Qatar continues to gain popularity as an international hub for events, tourism and business. So, getting the right Qatar Visa is important if you plan to travel to the country. You might be planning to make a business trip to the country. Otherwise, you might be planning to watch a sports event. Otherwise, you might be looking to explore the unique blend of modernity and tradition of this country. In all these cases, you should know the visa process followed by this country.
I am here to walk you through everything you should be aware of before you take steps to get a Qatar Visa. Here, you can learn about the different kinds of visas and their associated fees. Also, you can understand when and how to apply and the role played by the Qatar Visa Centre.
Qatar Visa Types
Qatar offers different kinds of visas based on the purpose of your visit. Also, it depends on your nationality and the duration of your stay in the country. Here is an overview of the different kinds of Qatar Visa:
Tourist Visa
The Qatar Tourist Visa, as the name implies, is suitable for those playing to explore the tourist attractions in the country. Also, you can apply for this visa if you are planning to visit your family or friends in the country. Even, if you plan to take part in a leisure activity, you can apply for this visa. The validity of a tourist Qatar Visa is 30 days. However, you can get an extension by following a few visa terms.
- Based on bilateral arrangements with Qatar, citizens of the following nations can get a tourist visa on arrival:
- Monaco
- Switzerland
- Spain
- Finland
- Greece
- Ireland
- Portugal
- Denmark
- Norway
- Sweden
- Austria
- Luxembourg
- Belgium
- The Netherlands
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Britain
- Canada
- Italy
- France
- The United States
- Based on Joint Visa Agreements, the citizens of following nations can get visa on arrival at Qatar:
- South Korea
- Singapore
- San Marino
- Sweden
- The United Kingdom
- Poland
- Montenegro
- Liechtenstein
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Hungary
- Hong Kong
- Greece
- Germany
- Finland
- Denmark
- Cyprus
- Canada
- Brunei
- Belgium
- Austria
- Andorra
- India, Pakistan and Thailand citizens
So, if you are a citizen of the above-mentioned nations, you can get a visa on arrival for 30 days to explore Qatar.
Eligibility
To Get a Visa Waiver on Arrival or VoA, you should have the following documents:
- Qatar Travel Insurance
- A confirmed hotel booking
- A confirmed ticket to return to your homeland
- A passport that is valid at least for three months
Business Visa
A Business Visa is a kind of Qatar visa offered to travellers, who plan to carry out business-related activities in Qatar. These activities can be anything like attending conferences or meetings and exploring business opportunities. To be eligible for this visa, you should have a:
- You should have a genuine purpose for why you want to visit Qatar
- You should be in good health
- Your criminal records should be clean
- You should have strong ties in your home country to return
- You should be eligible to meet all your expenses during your stay in Qatar
- You should have good intentions to travel
Documents Required
To apply for a business Qatar Visa, you should have the following documents:
- A valid passport from your home country that is not ripped, torn or damaged
- You should have a valid round trip ticket to Qatar and to your home country
- A valid accommodation document like a hotel booking document in Qatar
- Your Pan card for signature proof
- A Photo identity
- An invitation letter to the company for which you are making a business trip.
Family Visa
A family visa is granted to those living on a work permit in Qatar to bring their children, spouse or other close family members to Qatar. This visa is given for an extended stay of the family in Qatar. They are permitted to stay for a duration of the residency permit that the sponsoring family member holds.
Eligibility
- To apply for this visa, you should have a valid residency permit in Qatar.
- Also, you should be in a position to sponsor the visit of your family members to Qatar.
Transit Visa
You should get a transit visa if you are travelling through Qatar and have a layover of a minimum of 5 hours in Qatar. With this visa, you will get the required permit to stay in the country for a maximum of 98 hours or 4 days. With this visa, you can also explore Doha and surrounding areas.
Documents Required
To apply for a transit visa, you should have copies of the documents mentioned below:
- Original passport with a validity of at least 6 months
- Qatar Airways flight confirmation
- Transit visa
- Confirmed fight tickets with confirmed entry and exit from Qatar
- Passport-size photographs in colour
The documents required might change from time to time. So, it is better to check when you apply for the transit visa. You will have to arrange for a Transit Visa via your local Qatari Embassy before your travel date.
Work Visa
A Qatar work visa is needed if you have secured a job offer in Qatar. The purpose of this visa is to permit foreign nationals to work in Qatar. You must be sponsored by your employer in this case. Once issued, the visa is converted into a residency permit. So, you can continue a long-term stay.
Eligibility
- To apply for a work visa to Qatar, you should be in good health
- You should not have any criminal records in your name
- You should have valid reasons to return to your homeland
- A person applying for a work visa should be eligible to bear all expenses
Documents Needed
- A copy of your passport
- You should have confirmed air tickets
- You should have a hotel voucher
- Also, you should have your Pan Card.
