The services provided by the Consulate of the State of Qatar in the Federal Republic of Austria and the Republic of Slovenia (non-resident representation) can be divided into the following:
Visitor’s visa are issued based on the approval of the competent authorities in Doha or based on instructions of the chief of the mission.
- Before you arrive
You have made the decision to come to Qatar, so now you need to check in advance which visa is right for you. Generally, all non-Qatari or GCC citizens entering Qatar need a visa. In most cases, applying for a visa is easy and can be done online.
Qatar has visitor travel arrangements with 33 countries (see below), so for many tourists a visa will be issued on arrival. For those whose country is not on the list, a visa should be applied for ahead of your visit.
For most of those coming to live and work in Qatar, your sponsor will arrange much of the application process for you. For those arranging their own visa, the process is straightforward and provides flexibility for short- and long-term business arrangements.
- Countries that have a visa on arrival arrangement with Qatar
The United States, Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, the Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Lichtenstein, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and South Korea.
- Tourist Visa
Residents of the 33 approved countries can obtain a Tourist Visa upon arrival. The visa can be purchased for a nominal fee at the airport or port. It can also be issued online instantly prior to travel. This visa is valid for one month and cannot be extended.
Travelers from countries not mentioned above can apply for a Tourist Visa through booking with a hotel in Qatar or Qatar Airways (see below).
- Tourist Visa through Sponsor
This visa allows hotels, embassies and other authorized sponsors to arrange visas for citizens of the 33 approved countries (see above) before they arrive in the country.
- Joint Tourist Visa – for visiting Qatar and Oman
Residents of the 33 approved countries can apply, upon arrival, for a Joint Tourist Visa that allows them to travel freely between Qatar and Oman. This one-month visa can be issued online and can be extended for one month only.
- Business Visas
Business Visas allow non-Qataris to conduct business and work in the country on a temporary basis. There are two types of business visas:
- 72-hour Business Visa
This visa is issued on arrival, and is extendible for a further 72 hours. The visa is suited to those who wish to visit the country on short-term business trips. Applicants are required to carry proper documentation proving the purpose of their trip.
- Business Visa
This visa is available for new expatriate workers and persons conducting short-term contractual work in Qatar. The visa is valid for a maximum of three months, and must be arranged in advance by an approved company or institution operating in Qatar.
- Investor Visa
Expatriates who invest in selected business ventures in the country are eligible to residency without sponsorship. Applicants must obtain property ownership documents, a certificate of good behavior and have a medical check-up to qualify.
Authorized government personnel may complete the Investor Visa procedure online. More details can be found at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and the Ministry of Interior.
- GCC Resident Visit Visa
GCC residents of approved professions and those accompanying them may obtain a one-month GCC Resident Visit Visa on arrival or through a Qatari embassy. The visa is renewable for an additional three months. Applicants should carry proper documentation proving their profession.
- Family Visit Visa
Expatriate workers wishing to bring members of their family to Qatar on a short term basis (up to six months) can apply for a Family Visit Visa. The visa is valid for one month and can be extended for up to six months for immediate family members (wife, sons, daughters) and three months for other relatives. Visa holders who wish to apply for an extension must undergo a medical check.
- Family Residence Visa
Expatriate employees, who earn QR 10,000 or more a month, have completed six months of employment with their company, and wish to bring their immediate dependents to Qatar to live with them, can apply for a Family Residence Visa.
Effectively, the visa is granted under your sponsorship (assuming you have a valid Qatar ID and Residence Visa from your employer or private sponsor).
- Transit Visa
If you plan to stop over in Qatar temporarily (up to 24 hours) on your way to a destination, you should apply for a transit visa before you travel. The visa is valid for 24 hours and allows you to leave the airport transfers area to stay in Qatar.
The Transit Visa is also handy for workers whose job requires a short stay in Qatar, for example, seamen and truck drivers passing through Qatar. However, a Transit Visa is not acceptable for general business visits. Transit Visas can be arranged through your local Qatari embassy prior to travel. Embassy workers and other authorized persons can apply online for transit visas on behalf of travelers.
Other Visa Types
- Newborn Visa
Newborn babies who are less than three months old need a Newborn Visa when entering the country with his or her mother. The child should have either a passport or be included on the father or mother’s passport. Both parents should have a valid Residence Permit. A certificate of birth is also required. The visa is free.
- Education Residence Visa
If you have a place at an approved educational institution and wish to stay in Qatar during your course, you can apply for an Education Residence Visa. This type of visa is granted by the Committee Reviewing Recruitment Applications and is available from Expatriates Affairs & Unified Services Centres of the MoI. This visa is issued free of charge.
- Real Estate Visa
This is a residence visa for real estate owners and it is issued through the General Directorate of Borders Passports and Expatriates Affairs at the MoI. Required documentation includes a valid passport, letter from a relevant agency outlining the property investment, a good conduct certificate and a medical check-up. The visa costs QR200.
- Return Visa
If you, a member of your family, or a member of your household staff, have stayed out of the country for more than 6 months and your residency is still valid and you have prior approval of entry, you can purchase a Return Visa. There are different document requirements depending on who your sponsor is, details of which can be found at the MoI website here. The fee varies from QR 200 to QR 500 again depending on sponsor type.
- Return Visa (in case of Passport loss)
This visa is issued when an expatriate loses his or her passport while being outside the country. A copy of a Lost Passport Certificate, along with copies of the old and new passport, are required. The visa costs QR 200.
- Official Visa
Government ministries and approved establishments can request this visa online. The visa is free, valid for one month and can be extended for five months (total 6 months) following medical tests and fingerprints.