VOA replaces the ‘Hayya’ card that was introduced for the duration of the football competition. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/kubikactive
Qatar’s visa-on-arrival scheme, which is available to travellers from a
specified list of more than 95 countries, has been reintroduced
following the World Cup hosted in the destination in end-2022.
The
visa on arrival means that eligible travellers are granted a visa
waiver when entering Qatar, as long as they have a valid passport with a
minimum validity of six months and a confirmed onward or return ticket.
Visitors intending to stay in Qatar must also hold a valid hotel
booking for the duration of the stay.
During the tournament, international visitors entering Qatar to
attend football matches and non-ticket fans were instead granted entry
with the ‘Hayya’ card, which temporarily replaced the visa and which
also gave travellers free journeys on public transport.
Commenting on the latest travel regulations, Haya Al-Noami, head of
promotions sector at Qatar Tourism, said: “Looking back at the end of a
truly remarkable month of celebrations, we are so proud to have hosted
some of the year’s most memorable moments. We are confident that Qatar’s
iconic attractions, warmth and openness, and infectious enthusiasm will
continue to draw in visitors and residents toward the end of the year
and into the next.”
Countries within the Asia-Pacific region covered by the visa waiver
scheme include Singapore, South Korea, Australia, Hong Kong, China,
India, Indonesia, Japan and Malaysia, among others.
Existing Hayya card-holders are allowed to stay in Qatar until 23
January 2023. The visa on arrival requirement was brought back on 23
December.