Student Visa
Foreign citizens, who intend to pursue higher education in Qatar should apply for a Student Visa. This visa is issued for students, who have been accepted into a recognized educational institution in Qatar.
Documents Needed
To apply for a student Qatar visa, you should have the following documents:
- A confirmation letter from the respective institution
- Passport with a validity of six months after the course completion at Qatar
- Financial documents confirming your ability to pay the course fee
- You should also have a health check report with HIV test, chest X-ray and blood test reports.
Fees To Get A Qatar Visa
The cost of getting a Qatar Visa will differ based on the type of visa, you plan to apply for. Also, the price will differ based on the duration of your stay in the country. Read on to gain more information:
Tourist Visa
If you are planning to apply for a 30-day tourist visa and if you are between 1 and 55 years, the cost will be around INR 8999. If you are a person above 55 years, the cost will be Rs. 13999 for a 30-day Qatar visa.
Business Visa
In case, you plan to apply for a 30-day business visa, it will cost you around INR 9999. In case, you plan to apply for a 90-day business visa, the cost will be around INR 20,999.
Family Visa
When it comes to family visa, the cost is around Rs.4600. This cost applies to 30-day visit visa that you can extend up to 5 months. For a long-term family visa with a duration of 3 to 6 months, the cost will be around QAR 200 to QAR 500.
Work Visa
The cost of a Qatar work visa differs based on different factors. Examples include length of stay, type of work and nationality of the applicant. The fees for work visas generally vary somewhere between QAR 200 and 500. Additionally, you will have to bear administrative charges, residence permit fees and medical examinations.
Student Visa
The cost of student visa will be around QAR 355. It means that in Indian rupees, the cost will be around Rs.8100.
How to Apply?
When it comes to applying for any Qatar Visa, you can follow one of the three main ways to apply. The method you use will rely on the purpose of your stay, the kind of visa and your nationality.
Irrespective of the kind of Qatar visa you wish to apply for, you can go to the website of the Ministry of Interior of Qatar at https://portal.moi.gov.qa/wps/portal/MOIInternet/MOIHome. You can apply through this website only if you are eligible for an eVisa. Otherwise, you can apply through a consulate or Qatar Embassy.
What is the Eligibility to Apply for eVisa?
To be eligible for an e-Visa to Qatar, you will have to meet the following requirements:
- You should have:
- A passport-size photograph
- Valid return ticket
- Valid passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of arriving in Qatar
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of enough funds to cover your stay in Qatar
- Valid proof of health insurance if you think about staying more than 30 days.
Visa Application Process
To apply for a Qatar Visa, you will have to follow the process given below:
1. Choose the Type of Visa
Based on the purpose of your visit and the duration of your stay, choosing the right type of visa is the first step.
2. Fill out Application
The second step is to fill out the application online. Make sure that you have the required documents ready when applying.
3. Submit Your Application
The third step is to submit your application and the required application. If you are eligible to apply for eVisa, you can apply online. Otherwise, you will have to contact the nearest Qatar Embassy or Consulate to submit your visa application.
4. Pay Visa Fee
Based on the type of visa you are applying for, the application fee will vary. If you are applying online, you can pay the application fee via PayPal, using a credit or debit card. If you are visiting the embassy or consulate, you can pay by cash or card.
Once the application is submitted with the required fee, it might take up to 2 weeks for the application to be processed for regular visas. For e-Visas, you will generally get the visa quickly comparatively. If you have applied online, you can track the progress online. This can be done using the application reference number you get when applying.
When To Apply For A Qatar Visa?
When you apply for a Qatar Visa, time is important. This is particularly important if you are applying for a family relocation or work visa. The right time to apply varies based on the type of visa you apply for:
- Tourist Visa – Apply 2-4 weeks before your intended travel date
- Business Visa – Apply about 4-6 weeks in advance if you are planning to apply for a business visa
- Work Visa – For a work visa, start the application process as soon as you get a job offer. The process can take several weeks and even months due to background checks, medical examinations and other formalities. It is better to apply 2-3 months before your intended travel date.
- Family Visa – It is best to start the application process 2-3 weeks in advance if you are planning to relocate your family to
- Student Visa – It is better to apply for a student visa, as soon as you get the acceptance letter from the university or institute in Qatar.
Conclusion
Whether you are visiting for leisure, business or planning for a long-term move, getting the right Qatar Visa is a straightforward process. With different visa options and a user-friendly application process and also travel agencies that are ready to help you out, the process of applying for a Qatar Visa is easy and simple these days.
Check out the other blog posts I have written about different international destinations.