Qatar shares an affable relationship not only with India but with many other countries. People from all parts of the world wish to visit or settle in this fast-growing country either to build their career or experience growth. No matter why, you will only be allowed to stay here after acquiring a visa for Qatar. However, to acquire one, you will need travel insurance. Applicable from May 2022, every foreigner, including Indians, must hold valid medical insurance to enter Qatar. If you are interested in knowing more, then read this article.

It highlights the essential details about the Qatar visa that every Indian citizen should know if they plan to visit this country.

Yes. Indians can avail visa on arrival facility, which remains valid for up to 30 days. Indians can further extend this validity for another 30 days. One can acquire this visa after meeting certain eligibility criteria.

Moreover, Indians can get a visa waiver on their arrival in Qatar. This is valid for 180 days from its date of issuance. However, the holder will be allowed a maximum stay of 90 days, either during multiple or single trips.

There are multiple types of visas in Qatar that Indians can apply for depending on their purpose of travel:

• Business Visa: Indians visiting Qatar for business or work-related purposes can apply for this visa. Usually, an agency or company arranges this visa on behalf of the individual who will travel.
• Transit Visa: If Indian citizens travel to other countries through Qatar, they need to apply for this pre-approved transit visa. This visa permits single entry and remains valid for 96 hours. Individuals must enter Qatar with the approved transit visa within 30 days of its issuance. Additionally, note that Indian travellers do not need to apply for a transit visa for Qatar if they are changing flights.
• Work Visa: Indians visiting Qatar for employment or work purposes can apply for a work visa. Employers sponsor this visa for applicants working in an organisation for at least 2 years. Additionally, the visitor needs to undergo a health checkup before travelling to Qatar with this type of visa.
• Student Visa (F1): Indians willing to study at Qatar University can apply for this visa and travel to Qatar to fulfil their dreams. The concerned institute admits the visa holder only on the basis of a residence permit.
• Tourist Visa: Indians can apply for this visa when visiting Qatar for recreational or vacation purposes. This visa is available as an e-visa, which one can apply for online. Its validity ranges between 1 month to 6 months from its date of issuance.
• Family Visa: Expats residing in Qatar can sponsor the visa for their family members so that the latter can stay with them.
• GCC Resident Visa: This kind of visa is issued to residents of the GCC (GCC Person means a citizen of a GCC country- namely, Saudi Arabia, UAE, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar and the State of Kuwait), or for a few cases, eligibility may also vary depending on an applicant's occupation.

Every Indian traveller who wishes to apply for a Qatar visa must fulfil the following conditions:

• Applicants must have valid reasons or purposes for visiting Qatar the country.
• Travellers must have adequate funds to back themselves and their dependents, if any, throughout their stay.
• Indian citizens must ensure that they will return after their stay in Qatar.
• Every applicant should be of good character and devoid of any criminal track record. Applicants may need to submit a Police Clearance Certificate PCC as evidence for the same.
• Applicants must fulfil the minimum health criteria as required by authorities.

• Applicants must meet the health requirements.

• Individuals should be devoid of any criminal records.

Indian travellers need to submit the following documents while applying for a visa for Qatar:

• Passport with blank pages and a validity of at least 6 months
• Applicant's two coloured passport-size photographs
• Two photocopies of the passport's first pages
• Invitation letter or application from a Qatar resident (applicable for tourist visa)
• Confirmed flight tickets
• Proof of hotel or accommodation reservation

Apart from these documents and application form V1, there are specific documentation requirements for each type of Qatar visa:

Business Visa

• A photocopy of a Qatari residence permit or ID.
• Submit the original and a photocopy of a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months
• Applicant's two recent passport-size photographs.
• The employer in Qatar must submit a letter mentioning the purpose of the business. The employer must mention the name of the organisation in India with whom it engages in business in its letter. It must state other details, including an applicant's designation and salary.
• If an applicant is a non-resident, he or she cannot avail business visa for Qatar.

Transit Visa

• A photocopy of the Qatari residence permit or ID.
• Submit the original and a photocopy of a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months.
• Applicant's two recent passport-size photographs.
• Photocopy of confirmed flight tickets.

Work Visa

A citizen's employer can sponsor a Qatar work visa. However, an employee must possess a minimum of 2 years of working experience with his or her employer.

• A photocopy of the Qatari residence permit or ID.
• Submit the original and a photocopy of a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months.
• Two recent passport-size photographs.
• Applicant's original and photocopy of educational qualification documents.
• Applicants must submit the original and photocopy of the employment agreement provided by the company or firm.
• The employer in India must submit a letter mentioning that there are no eligible Indians specialised for this job role other than the concerned applicant.

