Qatar Tourism has upgraded the **Hayya A2 GCC Resident Visa**, allowing holders—including the roughly 850,000 Indians living across Gulf states—to stay up to **60 days** with unlimited re-entries from 30 November. The change, announced on 29 November, is timed to entice visitors for the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup and a packed winter events calendar.
Previously capped at 30 days, the visa now offers extended flexibility for Indian executives posted in Dubai, Riyadh or Muscat who frequently hop to Doha for client meetings or site inspections. Multiple entry eliminates the need to re-apply when travellers exit for a weekend in Bahrain and return for match day.
![Qatar lengthens stay for GCC-resident Indians with new 2-month Hayya visa ahead of FIFA Arab Cup]()
To apply, residents still need a valid UAE, Saudi or other GCC residency of at least three months and must upload proof of accommodation. Fees remain QR 100 (≈ ₹2,300). Processing continues through the Hayya portal, which also integrates ticket validation for stadium entry—a legacy of the 2022 FIFA World Cup digital infrastructure.
Indian companies with regional headquarters in the Gulf should reassess travel policies: per-diem budgets may shrink if staff choose to base in Doha for longer stints, while insurance providers must confirm 60-day coverage. Freight forwarders expect the eased rules to aid crew changes at Hamad Port, a popular routing point for Indian seafarers.
Analysts note that Qatar’s visa liberalisation contrasts with Iran’s recent cancellation of its visa waiver for Indians, underscoring divergent mobility policies in West Asia. Mobility managers are advised to keep a close eye on Hayya system updates and stadium-linked blackout dates, when entry quotas may apply.
Previously capped at 30 days, the visa now offers extended flexibility for Indian executives posted in Dubai, Riyadh or Muscat who frequently hop to Doha for client meetings or site inspections. Multiple entry eliminates the need to re-apply when travellers exit for a weekend in Bahrain and return for match day.
To apply, residents still need a valid UAE, Saudi or other GCC residency of at least three months and must upload proof of accommodation. Fees remain QR 100 (≈ ₹2,300). Processing continues through the Hayya portal, which also integrates ticket validation for stadium entry—a legacy of the 2022 FIFA World Cup digital infrastructure.
Indian companies with regional headquarters in the Gulf should reassess travel policies: per-diem budgets may shrink if staff choose to base in Doha for longer stints, while insurance providers must confirm 60-day coverage. Freight forwarders expect the eased rules to aid crew changes at Hamad Port, a popular routing point for Indian seafarers.
Analysts note that Qatar’s visa liberalisation contrasts with Iran’s recent cancellation of its visa waiver for Indians, underscoring divergent mobility policies in West Asia. Mobility managers are advised to keep a close eye on Hayya system updates and stadium-linked blackout dates, when entry quotas may apply.
