Visa Types In Qatar That Compliment Your Travel Plans

Qatar, one of the finest countries in the Middle East, welcomes a whopping number of visitors every year. While many come for the sole purpose of travel, business remains a top priority for others. So, no matter what your travel plans are, Qatar has a visa option for you. Over the years, the nation has made the process quite straightforward in order to provide flexibility to travelers.

Today, there are multiple visa types in Qatar that fit in perfectly with your travel plans. Unless you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country, obtaining a visa is a necessity. So, let's take a look at some visa options open to travelers planning to visit Qatar.

Different Types of Visa In Qatar That Can Perfectly With Your Travel Plans

No matter whether you're planning a long-term stay or coming for a short visit to Qatar, there's always a visa option available to you. Here's what you should know.

1. Family Visit Visa

A visa that requires you to have a friend or a relative residing in Qatar already, a family visit visa is valid for a duration of one month initially while further extension can be availed after some physical examinations.

If a person passes the medical examination, he/she can get an extension of five months. In some cases, the extension can even be of six months but is only valid for first and second-degree relatives along with in-laws. As for the other relatives, the case is completely different and an extension of only two months is given in this case.

Fine For Overstay - QAR 200 per day

2. GCC Resident Visit Visa

Perhaps one of the most notable visa options of all, the GCC Resident Visit Visa is issued to residents who hold positions in approved professions. The Qatar visa types is only available for residents from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and is initially issued for a period of one month. If a resident brings someone to accompany him, that person too can avail of a visa on arrival.

Besides, the GCC Resident Visit Visa can be renewed for a period of three months, for which proper documentation and proof of profession is required. To avail of this type of visa, a GCC resident is required to pay a fee of QAR 100.

3. Online Tourist Visa

Travelers who are not eligible for a visa-free entry in Qatar can apply for a tourist visa online. The cost of the tourist visa is QAR 100 and one can apply through the Qatar Visa Service online. Interestingly, tourist visa holders are allowed to stay in the country for up to 30 days.

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4. Tourist Visa Upon Arrival

Now here's an interesting fact as far as tourist visas are concerned. Citizens from 80 approved countries do not need any prior visa arrangement to enter the country. They are eligible for a visa-free entry into Qatar and can obtain a visa waiver upon arriving. Interestingly, visa-free entry can range in different lengths of stay allowed. All a traveler needs to do is to carry a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months of validity along with a confirmed arrival and departure ticket.

Length Of Stay - The length of stay for travelers varies from country to country. While citizens of certain countries can stay for about 180 days in the state of Qatar, other nationals are allowed only about 30 days in the country either for a single trip or multiple trips. A choice of extension is also available for certain countries which is for about 30 days. However, travelers are advised to confirm their eligibility from the concerned authorities in Qatar.

Tourist Visa Through Employer - Citizens coming from the 33 approved countries to Qatar can get a tourist visa from hotels, embassies, and other authorized employers.

Tourist Visa Through Qatar Airways/Hotels - This type of visa in Qatar is granted to travelers from 33 approved countries and is authorized by hotels operating in the country. One can even avail of sponsorship from any resident relative through Qatar Airways. This type of visa is valid only for a period of one month and is non-extendable.

5. Work Visa For Qatar

Work visa for Qatar is normally organized by the employer in Qatar. For any employee to get a work visa in the country, a certificate of good conduct is required. Once a person arrives in the country, the company gets him/her a work visa which enables the person to live and work in the country.

However, if the visa expires, the person has to pay QAR 20 per day until he/she gets the resident permit.

Things To Note About Work Visa -

• Although happens in rare cases, if an employer cancels the resident permit of an employee, the employee has only 7 days to leave the country.
• If you're on a holiday in Qatar and end up getting a job in the state, then you have to go back to your home country and come back again on a work visa.
• For women, it is possible to be employed under the sponsorship of a husband.

6. Qatar Family Residence Visa

Now here's a thing, those who earn QAR 10,000 a month or more in Qatar and have completed their employment for at least six months can apply for a family residence visa if they wish to bring their immediate dependents to Qatar. What is notable in this case is that the visa is granted under the resident's employer ship. The person already working in the country should have a valid Qatar ID and Residence Visa from the employer.

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7. Transit Visa

Transit Visa is amongst the most used visas in Qatar and can be used by those who wish to stay temporarily in the state for up to 24 hours. Usually, travelers apply for a transit visa while on their way to some other destination. The visa allows the travelers to leave the airport transfer area and stay in Qatar for up to 24 hours.

Interestingly, a transit visa is also helpful for workers who wish to stay in the country for a short span of time. While business travelers do not fulfill the eligibility criteria of a Transit Visa, truck drivers can certainly apply for this type of visa.

How To Apply For Transit Visa - To apply for a transit visa, travelers need the help of their local embassy. The embassy workers or authorized people can apply online on behalf of travelers.

Transit Visa For Passengers Traveling With Qatar Airways - Passengers flying with Qatar Airways can apply for a Qatar Transit Visa free of charge. The visa is valid for up to four days.

8. Qatar Business Visa

Business visas are of two types in Qatar and are offered to non-residents for conducting business or working in the country on a temporary basis. Here are the two types of business visas available -

72-Hour Business Visa: For those who are coming to Qatar on a short-term business trip, a 72-hour business visa is an option. Applicants are required to state the purpose of their visit and carry proper documentation with them. Interestingly, the 72-hour business visa in Qatar is extendable for up to 72 hours and is offered on arrival.

