A Qatar eVisa is an electronic travel authorisation for eligible visitors entering Qatar for tourism or short stays. Applied online via the Hayya platform, it costs QAR 100 and is processed within 1 to 3 business days. British passport holders are visa-exempt for up to 90 days and do not need to apply.
What is a Qatar eVisa and how to apply?
A Qatar eVisa is an electronic travel authorisation that allows eligible visitors to enter Qatar for tourism or short stays. It is applied for online through the Hayya platform, costs QAR 100, and is typically processed within 1 to 3 business days. British passport holders are currently visa-exempt for up to 90 days and do not need to apply.
What Is a Qatar eVisa?
A Qatar eVisa is an electronic travel authorisation issued by the Qatari government that permits eligible visitors to enter Qatar for tourism or short stays. Introduced in 2017, it replaced embassy-issued paper visas with a fully digital process.
Applications are submitted through the Hayya platform, the designated e-visa portal referenced by Qatar’s Ministry of Interior. Once approved, the Qatar eVisa is delivered as a PDF document via email, which the traveller must print and present at immigration.
The Qatar eVisa is restricted to tourism and short-term leisure visits. It is not valid for employment, long-term residence, or study. This eliminated in-person embassy appointments for eligible nationalities.
Do I Need a Qatar eVisa? Visa-Free Entry Rules
Over 102 nationalities qualify for visa-free entry to Qatar, meaning a Qatar eVisa application is not required before travel. The Ministry of Interior regulatory baseline cites “more than 95 countries” eligible for Visa on Arrival at Hamad International Airport, with permitted stays of 30 or 90 days depending on nationality.
GCC citizens (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman) enter Qatar visa-free using either a passport or a GCC national ID card, with full freedom of movement and no visa requirement under any circumstances.
All nationalities may transit through Hamad International Airport without a visa, provided departure occurs within 24 hours. Qatar Airways passengers can additionally claim a free transit visa for layovers of 5 to 96 hours, regardless of nationality.
If your nationality is not covered by visa-free entry, Visa on Arrival, or transit rules, a Qatar eVisa obtained through the Hayya platform is the standard route for tourism and short stays.
Qatar Visa Finder: Which Entry Route Applies to You?
- Are you a GCC citizen? Yes: visa-free entry with passport or GCC national ID. No Qatar eVisa needed.
- Is your nationality among the 102 visa-exempt countries? Yes: free Visa on Arrival (30 or 90 days depending on nationality). No Qatar eVisa needed.
- Do you hold a valid visa or residence permit from Schengen, US, UK, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand? Yes: apply for ETA (A3) via Hayya.
- None of the above? Apply for a Qatar eVisa (A1 Tourist) via the Hayya platform at.
Travelling from the UK? Here’s What You Need to Know
The Qatar eVisa is not required for British passport holders, who receive visa-free entry for stays of up to 90 days on arrival. UK citizens are exempt from the Hayya eVisa application process entirely and proceed directly to passport control at Hamad International Airport.
Despite visa-free status, British travellers must still present specific documents at immigration. A passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry is required (most UK airlines enforce this before boarding). Travellers must also carry a confirmed return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation, and valid health insurance from a provider registered with Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health.
Visa on Arrival at Hamad Airport is free for UK citizens (QAR 0). In 2023, 159,500 UK visitors travelled to Qatar. Full eligibility details and visa policy updates are available on the Ministry of Interior portal at portal.moi.gov.qa.
UK Traveller Quick Facts
- Visa required: No. British passport holders receive visa-free entry for up to 90 days.
- Cost: QAR 0 (free Visa on Arrival).
- Passport validity: At least 6 months from date of entry.
- Documents to carry: Valid passport, return/onward ticket, proof of accommodation, health insurance.
- Discover Qatar booking: Not required for UK citizens.
Qatar eVisa Types Explained
Qatar eVisa types on the Hayya platform include Tourist (A1), GCC Resident (A2), Electronic Travel Authorization (A3), Companion (A4), and US Green Card Holder (F1). Select the correct type: A1 (tourist, single-entry, 30 days, QAR 100) or A2 (GCC resident, multiple-entry, 60 days, QAR 100) as detailed in the table below.
| Type | Code | Eligibility | Max Stay | Entry | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist | A1 | Tourism and leisure; no gainful activities permitted | 30 days | Single-entry | QAR 100 |
| GCC Resident | A2 | GCC residents of any nationality; residence permit held for at least 3 months; profession must match the permit | 60 days | Multiple-entry | QAR 100 |
| ETA | A3 | Holder of a valid visa or residence permit from a Schengen Area country, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand | – | – | – |
| Companion | A4 | Companions of GCC citizens or residents; must be accompanied by the sponsor or a first/second-degree family member; GCC residence permit held for at least 3 months | – | – | QAR 100 |
| US Passport Holder | F1 | Holders of US passports | – | – | Visa-free |
Work, study, and long-term stays require a consular visa. The Tourist eVisa (A1) can be extended once for an additional 30 days via the Ministry of Interior portal at moi.gov.qa. GCC Resident Visa (A2) rules were updated in November 2025, so applicants should verify current requirements before submitting.
