qatar travel gov

NOTICE October 16, 2024

Crisis support for u.s. citizens in lebanon, security alert october 24, 2024, worldwide caution.

Travel Advisories |
Contact Us |
MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Share this page:

Qatar Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 13, 2023, qatar - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in Qatar.

Due to risks to civil aviation operating within the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman region, including Qatar, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an advisory Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). For more information U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices .

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Qatar.

If you decide to travel to Qatar:

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
Follow the U.S. Embassy in Qatar on Facebook and Twitter .
Review the Country Security Report for Qatar.
Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist .

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, search for travel advisories, external link.

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

Qatar is welcoming 102 countries visa-free, check your visa status here .

Visit Qatar App Explore things to do in Qatar!

Get eVisa info

Select your language

Visa information

Visa-free entry or Hayya e-visa

Qatar is one of the world's most welcoming countries for visitors. Chances are that you probably don’t need a visa. Nationalities from 102 countries can enter visa-free, and all others can apply for an e-visa using the Hayya platform online.

What visa do I need to travel to Qatar?

Enter visa-free

Enter visa-free as GCC citizen.

Visa required

Apply for an A2 Entry Visa on the Hayya portal.

Visa on Arrival, Discover Qatar Hotel reservation required

Book your (visa-on-arrival eligible) hotel stay on Discover Qatar before you travel; and pay your Visa fee (QAR 100) at the airport. Or apply online in advance for Hayya A2 visa.

Visa on arrival

Get your visa on arrival for a fee (QAR 100) at the airport.Alternatively, apply for your Hayya visa online – choose A2 visa.

Visa on arrival, Discover Qatar Hotel reservation required

Book your Discover Qatar accommodation before travel to get your visa on arrival, alternatively, you can apply online for a Hayya A2 Entry Visa in advance.

The visitor's passport must be valid for at least three months from the date of arrival in Qatar and must hold a confirmed hotel booking on arrival.

Apply for an A3 Entry Visa on the Hayya portal.

Book your (visa-on-arrival eligible) hotel stay on Discover Qatar before you travel; and pay your Visa fee (QAR 100) at the airport. Or apply online in advance for Hayya A3 visa.

Get your visa on arrival for a fee (QAR 100) at the airport.

Alternatively, apply for your Hayya visa online – choose A3 visa.

Book your Discover Qatar accommodation before travel to get your visa on arrival, alternatively, you can apply online for a Hayya A3 Entry Visa in advance..

Confirmed round ticket is required. The visitor's passport must be valid for at least three months from the date of arrival in Qatar.

Effective October 1, 2024, US citizens will be granted 90-days visa-free travel to the State of Qatar. A fee of USD 21 will be levied.

Apply for an A1 Entry Visa on the Hayya portal. You will also require a Discover Qatar hotel reservation during the application process.

Once your visa is approved you will be asked to pay the visa fee.

Get your visa on arrival for a fee (QAR 100) at the airport. Alternatively, apply for your Hayya visa online – choose A1 visa.

Book your (visa-on-arrival eligible) hotel stay on Discover Qatar before you travel; and pay your Visa fee (QAR 100) at the airport. Or apply online in advance for Hayya A1 visa.

Enter visa-free or get easy access with Hayya

Enter visa-free OR apply now for a Hayya A1 Entry Visa.

The visitor's passport must be valid for at least three months from the date of arrival in Qatar.

Book Discover Qatar accommodation before you travel to get your Entry Visa on arrival.

Book your Visa on Arrival hotel on the Discover Qatar website before you travel.

Then, you can either get your Entry Visa at the airport OR apply now for a Hayya A1 Entry Visa and skip the paperwork when you land.

Need an e-visa?

The Hayya platform makes visa processes easier for all foreign visitors. This, includes the residents of countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council travelling with companions.

1. Register

Go to www.hayya.qa or download the app to register

2. Upload documents

Upload the documents listed for your visa

3. Submit your application

We'll notify you as soon as your e-visa is approved

4. Pay the fee

Pay the fee and receive your e-visa on your device

5. Welcome to Qatar!

Experience the holiday of a lifetime in Qatar

About Hayya

Check how to apply for each type of visa

Download the Hayya e-visa app

Frequently asked questions about Qatar visas

Mandatory health insurance.

We recommend all travellers visiting the State of Qatar to have a valid health insurance policy covering Qatar's medical facilities. Those who don’t already have an insurance policy are welcome to purchase one on arrival in the State of Qatar. For more information on travel insurance, click here .

Visa-free entry

Visa-free entry is now the new term defining previously “visa on arrival”. Nothing changed except the name.

