Qatar visa on arrival for Pakistanis: All you need to know

Pakistani nationals can now obtain a 30-day tourist visa on arrival in Qatar, provided they meet financial, documentation and health requirements and complete their hotel and insurance bookings before departure, according to conditions set out by Qatar’s Ministry of Interior.

The visa is valid for up to 30 days, though the permitted stay may be shorter depending on the hotel reservation. It can be extended for a further 30 days, but only if the traveller holds a confirmed return ticket.

Who is eligible and what to carry

Applicants must hold at least QR5,000 or the equivalent amount on a valid credit card, and must present a confirmed return ticket. Their passport must be valid for at least six months. Travellers arriving directly from Pakistan must also carry a polio vaccination certificate.

The visa on arrival covers tourist visits only. Business visas are granted solely through accredited companies.

Book the hotel and buy insurance before you fly

Hotel rooms must be reserved through Discover Qatar, the country’s official tourism platform, before boarding. Visitors must also buy at least one month’s health insurance, which costs QR50. QIC and QLM are among the recommended providers, and the full list of approved insurers is on the Ministry of Public Health’s website.

Once the insurance is bought, an official email containing the receipt and certificate is sent to the registered address. Both documents must be carried during travel.

What happens at Doha airport

On arrival at Hamad International Airport, visitors must first go to the Discover Qatar desk, which is located before the immigration counters. Staff there verify and stamp the documents. Travellers then proceed to immigration for entry visa processing, eye scans and biometric checks.

Embassy’s earlier warning

On March 30, the Pakistan Embassy in Doha issued a travel advisory saying the visa-on-arrival facility for Pakistani nationals was temporarily unavailable because of the prevailing situation. It advised travellers to obtain a visa before departure and cautioned that those arriving without one could face entry restrictions and inconvenience at immigration.