Aug 23, 2016, 9:54 am

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Last edit by: JDiver

Qatar Visa and Visa on Arrival

"All visitors to Qatar require a visa, and certain passengers are eligible for visas on arrival. For your own convenience and comfort, it’s best to confirm these requirements before starting your journey." Link to DOH / Hamad International Airport ("HIA")Arrivals page.

Tourist Visa: Single entry (non-extendable Tourist) visa on arrival for up to thirty days is available for passport holders of The United States, Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, the Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Lichtenstein, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and South Korea (sic).

Link to Hukoomi / Qatar e-Government web page on visas.

"Your passport is from one of the countries on this list then you’re eligible for a single-entry visa on arrival. This is valid for a one-month stay in Qatar. Please approach an immigration counter, present your passport and pay your visa fee." The visa fee is payable with a credit card; cash will complicate things immeasurably. Immigration counters are open 24/7 at HIA.

Tourist Visa Fee:
Visa issuance fee: QR 100 for each visa and QR 50 for each accompanying person. (~£20, USD $27.50 at writing)
Fine for overstay: QR 200 per day

Link to Qatar Ministry of Interior Visa Services web page

"If you’re a resident of a GCC country (Gulf Cooperation Council) then you’re eligible for a single-entry visa on arrival. The visa will only be issued if your residence permit is valid for at least six months and if your profession (as mentioned on your residence permit) appears on this list. Please approach an immigration counter, present your passport and pay your visa fee. Your visa will be valid for a one-month stay in Qatar and it can be renewed for a further two months." (HIA)

All others should check IATA TIMATIC and make necessary arrangements in advance. Link to IATA TIMATIC web to check your own visa requirements. (All airlines use TIMATIC to determine if you can board and fly or not.)

NOTE: Travelers from countries not mentioned above can apply for a Tourist Visa through booking with a hotel in Qatar or Qatar Airways.

Maps links for DOH / HIA: Link to maps for arrivals at DOH / Hamad International Airport (HIA)

Al Maha meet and greet: HIA is fairly easy to navigate, but if you have doubts you can make arrangements with Al Maha services. "Al Maha Services is a personalised meet-and-assist service for passengers arriving, departing or transferring through Hamad International Airport." Al Maha offers several levels of service, including a transit lounge. Link to Al Maha Services website.

NOTE: Alcoholic beverages will be confiscated by Qatar Customs if you take them landside. Smuggling alcoholic beverages into Qatar is punishable by forty lashes.

Updated 23 Aug 2016 by JDiver

Qatar Visa and Visa on Arrival.

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Aug 18, 2014, 4:55 pm

onebagtraveller

Original Poster

Join Date: Apr 2009

Posts: 325

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!

Aug 19, 2014, 12:32 am

Sixth Freedom

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: May 2007

Programs: BA Gold

Posts: 12,046

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.

Aug 19, 2014, 7:40 am

bdemaria

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Apr 2006

Location: SJC/VCE

Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT

Posts: 10,161

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebagtraveller

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?

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.

Aug 19, 2014, 10:24 am

FlyIgglesFly

Join Date: Nov 2009

Location: Trenton, NJ (PHL, EWR)

Programs: A3 Gold, BA Bronze

Posts: 1,633

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.

Aug 19, 2014, 5:02 pm

onebagtraveller

Original Poster

Join Date: Apr 2009

Posts: 325

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!

Aug 30, 2014, 8:49 pm

Annalisa12

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: May 2012

Location: Sydney Australia

Programs: No programs & No Points!!!

Posts: 14,222

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

Mar 5, 2016, 3:50 pm

LukeO9

Join Date: Dec 2009

Location: ADL

Programs: QFF, AAdvantage, All

Posts: 1,137

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.

Mar 5, 2016, 6:18 pm

sharp5flat9

Join Date: Jan 2015

Location: Abu Dhabi

Programs: BA Gold/OWE

Posts: 531

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

Mar 5, 2016, 7:01 pm

LukeO9

Join Date: Dec 2009

Location: ADL

Programs: QFF, AAdvantage, All

Posts: 1,137

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharp5flat9

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.

Mar 6, 2016, 11:29 pm

#10

westmideast

Join Date: Mar 2014

Location: Midwest/Mideast (ORD/DTW/FNT/BAH)

Programs: QR Gold/Gulf Air Gold/UA Gold

Posts: 345

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebagtraveller

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.

Mar 7, 2016, 4:45 am

#11

LukeO9

Join Date: Dec 2009

Location: ADL

Programs: QFF, AAdvantage, All

Posts: 1,137

Quote:

Originally Posted by westmideast

- 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?

Mar 7, 2016, 9:07 pm

#12

Deleerious

Join Date: Dec 2015

Location: Doha, QA

Programs: Emirates, Qatar Airways

Posts: 76

Quote:

Originally Posted by LukeO9

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.

Mar 7, 2016, 11:22 pm

#13

sharp5flat9

Join Date: Jan 2015

Location: Abu Dhabi

Programs: BA Gold/OWE

Posts: 531

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

Mar 8, 2016, 1:13 am

#14

LukeO9

Join Date: Dec 2009

Location: ADL

Programs: QFF, AAdvantage, All

Posts: 1,137

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deleerious

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

Mar 8, 2016, 2:22 am

#15

westmideast

Join Date: Mar 2014

Location: Midwest/Mideast (ORD/DTW/FNT/BAH)

Programs: QR Gold/Gulf Air Gold/UA Gold

Posts: 345

Quote:

Originally Posted by LukeO9

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

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.

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