The Qatari government on 9 August 2017 announced that citizens belonging to 80 countries including India, Canada, US and UK can now enter Qatar without the need of applying for a visa.
The Qatari officials stated in a release that Citizens of 80 countries including India, UK, US, Canada, South Africa, Seychelles, Australia and New Zealand wishing to visit Qatar will no longer need to apply or pay for a visa.
The release further stated that the visitors from the select countries would be issued a multi-entry waiver, completely free-of-charge, at the point of entry upon presentation of a valid passport having a minimum validity of six months and a confirmed onward or return ticket.
Key Highlights
• The waiver will either be valid for 180 days or for 30 days, depending upon the nationality of the visitor, entitling the person to spend only those many days in the country.
• The visitor would however, be given a window for applying for an extension of the waiver for an additional 30 days.
• By making nationals of 80 countries eligible for a free visa waiver upon arrival, Qatar has now become the most open country in the region.
• The move aims to encourage more people to travel to the nation and discover its renowned hospitality, cultural heritage and natural treasures.
Background
In November 2016, Qatar introduced a free transit visa that allowed passengers of all nationalities transiting through the nation to stay there for a minimum of five hours up to maximum 96 hours (four days).
In May 2017, QTA and Qatar Airways launched +Qatar a package that included a free night's stay in a 5- or 4- star hotel in Doha, alongside a complimentary transit visa.
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