Qatar New Visa Rules 2023: What We Know About the New Visa Rules in Qatar
by Wego Travel
This article is reviewed regularly by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.
Updated May 2023
As of 30 January 2023, Qatar’s Ministry of Interior has announced that the Hayya card‘s validity is extended, and its holders are given permits to enter the country until January 2024 under specified conditions.
In addition, a new version of the Hayya Card has been launched to ensure a better and seamless journey to Qatar.
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Furthermore, travellers from India, Pakistan and Thailand can also obtain a free visa on arrival in Qatar, provided they meet some additional requirements. Keep reading to find out more about Qatar’s new visa rules for the year 2023.
Table of Contents
Qatar new visa rules 2023
Qatar visa health insurance
Qatar new visa on arrival rules
Qatar new visa rules for Indians, Pakistanis & Thais
Qata new Hayya Card rules
Qatar new visa rules 2023
The following are some of the new visa rules developed in Qatar for the year 2023:
Qatar visa health insurance
From 1 February 2023, visitors as well as foreign residents in Qatar will need to obtain health insurance covering the duration of their stay in the country. The mandatory insurance premium is QAR 50 per month.
Individuals applying for a visit visa through the Ministry of Interior (Qatar Visas) website or via the Metrash App, will be redirected to the website of the Ministry of Public Health where they will have to select one of the insurance companies registered with the Ministry to buy the visitors’ policy after completing the other visa requirements.
After the health insurance policy is issued by the selected insurance company, the Ministry will issue the appropriate visit visa. The effective date of coverage is the date of entry of the visitor at any border.
If any visitor wishes to extend their stay in Qatar, then they will need to buy a new insurance policy.
Qatar new visa on arrival rules
Effective 23 December, Qatar’s visa-on-arrival program has been reinstated. Visa-on-arrival is now available to travellers from 95 countries allowing tourists to travel to Qatar and take advantage of the amiable atmosphere that makes the country such a highly sought-after destination. It is advised that citizens from nationals eligible for Qatar visas on arrival have acquired health insurance in advance to speed up the process upon arrival at the country’s border.
As per the latest announcement, the validity of the Hayya card is now extended until January 2024, and its holders are allowed to use the card as an entry permit to Qatar under specified conditions.
Qatar new visa rules for Indians, Pakistanis & Thais
Travellers from India, Pakistan and Thailand can also obtain a free visa on arrival in Qatar for a maximum stay of 30 days, provided they meet some additional requirements, including:
Valid passport for at least six months
Health insurance from one of the companies registered with the Qatar Ministry of Public Health
Confirmed return tickets
Confirmed hotel reservation through the Discover Qatar website only. Please note that hotel reservations from other websites will not be accepted.
For more details regarding the Qatar visa on arrival, visit our article on Qatar Visa on Arrival 2023: Which Countries Are Eligible for Qatar Visa on Arrival?
Qata new Hayya Card rules
Recently, Qatar Tourism has launched a new version of its Hayya Platform, which will serve as a single portal for all tourist and business visas to Qatar, unifying visa processes for tourists, GCC residents and companions traveling with GCC citizens. Additionally, for those entering Qatar via land at the Abu Samra border, the Hayya Platform will provide a pre-registration option for faster entry for vehicles.
For more details about the launching of a new version of Hayya Card, please visit our article below.
