Qatar e-Visa 2026: How to Apply Online, Requirements, Fees & Processing Time

Applying for a Qatar e-Visa is now a quick and straightforward process. Thanks to Qatar’s digital visa system, most travelers can complete the entire application online without visiting an embassy or standing in long queues.

All you need to do is fill out the application form, upload the required documents, pay the visa fee, and wait for your approved e-Visa to arrive by email. In most cases, the application itself takes only a few minutes to complete.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the Qatar e-Visa, including the available visa types, eligibility requirements, required documents, processing times, and the step-by-step application process through Qatar’s official online visa platform in 2026.

The Qatar e-Visa is a convenient online visa that allows eligible travelers to visit Qatar without going to an embassy. The entire application process can be completed online, and the approved visa is sent directly to your email.

Feature	Details
Available Visa Types	Tourist e-Visa (A1), GCC Resident Visa (A2), ETA Authorization (A3), and Transit Visa
Standard Visa Validity	Up to 30 days
Transit Visa Validity	4 days (96 hours)
Processing Time	Usually 3–7 business days
Application Method	Fully online through the official Hayya platform
Visa Delivery	Sent to your email as a PDF document
Printed Copy Required?	Recommended, as immigration officers may ask for a printed copy
Extension Available	Yes, for most visa types (Transit Visa cannot be extended)

2026 Update

The GCC Resident Visa (A2) now allows travelers to stay in Qatar for up to 2 months and supports multiple entries, making it more flexible for eligible visitors.

Who Needs a visa for Qatar?

Most international travelers need a visa to enter Qatar. However, there are some exceptions based on nationality and residency status.

At present, Palestinian and Israeli passport holders are not eligible to apply for a Qatar e-Visa.

Using the Hayya Platform

Even if you are eligible for visa-free entry, you can still register through the Hayya platform before traveling. This can help speed up your arrival process by allowing access to fast-track airport e-gates.

Additional Requirements for Some Applicants

Travelers from certain eligible countries (marked with an asterisk in Qatar’s official list) must provide one of the following documents when applying:

Before applying, it is always a good idea to check the latest eligibility requirements on Qatar’s official visa portal.

Flag	Country	Flag	Country
🇦🇫	Afghanistan	🇦🇱	Albania
🇩🇿	Algeria	🇦🇸	American Samoa
🇦🇩	Andorra	🇦🇴	Angola
🇦🇬	Antigua and Barbuda	🇦🇷	Argentina
🇦🇲	Armenia	🇦🇹	Austria
🇦🇿	Azerbaijan	🇧🇸	Bahamas
🇧🇭	Bahrain	🇧🇩	Bangladesh
🇧🇧	Barbados	🇧🇾	Belarus
🇧🇪	Belgium	🇧🇿	Belize
🇧🇯	Benin	🇧🇹	Bhutan
🇧🇴	Bolivia	🇧🇦	Bosnia and Herzegovina
🇧🇼	Botswana	🇧🇷	Brazil
🇧🇳	Brunei	🇧🇬	Bulgaria
🇧🇫	Burkina Faso	🇧🇮	Burundi
🇰🇭	Cambodia	🇨🇲	Cameroon
🇨🇦	Canada	🇨🇻	Cape Verde
🇨🇫	Central African Republic	🇹🇩	Chad
🇨🇱	Chile	🇨🇳	China
🇨🇴	Colombia	🇰🇲	Comoros
🇨🇩	Congo (DR)	🇨🇷	Costa Rica
🇭🇷	Croatia	🇨🇺	Cuba
🇨🇾	Cyprus	🇨🇿	Czech Republic
🇩🇰	Denmark	🇩🇯	Djibouti
🇩🇲	Dominica	🇩🇴	Dominican Republic
🇪🇨	Ecuador	🇪🇬	Egypt
🇸🇻

Qatar offers several e-Visa options through the Hayya platform to suit different travel purposes. Choosing the correct visa type can make the application process smoother and help avoid unnecessary delays.

Visa Type	Purpose	Validity / Stay Period	Extendable	Fee	Important Notes
Tourist e-Visa (A1)	Tourism, leisure, business trips, and family visits	Up to 30 days from the date of entry	Yes, up to an additional 30 days (maximum stay of 60 days)	100 QAR (approximately USD 27)	Most common option for international visitors
Transit Visa	Travelers transiting through Qatar during a layover	Up to 4 days (96 hours)	No	Free (through Qatar Airways)	Currently available through Qatar Airways rather than the online portal
GCC Resident Visa (A2)	Residents of GCC countries (excluding GCC citizens)	Up to 60 days with multiple entries	Yes	Varies	Requires a valid GCC residence permit and proof of occupation
ETA Authorization (A3)	Travelers holding valid US, UK, Schengen, Australian, or New Zealand visas/residency permits	Up to 30 days from entry	Yes	100 QAR	Usually processed faster than a standard tourist visa
Companion Visa (A4)	Domestic workers and companions accompanying GCC nationals	Depends on sponsor’s travel status	Depends on approval	Varies	Applicant must travel with the sponsoring GCC national
US Citizen Waiver (F1)	Available exclusively for US passport holders	Valid for 2 years with stays of up to 90 days per visit	Multiple entries allowed	Free	One of the most flexible entry options available

Tip: Before applying, carefully review the eligibility requirements for each visa category to ensure you choose the option that best matches your travel purpose.

The Tourist e-Visa (A1) is the most popular visa option for people visiting Qatar. It is suitable for tourism, sightseeing, leisure trips, cultural events, family visits, and short business meetings, provided you are not taking up employment in Qatar.

