Your visit visa is approaching its expiry date, you’re still in Doha, and you want to stay for longer. Whether it’s family time, a longer holiday, or an event you want to attend, the extension is quick, affordable, and can be done fully online or in person. Here’s a step-by-step process on how to extend a Hayya A1 visa for Qatar. 

A Hayya visa is the electronic entry permit issued through the Hayya portal, allowing citizens of other countries to stay in Qatar for the allotted period. There are several types of visas that can be applied for on the portal, but the most popular one is the Hayya A1 visa. This is basically a tourist entry permit that grants a 30-day stay in the country and costs QAR 100. After this period is up, visitors can apply for a Hayya visa extension. 

The only exception to the Hayya tourist visa is GCC residents. They are holders of an A2 tourist visa and can stay in Qatar for up to two months before applying for an extension. 

Before the A1 visa for Qatar expires, tourists can apply for an extension. This option is typically available during the final seven days of the visa.

Each extension adds another 30 days and costs QAR 100. In most cases, you can apply for multiple extensions — travelers report extending for up to 90 days with no issues. However, extensions beyond 90 days are rare and typically involve converting a tourist visa to another type. 

How to extend a Hayya A1 visa online

The easiest way to get a visit visa extension in Qatar is to apply online. For regular tourist visas, that can be done via the Ministry of Interior (MOI)  website:

1. Go to MOI services on the home page and choose Inquiries.

2. Click on Visa Services and pick Visit Visa Extension.

3. You can either enter your visa or passport number. Then pick your nationality and input the captcha. 

4. You’ll then be able to apply for a Hayya visa extension and pay the QAR 100 fee. 

The entire process takes about five minutes. Approvals are usually instant, though some applicants report waiting up to 24 hours during peak periods.

How to extend a Hayya visa in person

As instructed by the Hayya platform, you can apply for a visa extension in person at the Hamad International Airport. Find the Airport Passports Department and file an official request. 

For this process, you’ll need:

• Passport with at least six months' validity

• Current Hayya visa proof

• Visitors’ insurance for the extended stay period

• QAR 100 for the fee

The staff will process the extension immediately.

If you applied for a family visit visa, you can extend it using any of the methods available to all other visit visa holders. But since this visa relies on a family member’s ability to host the visitors, you’ll probably have to provide additional documentation. 

Aside from the sponsor’s Qatar ID, you’ll likely need a bank statement demonstrating the sponsor’s financial ability to support the visiting family members during their stay and a tenancy agreement for rented accommodation. Family visa holders have more extension options than regular visitors. They can lengthen their stay by visiting the immigration department and via the sponsor’s Metrash app as well.

To extend a family visa online, the sponsor has to go to the Visa section in the app and choose Operations. 

There, they’ll find the Extend Visa option. They can review and confirm their information and pay the QAR 200 extension fee. 

Family visit visas are issued for 30 or 90 days, after which they can be extended. Bear in mind that the Qatar family visit visa extension beyond 6 months is not possible. Visa holders will either have to apply for another visa type or leave the country.