Qatar eVisa Fees and Costs
The standard Qatar eVisa (type A1 Tourist) costs QAR 100 (~GBP 22), with overstay penalties of QAR 200 per day. Visa-free nationalities pay nothing, while certain specialised categories carry different fees. Mandatory health insurance adds an estimated QAR 50 per month from providers registered with the Ministry of Public Health.
| Entry Channel | Visa Fee | Insurance | Overstay Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| eVisa Tourist (A1) | QAR 100 (~GBP 22) | Mandatory (~QAR 50/month) | QAR 200/day (~USD 55/day) |
| Visa on Arrival (non-exempt) | QAR 100 | Mandatory | QAR 200/day |
| Visa-Free Entry (UK, EU, US, 90+ nationalities) | QAR 0 | Mandatory | QAR 200/day |
| Businessmen Visa | QAR 200 | Mandatory | QAR 200/day |
| Official Visa | Exempted (free) | Mandatory | QAR 200/day |
Online Qatar eVisa payments are processed by credit card through the Hayya platform. At Hamad International Airport, Visa on Arrival fees must be paid by debit card at the immigration counter; cash is not accepted at passport control. Travellers paying in cash must visit a designated bank counter before passport control, where a processing surcharge is applied. Major currencies are accepted.
Documents You Need Before Applying
A Qatar eVisa application requires a passport valid for at least 6 months from entry, a digital photo, proof of accommodation, and health insurance.
- Passport – valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of entry; a clear scan of the bio-data page is required.
- Digital photograph – JPEG or PNG format, maximum file size 2 MB, white background.
- Return or onward ticket – confirmed flight booking showing departure from Qatar.
- Proof of accommodation – hotel booking or host’s address. Travellers from India, Pakistan, Thailand, and Iran must book through Discover Qatar.
- Health insurance – policy from a provider registered with the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH).
- Valid email address – used for OTP verification and delivery of the approved Qatar eVisa as a PDF.
- Individual permit per traveller – every person, including infants, requires a separate Qatar eVisa; there is no group or family application.
Photo and Document Upload Specifications
- Photo format: JPEG or PNG
- Maximum file size: 2 MB
- Background: White
- Passport scan: Clear scan of bio-data page, all four corners visible
- Document matching: Passport number on scan must match the application form exactly
Each document must match the passport details entered in the Hayya form. You can verify current document requirements on the Ministry of Interior portal.
How to Apply for a Qatar eVisa (Step by Step)
Apply for a Qatar eVisa via Hayya in 7 steps: register, select visa type, fill form, upload docs, pay QAR 100, receive PDF, track status.
Create your Hayya account
Register at or via the Hayya mobile app, then verify through OTP sent to your email or phone.
Choose your visa type
Select A1 Tourist, A2 GCC Resident, A3 ETA, A4 Companion, or F1 for US passport holders.
Fill in the application form
Enter personal details, passport information, travel dates, and accommodation details.
Upload your documents
Submit a passport bio-data page scan, a digital photograph (max 2 MB, JPEG or PNG, white background), return or onward ticket, and proof of accommodation.
Pay the visa fee
The standard fee is QAR 100, payable by credit card on the Hayya platform.
Receive your approved Qatar eVisa
A PDF with a QR code and reference number is sent to your email. Print a copy for entry into Qatar.
Track your application status
Use your application code at.
Qatar eVisa Processing, Approval & Validity
After submission, a Qatar eVisa is typically approved within 1 to 3 business days, with a PDF sent to your email containing a QR code. The Hayya platform processes digital applications faster than consular channels, where embassy-stamped visas may take up to 2 weeks. Apply at least 5 business days before your intended departure date.
Once approved, the Qatar eVisa arrives as a PDF document via email, containing a unique reference number and QR code. A printed paper copy of this approval letter is required for entry into Qatar. Digital copies on a phone screen are not accepted at immigration counters at Hamad International Airport.
The Qatar eVisa carries two distinct timeframes. The entry validity window defines the period within which you must first enter Qatar after the eVisa is issued. The permitted stay is the maximum duration you may remain in the country: for the Tourist eVisa (A1), this is up to 30 days from the date of entry. The A1 visa can be extended once for an additional 30 days through the Ministry of Interior portal at moi.gov.qa.
