Qatar visa on arrival for Pakistanis: 30-day stay and entry conditions

Pakistani nationals can obtain a 30-day tourist visa on arrival in Qatar, according to Gulf News, which set out the rules and requirements. BBC Urdu also reported that the facility for Pakistani citizens to get a visa on arrival has been restored.

The visa is valid for 30 days and can be extended for a further 30 days, subject to applicable requirements. A confirmed return ticket is required before an extension is granted.

Applicants must show proof of funds of at least QR5,000, or the equivalent on a valid credit card. They must also hold a confirmed return ticket and a passport valid for at least six months.

Hotel rooms must be reserved through Discover Qatar. The permitted length of stay may be shorter than 30 days depending on the hotel reservation.

Visitors must buy at least one month's health insurance, costing QR50. QIC and QLM are among the recommended providers, and the list of approved insurers is on the Qatar Ministry of Public Health website. After purchase, an email with the receipt and insurance certificate is sent to the registered address, and both documents must be carried during travel.

Travellers arriving directly from Pakistan must carry a polio vaccination certificate. Business visas are granted only through accredited companies.

At Hamad International Airport in Doha, visitors must first go to the Discover Qatar desk, before the immigration counters. Documents are verified and stamped there. Travellers then go to immigration for visa processing, eye scans and biometric checks.

On March 30, the Pakistan Embassy in Doha issued an advisory saying the facility was temporarily unavailable due to the prevailing situation. It advised travellers to obtain a visa before departure, warning that those arriving without one could face entry restrictions and immigration inconvenience.