Visa Regulations

New visa regulations have made obtaining a visa much easier. Citizens of 34 countries can obtain a one month visit visa upon arrival into Doha.

The following 34 Countries are eligible:The United States, Great Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, the Vatican,Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Lichtenstein, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and South Korea.

Visitors from countries not included in the list of 34, should obtain a visa prior to arrival through the Qatari Embassies aboard or by booking with a Qatar hotel. The fees for single travel visa are 100 QR per passport non-refundable. In addition a copy of the visitors passport must be provided. You can contact the airline stations in your country to get more information.

For visa applications of longer than one month, please apply prior to arrival. Only citizens of Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Sultanate of Oman, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the residents in the Gulf Cooperation Council of Arab States of approved professions are issued a one-month visa upon arrival in Doha which can be renewed for two months. GCC Nationals must ensure that their residence permit has a minimum of 6 months validity.

Please find the list of approved professions at the below address:

http://www.moi.gov.qa/site/english/departments/PassportDept/resources/2011/01/20_20401.pdf

Visas and their cost differ depending on nationality.

Business visas are valid for one to three months and permanent work visas are renewable and maybe granted by the sponsor in Qatar. Changing sponsors is conditional on the approval of the Department of Immigration - Ministry of Interior. An expatriate may not change the sponsorship of their visa until they have completed two years of work with their original sponsor.

All residents need a permit from the sponsor to leave the country but this does not apply for wives and underage children as they are in the custody of the husband or parent. All visitors must depart from the country by the time their visa expires.