Understanding Your Application Status
Track your Qatar eVisa status on the Hayya platform using your application code. Statuses progress as follows:
- Pending: Application submitted, awaiting initial review.
- Pending Accommodation Verification: Upload a Discover Qatar booking voucher. Applies only to nationalities with a mandated accommodation booking (India, Pakistan, Thailand, Iran).
- Pending Payment: Accommodation verified. Pay the QAR 100 fee by credit card to proceed.
- Approved: Qatar eVisa issued. PDF sent to your email with QR code and reference number.
The Hayya Platform
The Hayya platform is the sole channel for Qatar eVisa applications, available via web browser and mobile app on iOS, Android, and Huawei App Gallery. Confirmed by the Ministry of Interior (portal.moi.gov.qa) in its 2026 guidance (published 5 January 2026), Hayya streamlines the tourist visa process by consolidating application submission, status tracking, and approved permit storage, including the QR code required for entry validation.
The Qatar eVisa is delivered as a PDF document via email, and applicants can track its status using an individual application code received upon registration. Hayya 2.0 also stores vaccination records and event tickets alongside visa data. Beyond visa processing, Hayya provides updates on events and offers, and manages border crossing logistics. Visitors arriving by car through the Abu Samra Border must pre-register on Hayya, with vehicle insurance processed electronically via the Qatar Unified Bureau.
Visa on Arrival vs Hayya eVisa
The Qatar eVisa provides pre-approved entry certainty via the Hayya platform, while Visa on Arrival at Hamad Airport costs QAR 100 for non-exempt travellers from more than 95 eligible countries. British passport holders receive free Visa on Arrival (QAR 0) and proceed directly to passport control.
| Feature | Visa on Arrival | Hayya eVisa |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (non-exempt) | QAR 100 | QAR 100 |
| UK citizens | Free (QAR 0) | Not required |
| Payment at airport | Debit card at immigration; cash only at designated bank counter with surcharge | Credit card online |
| Entry certainty | Granted at border | Pre-approved before departure |
| Queuing | Airport immigration queue | Avoids airport queues |
| Discover Qatar mandate | Applies to certain nationalities (India, Pakistan, Thailand, Iran) | Same mandate applies |
| Passport validity (statutory minimum) | 3 months from date of arrival (MOI rule for VoA) | 6 months from date of entry |
Car arrivals via Abu Samra must pre-register on Hayya. The Qatar eVisa pathway secures approval before travel, whereas Visa on Arrival depends on border verification.
Customs notice: Travellers carrying cash or precious metals equivalent to QAR 50,000 or more must declare them at customs upon arrival in Qatar.
FAQ
Do children need their own Qatar eVisa?
Yes. Every traveller, including infants, requires an individual Hayya entry permit. Each person must be registered separately with their own passport.
What happens if I overstay my Qatar eVisa?
A penalty of QAR 200 per day (~USD 55) applies from the first day after your visa expires. Pay fines at the Ministry of Interior office at Hamad International Airport before departure.
Can I extend my Qatar eVisa while in Qatar?
Yes, the Tourist eVisa (A1) can be extended once for an additional 30 days through the Ministry of Interior portal at moi.gov.qa.
How long does it take to get a Qatar eVisa?
Digital applications via the Hayya platform are processed within 1 to 3 business days. Apply at least 5 business days before travel. Consular applications may take up to 2 weeks.
Can I pay for my Qatar eVisa with Apple Pay or Google Pay?
The Hayya platform accepts credit cards for online payment. Apple Pay and Google Pay support is unconfirmed. At Hamad Airport, debit cards are accepted at immigration; cash is not accepted at passport control.
I have dual nationality. Which passport should I use for my Qatar eVisa?
Use the passport you will physically present at immigration. Your Hayya registration, airline booking, boarding pass, and physical passport must all reference the same passport number and nationality.
What if my Qatar eVisa application is rejected?
You may reapply with no cooling-off period. If a Discover Qatar booking was mandated (India, Pakistan, Thailand, Iran), a QAR 100 cancellation fee applies.
How long is my Qatar eVisa valid after approval?
Your approved eVisa has an entry validity window (the period within which you must enter Qatar). Once you enter, the Tourist eVisa (A1) permits a stay of up to 30 days.
Is there a grace period after my Qatar eVisa expires?
No grace period exists. The overstay penalty of QAR 200 per day applies from the first day after your visa expires. Plan your departure before the 30-day limit.
Do I need travel insurance for Qatar?
Health insurance is mandatory for entry into Qatar. You must use a provider registered with the Ministry of Public Health. Carry proof of health insurance regardless of your entry method.
