Doha, the desert-meets-sea capital: museums, souqs, the Corniche, and a stopover hub between Europe, Africa and Asia.
Qatar is a Gulf destination that mixes modern Doha with desert and inland-sea adventures. Most visitors now get a Hayya A1 tourist e-visa online for a small fee; over 90 nationalities also enter visa-free. For work, every route is employer-sponsored through the Qatari Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Interior — applicants cannot self-apply.
Qatar visa requirements
Know what to prepare before you apply.
Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality, travel purpose, and planned stay. The Standard Visitor route commonly covers tourism, visiting family, short business trips, and short study. Requirements can differ by applicant, so review the route details before you apply.
Common documents to prepare
- Passport with at least 6 months validity
- Passport-size photograph on white background
- Confirmed accommodation or hotel booking
- Valid health insurance covering Qatar
Qatar visas available through Lange Sky
Qatar Tourist e-Visa (Hayya A1)
Purpose:
For leisure, family visits, and short business meetings. Holders of certain nationalities can use the A1 Hayya visa to enter Qatar for tourism and short stays. The A1 visa is a single-entry permit; a separate A3 multiple-entry option is available to eligible nationalities.
When to apply:
As early as you have confirmed travel dates. Apply on the official Hayya portal (hayya.qa) at least a few days before departure; many applications are approved within 1–3 business days, but allow up to 7.
Duration and extensions:
Stay is up to 30 days from the date of arrival. A single 30-day extension is available through Hayya for a fee set by the authorities.
Entries:
Single entry (A1). A separate Hayya A3 multiple-entry visa is available to eligible nationalities.
Ports of entry:
Hamad International Airport (Doha) and the Abu Samra land border with Saudi Arabia (via Hayya Border Crossing).
Delivery format:
Electronic visa (e-visa) sent by email and stored in your Hayya account. You do not receive a physical sticker.
Common questions.
Everything you need to know about applying with Lange Sky. Can't find your answer? Our team is here to help.
Citizens of more than 90 countries can enter Qatar visa-free for short stays. If your nationality is not on the visa-free list, you must apply for a Hayya e-visa before travelling. Use the Visit Qatar Visa Check tool to confirm what applies to your passport.
The government fee for the Hayya A1 tourist visa is QAR 100 (around USD 27). Payment is made online during the application on the Hayya portal. The visa is a single entry valid for 30 days and can be extended once for another 30 days through Hayya.
Most Hayya tourist e-visa applications are decided within 1 to 3 business days. Allow up to 7 business days to be safe, especially during peak travel seasons and major events in Doha.
No. Working on a tourist visa is illegal in Qatar. To work you need a Work Residence Permit sponsored by a Qatari company, which is filed through the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Interior. You cannot switch from a tourist visa to a work visa inside Qatar.
No. The Qatar Work Residence Permit is sponsor-led. Only a Qatari employer (a company or an individual sponsor) can file the application on your behalf, after you have signed an employment contract. The employer arranges the entry visa, the medical exam, biometrics, and the residence permit (QID).
For a company-sponsored worker, the main government components published by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Labour are: work entry visa QAR 200, residence permit QAR 1,000 per year, work permit QAR 100 per year, QID card QAR 100, and the residence medical examination QAR 100. The sponsoring employer normally pays these; the breakdown should be in your employment contract.
Yes. A valid health insurance policy covering Qatar is mandatory. If you do not have one, you can buy a policy on arrival through the Ministry of Public Health scheme. Travellers driving in via Abu Samra must complete the vehicle and health insurance electronically through the Hayya portal.