Qatar Visa and Visa on Arrival.
 

Hi! Hope this is a flame-free section for noob questions. The DOH airport website is helpful but I thought I would ask the experts here.

I'm a Canadian citizen going to DOH for the first time. Arriving from DXB on a QR economy fare. I have no status with QR.

It looks like I can get a visa on arrival at DOH.

That said I'm arriving at 22:30 - is that still possible or are things closed up that late?

If so what is the procedure on landing? At some airports you have to go to a visa section first and then through immigration at a different area. Or is everything pretty well signed and smooth?

Is the arrival service from Al-Maha worth it to go extra fast/smoothly?

I was going to get a visa from the Qatar airways website but there was a section there where it said I had to book the hotel through them. I've already pre-arranged my hotel so I can't use their website.

Thanks for your help!

Visa on arrival is processed at the same time and at the same desk as the actual immigration. You will need to pay using a credit card and this service is available 24 hours a day.

The Al Maha arrivals service is worth every penny.

DOH is very much a 24 hr airport as many of the flights departs c. midnight/1 am. The Visa process is very straightforward, clearly marked, etc... Even tho its easy, the Al Maha service is well worth the $$ - esp. after a long flight.

Visa is very easy and quick IF you arrive at a time when arrivals is relatively empty. If not, others are right, Al Maha is totally worth it.

Thanks a lot!!

Very helpful and puts me at ease.

Do you think 22:30 is going to be busy arrival time with flights?

I will check out the Al-Maha services more in any case.

Thanks again!

I easily got a Qatar Visa, paid for it and was done very quickly.

With respect to a <24hr stopover in Qatar, is it true that you just turn up at the immigration counter at DOH for a VOA? No pre-arrangement(s) or filings? Sounds to good to be true.

Assuming your nationality is eligible for VOA, just hand the officer your passport and credit card, and type in your PIN. No forms, etc.

Thanks.

Just to address the points (some of which have already been addressed):
- 24 hour airport so arriving that late is no issue
- visa/immigration is all in one and straightforward
- Al-Maha - I don't think you need it.
- If you already booked your hotel, you could try to call them to see if they can arrange the visa for you.

What advantage would that be, since Canada has a visa on arrival arrangement with Qatar?

The queues getting through immigration will probably take longer than the DXB - HIA flight. It's horrendous all the time.

Qatari residents can get an e-gate pass for their residency permit. But visitors cannot.

>> It's horrendous all the time.
Except for my last few visits, admittedly on Friday mornings for weekend visits

Sorry? How would arranging a visa through the hotel be an advantage?

It really wouldn't(unless of course they got you the visa at no additional cost to you (included with your hotel costs), then you would have the cost savings).

I was just responding to your point about not be able to avail the visa from the website because you had already booked the hotel separately.