Now visa to Qatar is absolutely free. To be precise, the citizens of 80 countries do not require visa to Qatar. In a surprisingly strategic move, Qatar announced visa-free entry for the nationals of 80 countries, including India, the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and Singapore. Those taking flights from USA to India via Doha are supposed to benefit from Qatar’s visa free entry program.
In November 2016, Qatar announced 4-day free transit visa, on certain conditions, for a stay of 5 to 96 hours at any point of entry in the country. But the free transit visa to Qatar was available only to the international passengers of Qatar Airways flights until visa-free entry was announced yesterday for all irrespective of which airlines they would travel on to and from the selected 80 countries.
The eligibility criteria for visa-free entry to Qatar are minimum six-month validity of passports and a confirmed onward or return flight ticket. On complying with these terms of Qatar’s visa free entry program, the citizens of 80 countries including India and United States can even avail a multi-entry visa for free at the port of entry. Travelers may be issued a visa waiver for 30 to 180 days, depending on their country of origin.
India, USA, Singapore, the UK and Japan are among the 47 countries whose citizens are eligible for a free multi-entry visa to Qatar for 30 days from the date of issuance. They will be able to stay in Qatar up to 30 days, which may be extended for another 30 days. Citizens of the rest 33 countries including European countries will be issued 180-day valid multi-visa waiver which entitles them to a stay up to 90 days in Qatar.
Also Check Reasons to Book Qatar Airways Flights
Visa free entry to Qatar for a transit layover or long holiday is good for those flying through Qatar frequently. Doha’s Hamad International Airport is the main stopover for Qatar Airways operating transit and connecting flights on several major routes between USA and India. Travelers on US-India flights via Doha do no longer require prior visa arrangements to visit Qatar.
Visa free entry to Qatar is another step in continuation of the government’s tourism development program. In May 2017, Qatar Tourism introduced a program to provide Qatar Airways’ transit passengers with free one-night stay at a luxury hotel in Doha.