3-Month Business Visa: For those coming to Qatar on short-term contractual work, a 3-month business visa can be arranged by the approved company in advance.

Note: The overstay fine for a business visa is QAR 200 per day.

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9. Real Estate Visa

A real estate visa is a type of resident visa that is issued to real estate owners. The visa is issued through the General Directorate of Border Passports and Expatriates Affairs while required documentation includes a valid passport, a good conduct certificate, a medical check-up, and a letter outlining the property investment from a relevant agency.

10. Education Visa

For students who get admission into an approved educational institution and wish to stay in the country during their educational tenure, an education visa is an option. The visa is granted by the committee that reviews recruitment applications. One can get it from Expatriates Affairs & Unified Services Centers and is granted free of charge.

11. Newborn Visa

The newborn visa is available for babies who are less than 3 months old and traveling with their mother. It is mandatory that the child has either a passport or is included in the father or mother's passport. While both parents should have a valid residence permit, a certificate of birth is also required. Parents do not have to pay any amount for this type of visa.

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12. Investor Visa

Another visa category that is available to investors, the investor visa can be obtained if a person invests in any business venture. This is a residence visa without an employer ship and the applicant must have property ownership documents alongside other things like a good behavior certificate, and a medical check-up. The visa process, in this case, can also be completed online.

13. Return Visa

A return visa is applicable for those travelers who have already stayed in the country but have been abroad for more than 6 months. If the residency is still valid, travelers can take prior approval of entry and purchase a return visa. For more details on document requirements and process, travelers are advised to check with the concerned authorities in Qatar.

Besides, the fee for a return visa varies from QAR 200 to QAR 500 depending on certain types.

14. Official Visa

The official visa is a type of visa that can be granted to government ministries and other such establishments. The request for this visa can be placed online while it can be obtained free of cost and is available for a duration of one month. The visa extension can be availed for five months to six months maximum. Certain requirements for the visa include medical tests and fingerprints.

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What To Do In Case Of Passport Loss?

Are you an expatriate outside the country but have lost your visa? Well, Return Visa is an option for you. This is a visa that can help expatriates get back to the country. One needs to have a copy of a lost passport certificate, along with a copy of an old and new passport.

Important Points To Note About Visas In Qatar

Here are some of the points that travelers should be aware of as far as Qatar visas are concerned.

• Although most visas are issued online, all travel documents are processed at the Ministry of Interior's Department of Passports & Expatriates Affairs.
• The head immigration department in Qatar is located on Luqta Street towards the west of D-Ring Road.
• Most visas get rejected due to a lack of information provided. Hence, travelers need to be sure about the information they provide.
• Qatar visas take about 7 to 10 days of processing time after the submission of fees. This applies to all visas except the visas on arrival.

Qatar E-VISA: Detailed Guide For The Travelers

The Qatari government has launched the Qatar e-Visa application process, which permits you to receive a visa without having to leave your home. Travelers to Qatar are not able to obtain their visas directly from their computers at home. This option is available for cost-efficient online applicants.

The Qatar E-visa is an electronic visa, implemented in 2017, and can be acquired via an online application. It functions as a Qatar tourist visa and is also integrated with advanced security standards, providing greater control and accountability. There are certain guidelines that need to be taken care of while applying for this visa type in Qatar.

• Apply for a 20-day tourist visa to Qatar
• You need to be an adult (age 18), and a citizen of a country on the Qatar e-visa list

If you full fill all the criteria, here are some needed documents you must carry while applying for Qatar E-Visa.

• Valid passport from an eligible country
• Flight booking reservations from an airline
• Current email address
• Credit or debit card to pay the online fee

Visa-Free Entry In Qatar: Are You Eligible?

Do you know that more than 80 countries are eligible for visa-free entry to Qatar? This means you need not apply for any visa prior to your visit, but can obtain one on arrival. All you need is a passport with a minimum validity of six months and a return ticket.

If you are a passport holder of any of the eligible countries, you can travel without a visa and get a multiple entry waiver at the airport, that’s too free of charge. All you need to present is a passport that is valid for six months and a confirmed return ticket to obtain the visa types in Qatar.

There are two types of entry waivers, allowing multiple entries in Qatar. One is for a 90-day stay in Qatar, while the other allows them to stay for 30 days. One will have the option of applying for another 30 days with a 30-day stay entry waiver.

Passport Holders of the following 33 countries are eligible for a visa waiver that is valid for 180 days from the date of issuance. It allows them to stay in the nation for 90 days, either consecutively or on multiple trips.

Citizens of the 47 countries can acquire a visa waiver that is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance. It allows the holder to stay in the nation for 30 days, either consecutively or on multiple trips. There's also a 30-day subscription option.

Procedure:

• Fill in the required online form
• Upload documents like passport scans & personal photographs
• Provide airline booking information
• Online payment using a valid Visa or Mastercard

Qatar is a country that attracts a large number of visitors. From business travelers to tourists and students, every visitor has a different travel requirement. Travelers are required to be aware of the different visa types in Qatar in order to meet the necessary requirements. The right visa type can mean hassle-free travel and staying in the state.

So, are you someone who's planning to travel to Qatar for any specific purpose? Make sure to apply for the right category of visa before planning your travel with your family and friends. Take benefit of the Doha Family Tour packages to explore the rich culture and heritage of Qatar and enjoy a memorable vacation for a lifetime experience.

Visa Types In Qatar - FAQs