Here are the key details:

• Stay Duration: Up to 30 days from the date you enter Qatar
• Extension: Can be extended once for an additional 30 days, allowing a maximum stay of 60 days
• Visa Fee: 100 Qatari Riyals (around USD 27)
• Processing Time: Usually between 1 and 5 working days

This visa is ideal for travelers looking for a simple and convenient way to visit Qatar for a short stay.

The Qatar Transit Visa is designed for travelers who have a layover in Qatar and wish to leave the airport and explore the country before their next flight.

Qatar first introduced the free Transit Visa program in 2016 to encourage travelers to explore the country during longer layovers. The visa allows eligible passengers to stay in Qatar for up to 96 hours, making it a convenient option for short visits between flights.

The GCC Resident Visa (A2) is intended for expatriates who live in GCC countries. It is important to note that this visa is for GCC residents, not GCC citizens.

If you hold a valid residence permit in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, or the United Arab Emirates, you may be eligible to apply under this category.

This visa offers a convenient option for GCC residents who frequently travel to Qatar for tourism, family visits, or business purposes.

The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA A3) is a convenient option for travelers who already hold a valid visa or residence permit from certain approved countries.

You may be eligible for this visa if you have a valid visa or residency permit issued by:

Here are the main details:

This option is ideal for travelers who already have a strong travel history or residency status in one of the eligible countries, making the application process quicker and more straightforward.

The Qatar Companion Visa (A4) is designed for foreign domestic workers and companions who are traveling with a GCC citizen.

The A4 visa is intended to make it easier for GCC citizens to bring their domestic workers or companions with them when visiting Qatar. Applicants must meet the sponsorship and travel requirements to qualify.

Qatar offers a special visa waiver program for United States passport holders, making it one of the most convenient entry options available.

This visa waiver allows US travelers to visit Qatar multiple times without the need to apply for a new visa for each trip, making it an excellent option for frequent visitors.

Applying for a Qatar e-Visa is quick and convenient. The entire process is completed online through the Hayya platform (www.hayya.qa) or the Hayya mobile app, and most applicants can finish it in about 10 minutes without visiting an embassy or consulate.

Step	What You Need to Do
1. Create a Hayya Account	Visit www.hayya.qa or download the Hayya app. Sign up using your email address, verify it with the one-time password (OTP), and add your mobile number.
2. Choose Your Visa Type	Select the visa category that matches your travel purpose. For example, A1 for tourists, A2 for GCC residents, or A3 for travelers holding eligible visas or residency permits from approved countries.
3. Upload Required Documents	Upload your passport bio-data page, a recent passport-size photo, and any additional documents required for your visa category. The system can automatically read and fill some information using OCR technology.
4. Enter Personal Details	Provide your personal and travel information, including your full name, date of birth, nationality, country of residence, accommodation details, and emergency contact information.
5. Review and Submit	Double-check all information before submitting. Even small mistakes can lead to delays or application rejection.
6. Pay the Visa Fee	Complete the payment online. The standard visa fee is 100 QAR, and payments can usually be made using credit cards, debit cards, or supported online payment methods.
7. Receive Your e-Visa	Once approved, your Qatar e-Visa will be sent to your email as a PDF and will also be available in your Hayya account. Processing typically takes 1–5 working days.

After completing the payment, you will receive a tracking reference number by email. Keep this number safe, as you can use it to check your application status while your visa is being processed.

Before traveling, it is recommended to print a copy of your approved e-Visa and carry it with your travel documents.

The documents you need for a Qatar e-Visa depend on the visa type you are applying for. Each category has slightly different requirements, so it’s important to prepare the correct documents before starting your application.

Document	Tourist (A1)	ETA (A3)	GCC Resident (A2)	Transit Visa
Passport bio-data page	✔	✔	✔	✔ (via airline)
Passport-style photo	✔	✔	✔	May be required
Return / onward ticket	✔	✔	✔	✔ (Qatar Airways itinerary)
Accommodation booking	✔ (via official Qatar platform)	✔ (full address required)	May be requested	Not usually required
Valid residence permit / visa	—	✔ (US/UK/Schengen/AU/NZ)	GCC residence visa (min. 3 months) + GCC ID	—

Apart from visa-specific documents, all applicants must also meet a few basic requirements before applying for a Qatar e-Visa.

Some nationalities, including India, Pakistan, Iran, and Bangladesh, may be required to book accommodation through the Discover Qatar platform. Other travelers can usually use platforms like Booking.com, Agoda, or direct hotel bookings.

If you need to stay in Qatar longer than your original visa allows, you can request an extension for most visa types through the Hayya platform.

How to Extend Your Qatar e-Visa

Step	What to Do
1	Log in to your Hayya account
2	Go to “My Applications” and open your current visa
3	Select the extension option and pay the required fee (around 100–200 QAR)
4	Wait for approval (usually 2–5 working days)
5	Once approved, the updated visa will be sent to your email

Important Extension Rules

Overstay Penalties

To avoid penalties, always track your visa expiry date and apply for an extension on time if needed.

Visa validity depends on the type of e-Visa you apply for:

Visa Type	Validity	Notes
A1 Tourist Visa	30 days from entry	Can be extended once (up to 60 days total)
A3 ETA Visa	30 days from entry	Usually faster processing than A1
A2 GCC Resident Visa	Up to 60 days	Multiple entries allowed
Transit Visa	4 days (96 hours)	Not extendable
F1 US Citizen Waiver	2 years	Multiple entry, 90 days per visit

Processing is usually completed within a few working days and can sometimes be as fast as 48 hours. It’s best to apply early to avoid last-minute delays.

Getting a Qatar e-Visa is quick and easy. Just select your visa type, submit your documents on the Hayya platform, and wait for approval in your email within a few days. Prepare your documents properly and apply early for a smooth, hassle-free entry into Qatar.