Planning a trip to Qatar in 2026 is more straightforward than many first-time visitors expect. Most travel now runs through the Hayya platform (hayya.qa and the “Hayya to Qatar” app), the government’s single digital gateway for visitor visas, and a large share of nationalities do not need a visa at all. This guide explains how Hayya works today, which visa suits your situation, what it costs and how to apply.
What the Hayya platform is
Hayya began as the entry system for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and has since become Qatar’s permanent portal for visitor entry permits. Through one account you can apply for a visa, register where you are staying, and manage your permit before you fly. The platform currently groups visitors into several categories, the most common being the Tourist Visa (A1), the GCC Resident Visa (A2), the Visa with ETA (A3) for residents of trusted countries, and a Companion visa (A4) for those travelling with a GCC citizen who sponsors them.
A platform upgrade rolled out in 2025 cut typical processing time to roughly one to three working days for applications that need review, and streamlined document uploads. Always treat the official Hayya portal and Visit Qatar as the authority, since eligibility lists change.
Do you even need a visa? Visa-free entry
Qatar offers visa-free entry to well over 100 nationalities, so check your status before paying for anything. Citizens of the other five GCC states, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, need no visa at all and enter with national ID or passport.
For everyone else, visa-free access is split into two broad duration bands:
- Up to 90 days: a group of roughly 40 nationalities, mostly European states plus countries such as the United States, Brazil and South Korea. The waiver generally allows up to 90 days of stay within a 180-day window, on single or multiple visits.
- Up to 30 days: a group of around 35 nationalities including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, China, Singapore and New Zealand. This stay is usually extendable by a further 30 days.
Under visa-free entry your passport must be valid for at least three months from your date of arrival, per Visit Qatar. Some airlines still advise six months’ validity to be safe, so confirm with your carrier. US citizens are a special case: they receive a multiple-entry facility valid for up to two years (or until the passport expires), with individual stays of up to 90 days.
Visa on arrival and mandatory hotel booking
Many of the visa-free nationalities above effectively receive their entry permit as a visa waiver on arrival at Hamad International Airport at no charge, provided they meet passport and onward-ticket conditions. Separately, a paid visa-on-arrival option exists for some travellers for QAR 100.
A key detail for 2026: nationals of India, Iran and Thailand must book a Discover Qatar visa-on-arrival hotel package before travelling in order to use visa on arrival. Visa-on-arrival for some other nationalities has been temporarily suspended and adjusted during the year, so travellers from countries such as Pakistan and Lebanon should verify their current status on the official channels rather than assume. If you plan to work rather than visit, the entry route is entirely different and is covered in our guide to working in Qatar.
The Hayya A1 tourist visa
If your nationality is not visa-free, the Hayya A1 tourist visa is the standard route. It is issued online through Hayya for a fee of QAR 100 (roughly USD 27) and typically permits a stay of up to 30 days, extendable by a further 30 days. It suits leisure travel, family visits, events and short business trips.
You apply from anywhere in the world. Required documents generally include:
- A passport valid for the required period from your arrival date
- A recent colour passport photo on a white background
- A confirmed return or onward flight ticket
- Proof of accommodation, either a hotel booking or host registration through Hayya
GCC residents: the Hayya A2 visa
Expatriates who live in another GCC country but are not GCC citizens can apply for the Hayya A2 GCC Resident Visa. Eligibility is based on your GCC residency, not your passport nationality. The fee is QAR 100. Following an update that took effect on 30 November 2025, the A2 is valid for 30 days and extendable for up to two additional months, with multiple-entry access, making it much easier to travel in and out for sporting, cultural and entertainment events across the season.
Residents of countries such as the UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or the Schengen area who do not qualify visa-free may instead use the Visa with ETA (A3), an electronic travel authorisation also priced at QAR 100 that relies on your existing residence or visa from a trusted country.
How to apply on Hayya, step by step
- Create an account on hayya.qa or in the Hayya to Qatar app with your name and email.
- Choose your visa category (A1, A2, A3 or Companion) based on the situations above.
- Enter your personal and travel details and upload your passport, photo and supporting documents.
- Register your accommodation, either a hotel booking or a host address.
- Pay the fee where applicable and submit. Approval usually arrives within one to three working days for reviewed applications.
Once you land and settle in, it helps to understand day-to-day essentials. Our guides to living in Doha and getting around on the Doha Metro cover costs, neighbourhoods and transport for new arrivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Qatar tourist visa cost in 2026?
The Hayya A1 tourist visa costs QAR 100, roughly USD 27, applied for online through the Hayya platform. The GCC Resident (A2) and ETA (A3) visas are also QAR 100 each. Many visa-free nationalities pay nothing on arrival.
How long can I stay in Qatar as a tourist?
It depends on your route. Visa-free nationalities get either up to 90 days (within a 180-day window) or up to 30 days extendable by 30, depending on the country list. The Hayya A1 tourist visa typically allows 30 days, extendable by a further 30.
Do all visitors need to apply through Hayya before arriving?
No. GCC citizens and many visa-free nationalities can enter without applying in advance. Others need a Hayya visa or an eligible visa on arrival, and travellers from India, Iran and Thailand must pre-book a Discover Qatar hotel package to use visa on arrival. Always confirm your status on the official Hayya or Visit Qatar sites before booking.
