Do You Need A Transit Visa For Qatar

Transit Visa for Qatar–To visit Qatar through one of its land borders you will most likely need a transit visa. As some visitors want to visit the beautiful city of Doha and the country’s historic capital of Doha Al Rayyan, there are strict rules in place as to how long you can remain in Qatar on a transit visa.

Most visitors require a visa to enter the country, but anyone that is getting an airside transit visa (which doesn’t require you to leave the airport) won’t need one. The main advantage of these visas compared to regular tourist visas is that they do not need to be applied for ahead of time and you can get them on arrival at Doha International Airport.

Qatar, a peninsula in the Arabian Peninsula, is considered an absolute monarchy. The country gained its independence from the U.K. in 1971. Qatar is rich with oil, petroleum and natural gas reserves, thus becoming one of the richest countries in the world by per capita income.

Do You Need A Transit Visa For Qatar

Visa Terms and Conditions

TRANSIT VISA (5 TO 96 HOURS) – STATE OF QATAR

The following terms and conditions apply for the Transit Visa Scheme in Qatar

• Nationals from a total of 80 countries* can now take advantage of visa free entry into Qatar, thanks to our new visa waiver upon arrival. If you are applying from one of these countries, a pre-approved transit visa is no longer needed. For more information, click here.
• A pre-approved transit visa for duration between 5 to 96 hours must be processed through a Qatar Airways Office or through the Qatar Airways website. The duration of stay beyond 96 hours is not permitted under this scheme.
• Individual passport per visitor is mandatory (including infants). A clear passport copy is required to be submitted at a Qatar Airways office or through Qatar Airways website. Passport should be valid for minimum 06 months at the time of entry into Qatar.
• The processing time for the visa application is a minimum of 07 days excluding Public holidays.
• Validity of the visa is for a period of 30 days from the date of issuance and for a single entry only. (Extension of validity is not permitted). A fresh visa application must be submitted.
• Entry to the State of Qatar with approved visa must be within 30 days from the date of issuance of visa, passengers are requested to keep this in mind while planning their itinerary and visa submission.
• Customers must hold a copy of the approved transit visa at the time of boarding and upon arrival into Qatar.
• Confirmed tickets for a journey into Qatar and the onward journey out of Qatar must be on Qatar Airways ticket document. Both the flights must be operated by Qatar Airways. The facility is not applicable for travel where Doha is the point of turnaround e.g. BOM-DOH-BOM.
• Entry into Qatar will be at the discretion of the immigration authorities. Qatar Airways will not be responsible for the decision of the immigration authorities. Qatar Airways offices acts only as a processing agent for visa applications and will not be liable for any expenses incurred should there be a delay in visa issuance or rejection from the Ministry of Interior, State of Qatar.
• In case of visa rejection upon arrival into Qatar, passenger may travel onwards if holding a valid visa for final destination or make alternative arrangements of return travel to origin/other destination on his own expense. The unutilized portion of the original ticket however may be refunded without penalties. Optionally you may change your itinerary free of charge for rebooking in the same cabin.
• All other expenses including accommodation costs in Qatar if any, must be borne by the passenger.
• In addition, reservations & ticketing terms and conditions apply.
• If you are looking for more information, you can browse our Qatar Transit Visa FAQs

The information listed below may be affected and some facilities and services may no longer be available due to COVID-19 precautionary measures that have been put in place. Visit the COVID-19 impact FAQs page here for the latest information or call the customer service hotline on +974  4010 6666
Some visitors to Qatar require a visa, more than 80 countries nationals can enter Qatar visa-free and certain passengers are eligible for visas on arrival. When travelling from Qatar, all expatriate residents, as well as some visitors, must have exit permits. For your own convenience and comfort, it’s best to confirm these requirements before starting your journey.

Arrivals

Important information for passengers arriving at Hamad International Airport.

Using your e-gate card

If you have a valid e-gate card, then please proceed directly to the e-gate area. This is located towards your right-hand side as you approach the passport control area (map).

