Qatar visa rules are changing quickly this year, and many websites give outdated or conflicting information. Confirm the final details on the official Hayya/MOI portal or with the Embassy of Qatar in Islamabad before paying anyone or booking flights.
The key fact: no visa on arrival for now
On 31 March 2026, Qatar suspended the visa-on-arrival facility for Pakistani nationals with immediate effect, and Pakistanis must now secure an appropriate visa before departure. The Embassy of Pakistan in Doha confirmed the change and said it was temporary and linked to the regional situation, with no timeline for resumption.
A more recent report from about three weeks ago says applicants have complained of significant delays in approvals. Pakistan’s Foreign Office rejected reports of a visa ban, saying countries set visa policy in their own interest. Airlines reportedly check for approval at check-in, and a Pakistani passport holder without a pre-approved Hayya visa can be denied boarding at the check-in counter.
Which visa do you need?
| Purpose | Route | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism (A1 visa) | Hayya portal | You |
| Family visit | Sponsor in Qatar applies through MOI | Usually the sponsor |
| Business visit | Hayya or company invitation | You or the company |
| Work | Qatari employer applies for the work permit | Employer |
| Transit | Under 5 hours in the secure transit area needs no visa | Free |
Route 1: Tourist visa through Hayya
Documents (typically):
- Passport valid for at least 6 months, with blank pages
- Colour scan of the passport data page
- A recent passport-style photo meeting the portal’s specifications
- Hotel booking through the Discover Qatar platform (for previous visa-on-arrival rules this was mandatory, and Hayya applications generally need confirmed accommodation too)
- Return ticket
- Polio vaccination certificate (reported as mandatory for Pakistani travellers)
- Proof of funds. One source says Pakistani, Indian, Iranian and Thai nationals must show a valid credit card or a bank statement with a minimum balance of QAR 5,000.
Steps:
- Book accommodation through Discover Qatar.
- Create an account on the Hayya platform and select the tourist (A1) category.
- Enter your travel details and upload your documents.
- Pay the fee online.
- Wait for approval and print the e-visa.
Processing is reported as typically 48 to 72 hours, but given the current delays, apply well ahead of your flight.
Costs
Official government fee:
- Hayya A1 tourist visa: QAR 100, about PKR 7,600 at the time of that report. Check the exchange rate on the day you pay.
- A one-year multiple-entry non-tourist visa is reported at QAR 440 (about PKR 34,000).
Agent prices: Travel agencies in Pakistan quote higher totals. One agency lists PKR 8,000 to 12,000 for a tourist visa up to 30 days, and up to PKR 15,000 for family visits and PKR 18,000 for business visas. These include agency service fees on top of the QAR 100 government fee. You can apply yourself on the official portal and avoid the markup.
Realistic total trip budget (you work out the numbers):
- Visa fee (QAR 100 ≈ PKR 7,600+)
- Return flight from Pakistan
- Hotel booked through Discover Qatar
- Daily spending money, plus enough balance to meet the proof-of-funds rule
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Agent fee, if you use one
Route 2: Work visa
If you are going for a job, the process is employer-led:
- The Qatari employer applies for your work permit and entry visa. The government fees for the work permit, entry visa, medical and QID are the employer’s responsibility.
- The annual work permit fee for private-sector workers is QAR 100 under the September 2025 Ministry of Labour fee schedule, paid by the employer.
- Use only BEOE-licensed recruitment agencies, which you can verify on beoe.gov.pk. Qatari law prohibits charging recruitment fees to workers, so an agent demanding a “visa fee” from you is a red flag.
Protector stamp (Pakistan-side cost): if you travel on a work visa, your passport needs a Protector stamp from the Protector of Emigrants. It is not needed for visit, tourist, business, student, Hajj or Umrah visas. The cost combines insurance, the OPF welfare fund, registration and an OEC fee. A December 2023 report put the total at Rs 7,200, but fees have changed since, and I couldn’t confirm the current figure. Check the BEOE website. The Bureau also denied rumours that the online E-Protector would become mandatory from 1 February 2026.
Extension and refusal
- Tourist visas have traditionally been extendable for another 30 days through the MOI portal or an immigration office before expiry, though I’d confirm this is still offered under the current rules.
- If refused, find out why before reapplying. Repeated applications without fixing the problem can hurt your chances.
Avoid these mistakes
- Don’t trust “visa on arrival” or “visa-free” claims. Some sites still say Pakistanis need no visa or can get one at the airport. These contradict the March 2026 suspension.
- Don’t pay for “guaranteed” visas. Use the official portal or a licensed agent, and keep receipts.
- Don’t pay recruiters for a work visa.
- Match names and passport details exactly across your passport, ticket, hotel booking and visa.
- Apply early. Delays are being reported.
Official sources to check
- Hayya/MOI portal: portal.moi.gov.qa
- Embassy of Qatar in Islamabad and Embassy of Pakistan in Doha
- BEOE: beoe.gov.pk (for work visas and the Protector stamp)