Student Visa

• A photocopy of the Qatari residence permit or ID.
• The original and a photocopy of a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months.
• Two recent passport-size photographs.
• Submit an admission letter from a recognised university to study a particular full-time or a certificate course, which is applicable for students already studying in full-time courses in India.
• Photocopies of educational qualification documents such as mark sheets and pass certificates.
• The applicant's local sponsor must submit a salary certificate.

Tourist Visa

• Original passport with a minimum validity of 6 months. There should be two blank pages in the passport for a visa stamp.
• Applicant's recent photographs
• PAN card
• Confirmed flight tickets to and from Qatar
• Proof of accommodation or hotel reservation

Family Visa

For Family Residence Visa (Applicable for Long-term Stay)

• A photocopy of a Qatar ID
• A photocopy of a passport, both bio and photograph page
• In the case of a spouse, a copy of the marriage certificate is required. Qatar embassy of the applicant's residential country, India, the Indian embassy in Qatar and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar must attest to the document.
• In the case of children, photocopies of birth certificates are required, attested by the Indian embassy in Qatar, the Qatar embassy in India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar.
• NOC or No Objection Certificate from the applicant's employer, mentioning his or her salary for the last 3 months and profession in Arabic. Alternatively, submit a photocopy of the employment agreement stating the salary and profession.
• A photocopy of a tenancy agreement, attested by Municipality. Alternatively, the employer must provide a letter mentioning the family accommodation to be provided.
• Stamped bank statement for the past 6 months.
• Photocopies of educational qualification documents*
• Photocopies company registration card or employer QID*

*Applicants may not need to submit the last two documents in specific cases, especially for public sector organisations.

For Family Visit Visa (Applicable for Short-term Stay)

For Children and Spouses

• A photocopy of a visitor's passport and applicant's Qatar ID.
• Documents required to prove the relation (notarised marriage certificate in case of spouse and birth certificate for children)
• No objection letter from employer stating salary and profession.
• Employment contract
• A copy of a company's card
• Confirmed flight tickets
• Health insurance plan that is valid in Qatar

For Newborns

• Original passport and birth certificate of the child,
• Recent photographs
• A photocopy of a residence permit for the applicant
• Visa of the mother

For Other Relatives

• A copy of the visitor's passport and applicant's Qatar ID.
• A copy of the wife's Qatar ID in case she is a resident
• No objection letter from employer stating salary and profession
• Proof of Relation such as passport and birth certificate
• Company card's photocopy
• Confirmed flight tickets
• A health insurance policy that is valid in Qatar

The Qatar eVisa for the primary applicant will be USD 27 (QAR 98.31) and that of the accompanying members will be USD 13.50 (QAR 49.15). If anyone overstays, one has to pay a penalty fee of USD 55 or approx. The three month visit visa price in Qatar will be USD 227.64 (QAR 828.84). In addition, transit visas are also available free of cost but only valid for up to 96 hours, i.e., four days. 

Disclaimer: The visa fees are subject to change, based on new immigration rules, the country in which you apply, the local currency and currency exchange rates. 

Residents of India can apply for a Qatar visa online and offline, and mentioned below are the step-wise guides for an online application mode:

Step 1: Go to the official website of the Qatar visa. Now, enter the correct details in the online application form.

Step 2: Submit all the documents required to process the application.

Step 3: Pay the application fees online using MasterCard, debit or credit cards.

Applicants do not need to undergo an interview process if they apply for a Qatar visa online. Once they submit the application form, along with documents, the relevant authority verifies them. After that, he or she proceeds with the processing of their application.

In offline application mode, willing candidates can visit their nearest embassy within working hours to apply for a Qatar visa.

If an applicant submits all the correct documents and there are no issues related to his or her application, then the relevant authority processes the Qatar visa within 4 working days.

As of May 2022, every foreign traveler visiting Qatar, including Indians, must have a valid travel insurance plan to enter the country. This travel insurance plan must remain valid during the entire duration of their stay.

Besides being a mandatory Qatar policy, a travel insurance plan will provide financial protection against unforeseen situations such as illnesses or delayed flights, thereby releasing the stress of bearing unexpected hefty bills.

As of 2022, Indians constitute 24% of the Qatar population and make up the single largest nationality in the country. This indicates a massive influx of Indian citizens to this country. If an individual is similarly eager to visit Qatar, they must first apply for a visa for Qatar to gain entry here. To avoid inconvenience while applying, go through the above-mentioned pointers carefully.