Do you need a visa to visit Qatar?
Find your nearest Qatar Embassy.
Our Qatar Visa Guide will teach you everything you need to know about Qatar’s visa policy for people from all over the world, including different types of visas, particular requirements, visa sponsorships, visa fees, and more. It is critical to have a scheduled flight ticket in hand before applying for a visa to Qatar.
Travelers visiting Qatar are required to get a visa unless they meet one of the following criteria:
Visitors seeking to enter Qatar may get visas for the country online, either via the countries official website or on the Qatar Airways website if they are flying with the carrier.
The passports of all tourists, with the exception of nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council, must be valid for at least three months from the date of arrival. When entering Qatar, citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are permitted to use their national ID cards.
Qatar is hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup from 20th November to 18th December 2022.
You are required to obtain a Hayya Card. From 1st November 2022 to 23rd December 2022, the Hayya Card is a multiple-entry permit to the State of Qatar for international fans arriving by air, land, or sea. Hayya Card holders are permitted to remain in Qatar until 23rd January 2023; it is also a form of Fan ID.
For the most recent requirements, passengers travelling to Qatar should consult Qatar’s Travel and Return Policy website. Before entering Qatar, visitors are no longer needed to produce a negative Covid-19 PCR or Rapid Antigen test result. There will be no entrance examination. A Hayya Card is required for entry into Qatar regardless of participation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This obligation could persist until January 23, 2023. Non-residents who intend to visit to Qatar until then must submit an application. Apply for your Hayya Card as soon as feasible prior to trip and do not wait until the last minute to register.
During the duration of the Tournament, the following rules shall apply:
Before traveling to Qatar, visitors will not be required to undergo a Covid-19 PCR or Rapid Antigen test. In addition, you will not be required to register on the Ehteraz health application before your arrival.
You will need:
Before traveling to Qatar, ensure you have adequate travel insurance and comply with the latest COVID-19 requirements.
Before traveling to the tournament, you should obtain a travel insurance policy covering your trip and any planned activities. The Hamad Medical Corporation can provide Hayya Card holders with emergency medical care during the tournament.
rivate healthcare treatment is accessible, but it can be costly. We recommend that travelers purchase travel insurance.
You must arrange your accommodations for your stay in Qatar before your departure.
If you wish to stay in Qatar for over 24 hours, you must validate your accommodation reservation when applying for a Hayya Card. You must possess a valid Hayya Card to enter the country.
If you wish to stay with friends or family in Qatar throughout the tournament, your host must register your accommodation on the Hayya portal website.
If you are an international fan attending a match for less than 24 hours, you do not need to make lodging arrangements. You must still apply for a Hayya Card and register your travel information.
Respect and familiarize yourself with all local laws and customs. Qatari laws and customs differ significantly from most countries. Be mindful of your actions to avoid offending others. There may be severe penalties for actions that may not be illegal in your home country, such as importing certain goods. This includes pork products, alcohol, electronic cigarettes/vaping devices, and anything that could be perceived as pornographic.
Do not involve yourself with drugs. Possession of even trace amounts of narcotics is punishable severely. In Qatar, there is zero tolerance for illegal drugs. The penalties for drug use, possession, trafficking, and smuggling can include lengthy prison terms, hefty fines, and deportation.
Currently, alcohol is only available to guests in licensed hotel restaurants and bars; however, availability is expected to expand during the tournament at select fan zone locations. Alcohol is not available for purchase in stores. There is only one distributor in the country, which is restricted to permit-holding citizens. Qatar has a legal drinking age of 21. You are not permitted to consume alcohol or be drunk in public. The importation of alcoholic beverages into Qatar is prohibited. You will not be able to purchase duty-free alcohol in airports for importation into Qatar.
In Qatar, homosexuality is illegal. Private life is generally respected in Qatar, but any public display of affection between two people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or intent, is offensive.
The World Cup host authorities have stated that ‘everyone is welcome’. They have ‘publicly confirmed’ that there will be no restrictions on unmarried couples or friends (including LGBT
individuals) sharing a room.
The World Cup stadiums are located in compact areas, and transportation routes will be extremely congested for the tournament duration. Particularly on game days, you must plan your route and leave ample time.
On match days, your Hayya Card grants you free access to public transportation, including the bus, metro, and tram. If you wish to rent a car or use taxis, you should be aware that road discipline is very poor; speeds are high and accidents, including those involving pedestrians, are common.
If you intend to travel around the Gulf during the tournament, you should review the travel information page for each country you intend to visit or pass through. Other countries’ entry
requirements, local laws, and customs will likely differ.
If you intend to drive to Qatar, you should be aware of the risks involved. Driving across the Gulf can be challenging with limited fuel and rest stops. You must be patient and provide ample time for your journey. Please refer to the Saudi Arabia Travel Advice page, as this is the only land border with Qatar.
During the tournament, specific procedures will be in place to enter Qatar via the Abu Samra Border Crossing, including restrictions on vehicle entry. For additional information, please visit the Qatar 2022 and Ministry of Interior websites.
Similar to the 51 nations listed above, nationals of India can enter Qatar without a visa and stay for up to 30 days during single or multiple journeys, with the possibility to extend their stay for another 30 days, if the following conditions are met: Validity of the passport must be at least six months.
There are two types of Qatar visa: the Qatar short tourist visa (valid for two weeks) and the Qatar long tourist visa (valid for one year) (3 months). You are eligible for a Qatar business visa only if you are employed by a Qatari company.
The visa exemption restricts your stay in Qatar to no more than 90 days within 180 days. Therefore, you may enter Qatar several times for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days.
