In a bid to attract travellers to Qatar, travellers from the below-listed countries can now visit Qatar without a visa.
This exemption program was announced on Wednesday by Qatar Ministry of Interior, the Qatar Tourism Authority and Qatar Airways. The visa free program means that there is no need for visa application and visa fee for the affected travellers. At the point of entry, citizens from these 80 nations will be given a multi-entry waiver after showing their passport and a return ticket. The passport must be valid for six months before the traveller will be allowed to enter.
“Qatar is now visa-free for over 80 countries around the world,” says Group Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker of state-owned Qatar Airways.
“The change, which is effective immediately with no paperwork, no payment, and no visas,” Baker said
“Qatar is the most open country in the region. While some countries in the region have taken to closing their skies and their borders, Qatar has instead opened its borders to more freely welcoming visitors from all corners of the world and the change reflects Qatar’s outlook at “a historic time,” Baker added
The affected countries are divided into two groups – some will spend 90 days while some are 30 days with an option to renew after 30days.
Here are the 33 nations whose citizens can stay in Qatar for up to 90 days without a visa, No application, No fee and No paper work. Within the 90 days, the traveller can leave and enter Qatar as many times as they want.
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Seychelles
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
And here are the 47 countries whose citizens can spend up to 30 days in Qatar without a visa, No Paper work, and No application. After the first 30 days, the traveller and apply for an extension for 30 more days.
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Australia
- Belarus
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Panama
- Costa Rica
- Georgia
- Guyana
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Lebanon
- Azerbaijan
- Macedonia
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Russia
- San Marino
- Singapore
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Suriname
- Cuba
- Thailand
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
Recall that the nation’s national carrier, Qatar Airways started a stopover program which is aimed at allowing travellers to spend more time in the country. The stopover program offers a free transit visa and a luxury hotel.
