When planning your first trip to Qatar, chances are, your excitement comes with a bit of anxiety: how to prepare for the extremely hot weather, is city navigation simple enough, and how strict are the rules? The reality is, the country is tourist-friendly and, with proper preparation, you will have one of the smoothest travel experiences. This checklist covers everything you need to arrange for your first Qatar visit. 

As of 2026, more than 80 countries don’t need a visa to travel to Qatar. Still, citizens of some states, including the USA, Canada, Australia, and Schengen countries, have to get a visa on arrival or an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) upon entering. 

Since the list of countries’ travel requirements constantly changes, the easiest way to check which documents you need to enter is via the Hayya portal. Click on Start here on the right and choose your transportation method.

You’ll then be able to pick your nationality, whether you’re a GCC resident or hold a visa or residency for the US, the UK, Canada, Schengen, Australia, or New Zealand. Once this info is added, the Hayya portal will show a list of options for entering Qatar.

In most cases, visitors will have to go through a full visa application process, but they may also have other options, depending on their residence status.

Regardless of the options available, the portal will guide you through each step and provide information on the documents you need to upload before the application begins. Also, you won’t have to go through the application immediately. Use the portal to review available options, then create a Hayya account once you have your travel itinerary. 

To apply for a visa, visitors must provide proof of accommodation. Therefore, you’ll have to buy plane tickets and book a hotel before you start the application.

The largest flight operator in the country is Qatar Airways, so check their prices first. Other popular airlines include Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Etihad, and British Airways. Alternatively, try finding a deal on booking sites like Skyscanner and Kiwi.

Accommodation depends on your budget and preferences. Doha has great hotels to choose from, starting from around QAR 150 per night. And in case your trip is shorter, consider booking something near the airport. Save the booking confirmation as a PDF to make it easier to upload when applying for a visa. 

Once they have proof of a travel itinerary, visitors who need a visa for Qatar can apply for it via the Hayya portal. Upon creating an account, they have to provide personal, residential, and accommodation details.

It takes between five and ten working days for a visa to get approved. Once that happens, applicants will receive an email with the option to download the visa.

To check the Hayya visa status, log in to your profile and go to Summary. You’ll see the status of all your applications there.

Every visitor who needs a visa to enter Qatar must obtain visitors’ health insurance and be covered during their entire stay. 

Those who only need an ETA or visa on arrival upon entering the country must obtain mandatory visitors' insurance if they wish to stay for more than 30 days. Still, it’s recommended that they get insured even for shorter trips to avoid high medical costs in case of an emergency. 

The premium for mandatory visitors' health insurance is QAR 50, and the coverage lasts for one month.

Visitors should respect Qatar's cultural norms and pack modest clothing. Men shouldn’t wear shorts or sleeveless shirts, while women's clothes have to cover their knees and shoulders. 

The weather is pretty hot and humid, even in winter, so sunscreen and light materials are a must. Here’s the overview of average temperatures per month in Qatar, to help with packing:

Almost all of the places and services in Qatar, including taxis, accept cards, meaning you won’t need to carry cash for most purchases. Rare exceptions are local markets such as Souq Waqif, where they only accept the local currency (Qatari riyal).

Doha’s Hamad International Airport is one of the largest in the world, so download the HIA mobile app for easier navigation. For transportation, check out Qatar Rail for the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram, and Uber and Karwa for taxis. 

And, in case you’re looking for discounts and coupons for museums, download QIC App, tap on City, and choose Promo. You’ll need a Qatar number for creating an account, though. While on the topic of numbers, you should consider getting an eSIM to avoid relying on public Wi-Fi.