Qatar-Oman Joint Tourist Visa

This visa is issued upon arrival and is valid for 30 days for the State of Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman. It allows for multiple entry to both countries and is extendable for an additional 30 days for a fee. Citizens of the following countries are eligible for the joint visa:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City

Qatar Transit Visa

Qatar Airways passengers transiting in Hamad International Airport for a minimum of 5 hours, who do not qualify for visa-free entry, can apply for a Transit Visa valid for up to 96 hours (4 days) at the Discover Qatar Transit Desk at HIA.

For more information about Qatar Transit Visa and Tours, please click here .

For travellers looking to stay a little longer than 96 hours, please see your options for a Stopover in Qatar .

Is it your first time visiting Qatar?

Qatar is ready to welcome you, so find all of the info you need to make the most of your stay.

How to get here

Hamad International Airport

Things to know before travelling.

Want to travel visa-free? Check if you qualify here.

Getting here

Planning your trip to Qatar? Check how to get here.

Travel tips

Make the most of your visit with our handy travel guide.

Getting around

From a dhow boat to our world-class metro, here’s how to easily explore Qatar.

Latest edition

Media Centre
Terms & conditions
Privacy notice
Corporate website
Amiri Diwan
Cookie policy
Qatar Tourism brand logos
Subscribe to our newsletter
Cookie settings

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Entry requirements

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Qatar’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Qatar set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact Qatar’s embassy in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

Countries may restrict travel or bring in rules at short notice. Check with your travel company or airline for changes.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to stay where you are until you test negative. You may also need to seek treatment there.

Visit TravelHealthPro (from the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre) for general COVID-19 advice for travellers .

Travel to Qatar

There is information about Qatar’s COVID-19 travel and return policy on Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health website .

You may need to have thermal screening or temperature checks when you arrive in Qatar at air, land or sea ports.

If you are intending to stay in Qatar for 30 or more days, you must get health insurance before travelling. You must buy an insurance policy from a registered Ministry of Public Health insurance provider (MOPH).

All visitors are advised to get travel insurance before entering Qatar. For more guidance see the MOPH website.

The standard insurance premium is 50 Qatari riyals per person, per month.

Public spaces and travel within Qatar

Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health has published advice on how to limit the spread of coronavirus .

You must wear face masks on public transport, and to enter healthcare facilities.

To enter any public and private healthcare facility, you must present your COVID-19 healthcare status via the Ehteraz app, available from the apple app store or the google playstore .

If you break the rules, punishments could include a fine of up to 200,000 Qatari riyal or a prison sentence of up to 3 years.

Passport validity requirements

If you are visiting Qatar, your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive.

If you are a resident of Qatar, your passport must be valid when you arrive.

Visa requirements

You can get a tourist visa on arrival if you’re travelling on a full British Citizen passport.

You must still get a visa if:

you’re travelling for any purpose other than tourism
you hold another type of British passport

If you need to stay longer than 30 days, you must extend your visa waiver before it expires through the Qatar Ministry of Interior . If you do not do this, you may be fined. The fine must be paid before leaving Qatar.

There is more information on visa requirements and extensions on the Qatar Ministry of Interior website .

Vaccine requirements

To enter Qatar, you must have certificates to prove you’ve had:

a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk
a polio vaccination in some circumstances

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro .

Customs rules

There are strict rules about what goods you can take into and out of Qatar. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Importing drugs, alcohol, pornography, pork products and religious books and material into Qatar is illegal. All luggage is scanned as you enter the country. DVDs and videos may be examined, censored and confiscated.

Qatar law also prohibits the importation, sale and purchase of electronic cigarettes, liquids and other similar products (e.g. electronic shisha pipes). The law applies regardless of quantity and intended use. Customs officials may seize and confiscate any such items found entering the country by any means, including in passengers’ luggage or sent by post.

If you are taking money, precious metals and stones into or out of Qatar which are worth more than 50,000 Qatari riyals, you must complete a declaration form. This includes:

currency – Qatari riyal or foreign currencies
financial bearer negotiable instruments – such as travellers cheques, money orders, cheques, promissory notes (including those endorsed without restriction, incomplete, payable to a fictitious payee or signed but without the payee’s name)
precious metals – such as gold, silver, platinum
precious stones – such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, pearls

You must also give customs officials any other information they request.

If you break these rules, you could be fined or imprisoned, as well as the funds being seized.

Transiting through Qatar

At the airport, all bags are scanned. Transiting passengers carrying even residual amounts of drugs may be arrested. This includes medication which may be legal in other countries, but not in Qatar. See bringing medication into Qatar

Travellers cannot stay in the transit area for more than 24 hours between flights, even if you are using the transit hotel in the airport.

There is more information about transiting through Qatar on the Hamad International Airport website .

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab) .