Qatar Visa for Indians 2023: Types, Requirements, Application *Updated December 2023*- Wego Travel Blog (2024)

This article is reviewed regularly by Wego’s editorial team

Updated December 2023

Qatar provides multiple options when it comes to obtaining a visa. Travellers from India looking to enter Qatar can generally travel visa-free for a certain period of time. However, for a longer period of stay, Indian travellers can now choose from the wide range of visas available visas and can apply for a visa hassle-free.

Keep reading to know more about the available types of Qatari visas, ranging from family visit visas, business visas, work visas and student visas, and the documents required for each type of Qatari visa.

Please note: Effective on 30 January 2023, Qatar’s Ministry of Interior has announced that Hayya card‘s validity is extended, and its holders are given permit to enter the country until January 2024 under specified conditions.

Qatar visa for Indians latest news and updates 2023

Effective on 30 January 2023, Qatar’s Ministry of Interior has announced that Hayya card‘s validity is extended, and its holders are given a permit to enter the country until January 2024 under specified conditions.

Hayya Cardholders who intend to visit the nation must present proof of a hotel reservation or other suitable lodging recognized through the online Hayya portal, along with a passport that will still be valid after arrival for at least three months. Moreover, arriving travellers are required to have a return ticket and health insurance that is valid throughout their stay in Qatar.

For Indian citizens can obtain a free visa on arrival in Qatar for a maximum stay of 30 days or according to hotel reservation and under the following conditions:

• valid passport for at least six months
• confirmed return tickets
• confirmed hotel reservation through the ‘Discover Qatar’ website only (Hotel reservations from other websites are not accepted)

Do Indian citizens need a visa for Qatar?

No, Indian citizens usually do not require a visa to enter Qatar because India is included in the list of countries eligible for the Qatar visa waiver. Indian citizens can travel visa-free to Qatar for a period of 30 days, and the visa waiver can be extended for another 30 days.

However, Indian travellers looking to stay in Qatar for a period of more than is allowed in the visa waiver will be required to apply for a Qatari visa for India.

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Types of Qatar visa for Indians

Qatar family visit visa

The Qatar family visit visa allows expatriate residents in Qatar to bring their family members to Qataron a short-term basis. The visa is mainly issued to immediate family members. However, it can now also be issued to other relatives of the expatriates.

Conditions for visiting family members

According to the Qatar Ministry of Interior’s new guidelines, there are a few conditions that need to be fulfilled by both the resident and their visiting family members in order for them to receive family visit visas. These conditions are as follows:

• The applying resident should have family accommodation duly accredited by relevant authorities.
• The applying resident should possess a minimum monthly salary of QAR 5000.
• The profession of the applying resident should be in the non-labor category.
• The visitor must possess health insurance for the period of their visit to the State of Qatar.
• The visitor must be a relative of the applying resident within the allowed degrees of relation.
• Applications must be submitted through the Metrash2 app.

Documents required

For wife and children

In case you are applying for the family visit visa for your immediate family members (wife and children), the following documents will be necessary:

• a copy of the applicant’s Qatar ID.
• a copy of the visitor’s passport
• proof of Relation (birth certificate for children and notarized marriage certificate for wife)
• no objection letter from employer citing profession and salary
• work contract
• photocopy of the company card
• round-trip flight tickets
• health insurance valid in Qatar

The minimum salary requirement to apply for a family visit visa in Qatar for children and spouse is QAR 5,000 (INR 1,11,914.87).

For newborns, the documents required include the following:

• original passport of the child,
• original birth certificate,
• photos,
• copy of residence permit for the applicant and mother’s visa

For other relatives

Please note that only married expatriates in Qatar can apply for a family visit visa to sponsor other relatives. In case you are applying for a family visit visa for other relatives, the following documents will be necessary:

• a copy of the Applicant’s Qatar ID.
• a copy of the Visitor’s Passport
• wife’s Qatar ID copy (if she is a resident)
• proof of Relation (Birth Certificate, Passport etc)
• no objection letter from employer citing profession and salary
• photocopy of the Company Card
• round Trip Flight Tickets
• health Insurance valid in Qatar

The minimum salary requirement to apply for a family visit visa in Qatar for other relatives is QR 10,000 (INR 2,23,829.74).

Business visa

Indian citizens travelling to Qatar for business purposes can apply for a Business visa to Qatar. Generally, the company or agency arranges for this type of visa on behalf of the applicant. The visa is valid for 30 days and can be extended for another 60 days.

Documents required

The following are some of the additional documents required to apply for the Qatar Business visa:

• applicants must apply for the Visa application form (Form V1).
• copy of the Qatari residence ID or permit.
• letter from the company mentioning the business purpose

Student visa

Indian nationals looking to visit Qatar to study at a Qatar university can apply for a Student visa to Qatar. However, the visa will only be granted depending on the residence permit of the applicant.

Documents required

The following are some of the additional documents required to apply for the Qatar Student visa:

• applicants must apply for the Visa application form (Form V1).
• a Qatari residence ID or permit.
• letter of admission from a recognised university
• salary certificate from the local sponsor
• educational documents, as required.

Employment visa

Indian citizens visiting Qatar for work or employment purposes can apply for a Qatar Employment visa. However, the employer must sponsor this visa for applicants who have been employed for a minimum of 2 years.

Documents required

The following are some of the additional documents required to apply for the Qatar Employment visa:

• applicants must apply for the Visa application form (Form V1).
• original and photocopy of the applicant’s Indian passport with a validity of at least 6 months.
• copy of the Qatari residence ID or permit.
• original and photocopy of educational qualification documents
• letter from the employer
• an original and photocopy of the employment contract provided by the firm, company or organization must be submitted by the applicant.

Qatar visa for Indians general requirements

• an Indian passport, valid for a minimum of six months
• two copies of the first page of a passport
• two coloured passport-size photos of the applicant
• proof of hotel reservation/accomodation
• onward and return confirmed ticket.
• a scanned copy of the detailed itinerary for the planned duration of stay including the applicant’s name mentioned on the same.
• scanned copies of bank statements of the applicant for the previous 3 months stating the applicant to be the account holder.
• a hand-written and duly signed cover letter addressed to the Embassy of Qatar stating the purpose of travel, the dates as well as the cities of travel. The place of accommodation also needs to be mentioned.
• in case the applicant is a minor, the letter must be signed by his/her guardian.

Please note that additional documents might be required depending on the type of Qatar visa applied.

How to apply for a Qatar visa for Indians?

• duly fill out the online application form on the official Qatar visa website.
• download and print the form, and make sure to personally sign the Qatar Visa Application Form.
• the form along with the above-mentioned documents should then be submitted at the nearest Embassy of Qatar
• once submitted, the application can be tracked online from the Ministry of Interior Qatar website.

Please note that the applicant can collect their passport once the visa process is completed which. It usually takes around 7-10 working days for the visa to get approved.