC citizens.
The Qatar ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) should be obtained by travelers with a valid residence permit or a visit visa to one of the selected countries (Australia, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Schengen Area). With an approved ETA, you can spend up to 30 days in Qatar.
You can easily apply for a Qatar visa online. The remote application should not take more than 10 minutes of your free time as it is uncomplicated and intuitive.
Remember to ensure your selected electronic device is working properly - it may be a laptop, a tablet, or a smartphone.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Complete the form | ✓ Fill in the online application form with personal details, passport information and travel dates. |
| 2. Upload documents | ✓ Upload clear PDF copies of your passport, photo and any additional required documents. |
| 3. Pay the visa fee | ✓ Cover the visa fee using a credit card, debit card or PayPal through a secure online payment gateway. |
| 4. Wait for processing | ✓ Standard processing time is 3–7 business days, depending on current demand and checks. |
| 5. Receive your e-Visa | ✓ Once approved, your Qatar e-Visa will be sent to your e-mail address as an authorization notice. |
| 6. Print and carry documents | ✓ Print your e-Visa and carry it along with the passport you used for the application. Immigration officers may request paper copies on arrival. |
When your Qatar e-Visa is approved, an authorization notice will be delivered to your e-mail address.
Do not forget to print out your visa before leaving for the journey, as on arrival to Qatar, immigration officers will ask for paper copies of your documents.
| Document | Tourist e-Visa | ETA Authorization | GCC Resident e-Visa | Transit Visa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passport bio-data page | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (via airline) |
| Passport-style photo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | May be required by airline |
| Valid residence permit / long-term visa (US, UK, Schengen, etc.) | — | ✓ | GCC residence visa (min. 3 months validity) + GCC ID | — |
| Accommodation booking | ✓ (through official Qatar booking platform) | ✓ (detailed address required) | May be requested | Not usually required |
| Onward / return ticket | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (Qatar Airways itinerary) |
To avoid any difficulties with the online application process, make sure you meet the essential Qatar visa requirements. Below, you can find more information on the required travel documents.
Qatar Tourist e-Visa Requirements
Qatar ETA Authorization Requirements:
Qatar GCC Resident e-Visa Requirements:
IMPORTANT!
The accommodation reservation required for the Qatar e-Visa application must be booked through the official website of the Qatar Government. Other documents will not be accepted.
On arrival to Qatar, you must present the customs officers with a valid passport. It must be the same document that you used for the application process, and it should remain effective for at least 6 months from the planned date of travel.
Nationals of the following countries can obtain the Qatar e-Visa online.
IMPORTANT!
To obtain the Qatar visa, countries marked with "*" should provide one of the following:
The standard validity period for a Qatar e-Visa is 30 days. Regardless of the selected type, it is effective for a month, but you may request a visa extension. The Transit e-Visa is valid for 4 days (96 hours)
The Qatar e-Visa is a visa issued online for selected visitors. It allows them to spend up to 30 days in Qatar, traveling for the purposes of tourism, business, and transit. To apply for the visa, you only need to complete an intuitive 3-step procedure. The approved visa will be delivered to your e-mail inbox.
You can apply online for the Qatar e-Visa - complete the application form with relevant data, upload the required documents in digital forms, and make the payment for the processing fee. The entire procedure can be done from the comfort of your home.
To enter Qatar, each traveler should have a suitable visa. The visa requirement applies to all visitors, both adults and minors. If you do not obey the visa policy of Qatar, you will not be able to cross its borders.
The standard processing of your visa application is 1-3 business days depending on nationality. When it is approved, you will get your e-Visa from your e-mail address.
While filling in the application form, you will be required to provide your personal data and travel details - write down your name, surname, gender, nationality, date of birth, as well as the date of departure, date of arrival, accommodation address, and travel purpose.