Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past two years, there’s no way you won’t be familiar with the Hayya Card, and the entry permit issued through the platform for visitors.
The portal is being relaunched, and will now be used to issue all tourist and business visas to Qatar.
You can apply on hayya.qa, or through the Hayya app, which is available on Android (here), iOS (here), and Huawei (here).
Hayya holders will even be able to use the e-gates at Hamad International Airport, and those travelling through the Abu Samra Border will be able to pre-register for faster vehicle entry.
Additionally, GCC nationals can use the platform to apply for an entry permit for companions.
Have friends visiting and want to know more about applying for a visa through Hayya? Here’s what you need to know.
Jump to:
- Types of visas you can apply for through Hayya
- Health insurance for visitors
- Visa on arrival options
Types of visas you can apply for through Hayya
Tourist entry (A1)
- QR100 fee (paid after your visa is approved)
- Permit valid for 30 days from issue, can stay up to 30 days
- Must show proof of accommodation – either by having whoever you are staying with apply to host you, or by uploading a hotel or apartment booking confirmation
- NB: India, Iran, Pakistan, Thailand and Ukraine nationals must book accommodation through the Discover Qatar website
GCC Resident entry (A2)
- QR100 fee (paid after your visa is approved)
- Must have a valid residency of at least three months from the date of arrival to Qatar
- Permit valid for 30 days from issue, can stay up to 30 days
- Must show proof of accommodation – either by having whoever you are staying with apply to host you, or by uploading a hotel or apartment booking confirmation
- NB: Those who do not have an approved profession applying for a GCC resident entry may be required to book through Discover Qatar, and India, Iran, Pakistan, Thailand and Ukraine nationals must also book through Discover Qatar
Entry with Electronic Travel Authorisation (A3)
- QR100 fee (paid after your visa is approved)
- Available to those with a valid Schengen, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or UK visa or residency
- Permit valid for 30 days from issue, can stay up to 30 days
- Return flight ticket is required
- Health insurance is also required for the duration of your stay
- Must show proof of accommodation – either by having whoever you are staying with apply to host you, or by uploading a hotel or apartment booking confirmation
- NB: India, Iran, Pakistan, Thailand and Ukraine nationals must book accomodation through the Discover Qatar website
Entry for companion of GCC citizen (A4)
- QR100 fee (paid after your visa is approved)
- Companion must travel with their sponsor
- Return flight ticket is required
Hayya with Me (C)
- Available to international fans whose Hayya was approved during the World Cup
- Can generate up to three invitation codes for others to use
- Multiple entry visa will be valid until Wednesday January 24, 2024
- Visitors must have health insurance valid until this date
Health insurance for visitors
Travellers staying in Qatar for longer than 30 days must obtain health insurance valid for the length of their stay from one of the Ministry of Public Health registered companies.
The premium for the health insurance policy is QR50 per month.
Alternatively, health insurance policies issued by MOPH approved international insurance companies are also accepted.
These policies must fulfil certain criteria: The geographical coverage must include Qatar, and the policy must cover the full duration of your stay.
The policy needs to cover COVID-19, with a limit of at least QR50,000, and emergency and accidents healthcare services with a limit of QR150,000.
You will also need to provide a paper copy of the policy at the border.
You can find out more about the health insurance rules for visitors to Qatar by clicking here.
Visa on arrival options
Not everybody will be required to apply for a visa through Hayya before travelling to Qatar.
If you are a national of one of the below countries, you can get a visa on arrival that is valid for up to 90 days, either on a single trip or multiple trips:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Belgium
- Bosnia
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Holland
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Ukraine
Nationals from the below countries can get a 30-day visa on arrival:
- Andorra
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Ecuador
- Falkland Islands
- French Guiana
- Georgia, Guyana
- Hong Kong
- China
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Ireland
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Lebanon
- Macau
- Macedonia
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- New Zealand
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Russia
- Rwanda
- San Marino
- Singapore
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Suriname
- Thailand
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
India nationals can get a 30-day visa on arrival if they have an onward/return ticket, and a hotel booking through Discover Qatar.
Pakistan nationals can get a 30-day visa on arrival, with the option to extend for a further 30 days, if they have a return ticket, a hotel booking through Discover Qatar, and a certificate of vaccination against polio which will be presented on arrival.
Irani passport holders can also get a 30-day visa on arrival if they have a return ticket and a hotel booking through Discover Qatar.
You can find out more information about visa on arrival validity on the Visit Qatar website here.