Visa on arrival

• For detailed information regarding entry visas, please see these pages: link 1, link 2 
• If your passport is from one of the countries on this list then you’re eligible for a single-entry visa on arrival. This is valid for a one-month stay in Qatar. Please approach an immigration counter, present your passport and pay your visa fee.
• If you’re a resident of a GCC country (Gulf Cooperation Council) then you’re eligible for a single-entry visa on arrival. The visa will only be issued if your residence permit is valid for at least six months and if your profession (as mentioned on your residence permit) appears on this list. Please approach an immigration counter, present your passport and pay your visa fee. Your visa will be valid for a one-month stay in Qatar and it can be renewed for a further two months.

Paying your visa fee

• The easiest way to pay your visa fee is with your credit card or debit card, directly at an immigration counter. The visa fee depends on your nationality and type of visa.
• If you’d like to pay your visa fee with cash, then you need to visit the designated bank counter (map) before you approach a passport control counter. The bank will charge a fee (QAR 25/USD 7) for processing your cash payment. All major currencies are accepted.

Getting a visa before you travel

If you’re not eligible for a visa on arrival (please see eligibility criteria above), then you need to arrange a visa before you travel to Qatar. This can be done at Qatari embassies around the world, or by enquiring with a hotel you have a booking within Qatar. The visa fee depends on your nationality and type of visa (click here for more details on visa fees). Please ensure you plan enough time for the visa to be processed.

If you’re flying with Qatar Airways, then you may be able to arrange a visa on arrival by booking a hotel stay for the duration of your visit. Please visit the Qatar Airways Holidays website for more information and assistance. Please note that the normal visa processing time is about two weeks, while the fast-track service takes about five to six days.

Priority processing

All Al Maha customers, special assistance travellers and unaccompanied minors receive priority processing on arrival at Hamad International Airport.

Things to avoid

• Please don’t approach a passport control counter if you’d like to pay your visa fee in cash. The passport control counters can only accept credit cards and debit cards. Please use the designated bank counter for cash payment (map).
• Please don’t commence your journey before confirming visa requirements. This will help minimise any inconvenience or delays during travel.

Solving problems

If for any reason you’re denied entry into Qatar, then the Ministry of Interior and your airline will provide guidance and assistance.

Getting an e-gate card

If you’re a Qatari national, an expatriate resident in Qatar, or a citizen of a GCC country (Gulf Cooperation Council), then you can apply for an e-gate card by visiting the Ministry of Interior office in Al Gharafa (Doha). Please click here for more details.

Departures

Important information for passengers departing from Hamad International Airport.

Exit permits

• To find out if you need an exit permit, please visit the Hukoomi website
• If members of your family are visiting you in Qatar, then any male visitors whose stay in Qatar exceeds one month are required to obtain an exit permit when exiting the country (female family members are exempt).

Clearing passport control

• Scan your boarding card at the automated security gates just before the passport control area.
• Keep your travel documents (passport, exit permit, boarding pass and ticket) ready to present to the immigration officer.
• Dedicated lanes are available for First Class and Business Class passengers.

Priority processing

All Al Maha customers, special assistance travellers and unaccompanied minors receive priority processing when departing from Hamad International Airport.

Things to avoid

• If you’re travelling to a GCC country (Gulf Cooperation Council), then your passport must be valid for at least six months (three months for GCC citizens). Please make sure your passport meets this requirement, otherwise, your airline won’t be able to accept you for travel.
• If you have any unpaid fines in Qatar, then you won’t be allowed to leave the country. Please make sure any unpaid fines are settled before you travel. You can also pay your fines at the Ministry of Interior office at Hamad International Airport (map).

Solving problems

• If you’re not allowed to leave the country because of unpaid fines, you can pay them at the Ministry of Interior fees and fines office at Hamad International Airport. It is located at the end of check-in Row 8 (map).
• If you’re not allowed to leave the country because you don’t have an exit permit, please approach the Ministry of Interior office at Hamad International Airport.