Except for foreign nationals who enjoy visa-free entry, all travelers are required to have a travel document to enter Qatar. Foreigners can either get a traditional paper or stamp visa or apply for an electronic visa. Compared to a regular Qatar visa, getting an e-visa is undoubtedly a better option!
Most foreign citizens prefer the Qatar e-visa, as applying for this document is both fast and convenient. You don’t have to visit the Qatar embassy or consulate. Plus, you don’t even have to schedule a visa interview!
Types of Qatar e-Visas to Apply Online
In 2017, the Qatar government started the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) program. It is an online Qatar electronic visa system established to make the visa application process streamlined. Qatar offers different types of e-visas for different purposes, such as:
Tourist Visa
If you want to visit Qatar for tourism and business purposes, you can apply for a Qatar tourist visa. A holder of a tourist e-visa can visit the country to:
Meet with friends or family members
Explore the country
Spend vacations in Qatar
This travel document is a single-entry visa that allows a holder to stay in the country for 30 days.
Official Visa
Official passport holders can also apply for an official e-visa. It is a multiple-entry visa that allows a holder to stay in the country for 30 consecutive days within a 12-month period.
To get an official e-visa, you're required to have a letter from the Department of State, agency, or sending department addressed to the Embassy of Qatar located in your country. Also, make sure your letter contains the applicant's name and passport number!
Work Visa
The government of Qatar also offers work visas to foreign nationals. It is a multiple-entry visa that allows a holder to stay in Qatar for 180 days. To get your work visa, you'll need a few documents, including:
A letter from the Department of Defense
Company's access request form
Valid residence permit
Military service record
Business letter
You can visit VisaHQ to find out all the visa requirements for your country. From the website, you can even find sample formats for different letters and documents.
Required Documents for Qatar e-Visa
Before you apply for a Qatar visa online, you are required to have some documents. Unlike a traditional visa, you can apply for an e-visa with a handful of documents. 3 of the most basic documents that you need to apply for an e-visa include:
Valid Passport - First of all, make sure your passport has at least 6 months of validity remaining with at least 2 blank pages. This is because if your passport expires, the visa will automatically expire!
Means of Payment - You'll need to pay the Qatar embassy fee and visa service fee to get an e-visa. As this entire process is streamlined, you'll need an online payment method, such as a debit card or a credit card!
E-mail Address - Lastly, you must have a valid email address to apply for an e-visa. Your email will be electronically linked to your passport. Upon approval, you'll receive your travel documents via email. So, make sure you are using a valid and working email.
Besides these, you might need a few additional documents depending on your citizenship. You can visit VisaHQ to check out all the visa and entry requirements for Qatar online visa for your country!
Qatar e-Visa Application Process
Most people prefer an e-visa over a traditional travel document. This is because applying for a Qatar electronic visa is a straightforward process. You don’t need to visit the embassy or waste any time. All you need to do is follow three simple steps:
Fill out the online Qatar visa application form
Pay the visa fee
Submit your application with supporting documents
Afterward, you'll get your e-visa via email! To fill out the visa application form, you'll need to provide personal, contact, passport, and travel details, including:
Full name
Date of birth
Nationality
Phone number
Email address
Passport number
Passport issue and expiry date
Travel date
While completing the Qatar visit visa application form, you need to be extra careful. If there are issues with your application form, your e-visa will be delayed or denied.
Processing Time
Once you submit your application, you'll need to wait for a few days. As Qatar offers different types of travel documents, the processing time also varies. While an official visa can be obtained within 7 business days, an applicant might need to wait for up to 60 days to get a work visa.
Alternatively, the average processing time for an online tourist visa is around 3-5 business days. However, it's recommended to apply at least 2 weeks prior to the departure date to avoid problems!