Booking a Qatar trip without checking the visa fee first often leads to surprise charges at the airport or a rejected Hayya application. Fees change by nationality, visa type, and entry method. This price list covers every cost travelers face in 2026.
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How Much Does a Qatar Tourist Visa Cost?
Most short-stay visas processed through the Hayya platform cost QAR 100, roughly USD 27. The platform itself charges nothing to browse or register; the fee only applies once an entry visa gets approved.
Four visa categories share this QAR 100 rate. Why group four different traveler types under one price? The Ministry of Interior (MOI) keeps the fee structure simple to speed up processing across the board.
A1 Tourist Entry Visa. This covers general tourists who do not qualify for visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry. It allows stays up to 30 days.
A2 GCC Resident Entry Visa. Expatriate residents living in a GCC country pay the same QAR 100 fee to enter Qatar.
A3 Entry Visa with ETA. Travelers holding a valid US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or Schengen visa or residence permit qualify for this category.
A4 Companion of GCC Citizen. Anyone traveling alongside a GCC national pays QAR 100 under this classification.
Pakistani applicants pay the equivalent of roughly PKR 7,600 to 7,660 for the A1 tourist visa, based on current exchange rates.
Which Nationalities Enter Qatar for Free?
Several nationalities avoid visa fees entirely. Indian citizens receive a free visa on arrival for stays up to 30 days. Emirati nationals enter under standard GCC visa-free arrangements. Most other visa-on-arrival eligible countries also pay nothing at the border.
That said, this changed for two nationalities in April 2026. Pakistani and Lebanese travelers lost visa-on-arrival access due to regional security conditions. Both nationalities must now obtain a pre-approved Hayya visa before departure, rather than applying at the airport.
What Does It Cost to Extend a Qatar Visa?
Extension fees depend on the original visa type and the length of the extension requested.
- Tourist or GCC Resident Visa (A2): QAR 100 covers up to 30 additional days. Qatar limited this extension to a single renewal starting in 2025.
- Family Visit Visa: QAR 200 per month, plus an added QAR 50 per month for each registered companion.
- Long-Term Family Stay (3 to 6 months): QAR 500 covers the extended period, higher than the standard monthly rate.
- GCC Resident Visa: QAR 100 for a fixed 30-day extension, also limited to one renewal.
Sponsors and applicants can track extension status through Metrash2, the MOI’s official app, rather than waiting on Hayya alone.
What Happens If You Overstay a Qatar Visa?
Overstaying triggers a daily fine of QAR 200, charged for every day beyond the visa’s validity period. The maximum penalty caps at QAR 12,000, regardless of how long the overstay continues.
What happens once that deadline actually passes? The Search and Follow-Up Department begins tracking the case, and the fine accrues automatically from day one.
Qatar suspended its automatic visa extension system in 2026. Travelers can no longer count on a grace period. Anyone approaching their visa expiry date must either leave the country or file for an extension before the deadline, or the daily charges will keep adding up until departure.
How Much Is Mandatory Health Insurance?
Every non-GCC citizen must buy visitor health insurance before Qatar finalizes the Hayya permit. The Ministry of Public Health sets a fixed rate of QAR 50 per month for standard coverage. Approved private providers also offer optional premium plans at the same monthly rate.
Payment happens directly through the Hayya portal or through one of the approved insurance providers listed there. Qatar will not issue the visa until this payment clears, so skipping it only delays the trip.
What Do Long-Term Qatar Visas Cost?
Work and business visa costs vary far more than short-stay fees, since they depend on sponsorship type and home country.
Pakistani applicants seeking employment face two common all-inclusive packages: a Labor Job Package priced around PKR 700,000, and a two-year Open Permit priced around PKR 650,000. These packages typically bundle government processing charges, medical testing, and administrative fees into one total.
A business visa costs QAR 500, equivalent to roughly USD 140 or PKR 38,000. A Qatari company must sponsor this visa category, acting as kafeel, before an applicant can submit paperwork.
Qatar also offers investor, family, student, and startup visa categories. Fees for these vary by sponsor and individual case, so applicants should confirm exact costs through the MOI portal or Hukoomi, Qatar’s central government services site.
Qatar Visa Fee Summary Table
| Visa Category | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hayya A1 Tourist e-Visa | QAR 100 | 30-day stay |
| Hayya A2 GCC Resident | QAR 100 | GCC expatriates |
| Business Visa | QAR 500 | Company sponsored |
| Family Visit Visa | QAR 200 | 30-day duration |
| Health Insurance | QAR 50/month | Mandatory, non-GCC |
| Overstay Fine | QAR 200/day | Capped at QAR 12,000 |
What Other Costs Should Travelers Budget For?
Third-party agencies charge processing fees on top of government rates. A Qatar e-visa booked through a UAE agency costs around AED 450, while a full visit visa package runs closer to AED 850. Passport photos add roughly Rs 100 to Rs 200, and optional travel insurance ranges from Rs 500 to Rs 2,000.
Processing speed also affects planning. A standard Hayya tourist visa clears within 24 to 72 hours, while UAE agency applications take 5 to 6 working days.
Key Policy Changes for 2026
Qatar suspended its temporary automatic visa extension system, requiring travelers to apply for extensions through the standard process and pay applicable fees. All non-GCC citizens must now purchase QAR 50 monthly MOPH insurance through the Hayya portal before visa issuance. Pakistani and Lebanese nationals lost visa-on-arrival access, while Indian citizens retain their free 30-day benefit.
Conclusion
Qatar’s 2026 visa fees stay predictable for most travelers: QAR 100 covers standard tourist entry, QAR 200 covers a family visit visa, and QAR 50 monthly covers mandatory health insurance. Before booking, check the exact fee for your nationality on the Hayya portal and confirm whether your visa type qualifies for the once-only extension, since applying too late means paying the full daily overstay fine instead.
FAQs
How much is a Qatar tourist visa in 2026?
The standard Hayya A1 tourist visa costs QAR 100, roughly USD 27, for stays up to 30 days. This fee does not include the separate QAR 50 monthly health insurance charge.
Do Indian citizens need to pay for a Qatar visa?
No. Indian citizens receive a free visa on arrival for stays up to 30 days, though they still must arrange the mandatory health insurance separately through Hayya.
How much does it cost to extend a Qatar visa?
Tourist and GCC resident visas cost QAR 100 to extend, while family visit visas cost QAR 200 per month plus QAR 50 per companion. Sponsors can track extension status through Metrash2.
What is the penalty for overstaying a Qatar visa?
Overstaying costs QAR 200 per day, capped at QAR 12,000. The Search and Follow-Up Department monitors these cases once a visa passes its expiry date.
Is health insurance required for a Qatar visa?
Yes. All non-GCC citizens must purchase QAR 50 monthly health insurance through the Hayya portal, and Qatar withholds the visa until payment clears.
Can Pakistani nationals still get a Qatar visa on arrival?
No. As of April 2026, Pakistani and Lebanese nationals need a pre-approved Hayya visa before travel due to regional security conditions, unlike Indian nationals who remain unaffected.
Khalid Al-Rasheed is a Qatar-based blogger who simplifies the Qatar visa check process for expats and travelers. He shares clear, up-to-date guides on checking visa status online, approvals, and residency in Qatar.