Qatar has announced a free tourist visa-on-arrival facility for Pakistani passport holders, allowing eligible travellers to stay in the Gulf country for up to 30 days without paying a visa fee.
According to Qatar’s Ministry of Interior, the facility is also available to citizens of India and Thailand. However, the permitted duration of stay depends on the traveller’s confirmed hotel reservation and cannot exceed 30 days.
Pakistani travellers must fulfil four mandatory requirements to qualify for the free visa-on-arrival facility.
Four requirements for Pakistani travellers
According to Qatar’s Ministry of Interior, Pakistani passport holders must meet the following conditions:
1. Passport validity: The passport must remain valid for at least three months from the date of arrival in Qatar.
2. Return ticket: Travellers must have a confirmed round-trip flight ticket.
3. Hotel reservation: Visitors must have a confirmed hotel booking made exclusively through the official Discover Qatar website. Reservations made through other hotel booking or travel websites will not be accepted.
4. Health insurance: Travellers must possess valid health insurance issued by an accredited insurance company.
How long can Pakistanis stay in Qatar?
The free visa-on-arrival facility allows eligible Pakistani travellers to stay in Qatar for a maximum of 30 days.
However, the actual permitted duration depends on the length of the confirmed hotel reservation. Travellers may receive a shorter stay if their hotel booking covers fewer than 30 days.
The visa is issued on arrival, provided travellers meet all four requirements and present the necessary documents at the entry point.
Those who fail to fulfil any of the mandatory conditions may not qualify for the free visa facility.
Earlier, Pakistani travellers faced new visa restrictions in Qatar as Doha reportedly suspended the visa-on-arrival facility, requiring visitors to apply for visas through an online portal.
According to media reports, Qatar has reportedly suspended visa-on-arrival facilities for Pakistani citizens and halted visa processing through its online portal, according to several prospective travellers.
According to media reports, the Foreign Office have also confirmed the development, although Pakistan has not yet received any formal communication from Qatari authorities regarding the reported restrictions.
