Qatar will allow visa-free entry for citizens of 80 countries, with immediate effect, officials announced today. The countries include the UK, the USA, Canada, India, South Africa, Seychelles, Australia and New Zealand.
Citizens of those countries wishing to visit Qatar will not need to apply or pay for a visa; instead, a multi-entry waiver will be issued free-of-charge at the port of entry, upon presentation of a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months and a confirmed onward or return ticket.
Depending on the nationality of the visitor, the waiver will either be valid for 180 days, and allow the visitor to spend a total of 90 days in Qatar (multiple-entry); or it will be valid for 30 days and entitle the visitor to spend up to 30 days in Qatar (multiple-entry) with the possibility of applying for an extension of the waiver for an additional 30 days.
Hassan Al Ibrahim, Acting Chairman of Qatar Tourism Authority said, "With 80 nationalities eligible for a free visa waiver upon arrival, Qatar is now the most open country in the region and we are delighted to invite visitors to discover our renowned hospitality, cultural heritage and natural treasures.”
In November 2016, Qatar introduced a free transit visa, which allows passengers of all nationalities transiting in Qatar for a minimum of five hours to stay in Qatar for up to 96 hours (four days). In May 2017, QTA and Qatar Airways launched +Qatar, a package which includes a free night’s stay in a 5- or 4- star hotel in Doha, alongside a complimentary transit visa.
The full list of nationalities:
1. Nationals of the 33 countries listed below do not require prior visa arrangements and can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival in Qatar. The waiver will be valid for 180 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 90 days in Qatar, during either a single trip or on multiple trips.
| 1. Austria
2. Bahamas 3. Belgium 4. Bulgaria 5. Croatia 6. Cyprus 7. Czech Republic 8. Denmark 9. Estonia 10. Finland 11. France |
12. Germany
13. Greece 14. Hungary 15. Iceland 16. Italy 17. Latvia 18. Liechtenstein 19. Lithuania 20. Luxembourg 21. Malta 22. Netherlands |
23. Norway
24. Poland 25. Portugal 26. Romania 27. Seychelles 28. Slovakia 29. Slovenia 30. Spain 31. Sweden 32. Switzerland 33. Turkey |
2. Nationals of the 47 countries listed below do not require prior visa arrangements and can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival in Qatar. The waiver will be valid for 30 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 30 days in Qatar, during either a single trip or on multiple trips. This waiver may be extended for a further 30 days.
| 1. Andorra
2. Argentina 3. Australia 4. Azerbaijan 5. Belarus 6. Bolivia 7. Brazil 8. Brunei 9. Canada 10. Chile 11. China 12. Colombia 13. Costa Rica 14. Cuba 15. Ecuador 16. Georgia |
17. Guyana
18. Hong Kong 19. India 20. Indonesia 21. Ireland 22. Japan 23. Kazakhstan 24. Lebanon 25. Macedonia 26. Malaysia 27. Maldives 28. Mexico 29. Moldova 30. Monaco 31. New Zealand 32. Panama |
33. Paraguay
34. Peru 35. Russia 36. San Marino 37. Singapore 38. South Africa 39. South Korea 40. Suriname 41. Thailand 42. Ukraine 43. United Kingdom 44. United States 45. Uruguay 46. Vatican City 47. Venezuela |