Hayya A1 Visa to Qatar: Step-by-Step Guide

We know you can’t wait to try Saloona and Karak tea on your first trip to Qatar. But, before you head off, you first need to obtain a tourist (A1) visa, and the easiest way to do that is via the Hayya portal. Thankfully, our step-by-step guide on the Hayya A1 visa to Qatar will make the whole process clear and easy!

Hayya is an e-visa portal that offers expedited, online services for all those who want to spend up to 30 days in Qatar. E-visa applications can be submitted via the online portal or the Hayya to Qatar app. 

You can apply for the following visa types: 

• A1 visa: For tourists

• A2 visa: For GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) residents who need a single-entry permit instead of a visa

• A3 visa: People with a valid visa or residence permit from Schengen countries, Australia, Canada, the UK, the USA, or New Zealand are eligible for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which is a different type of entry permit that can be applied for via Hayya

• A4 visa: For a companion of a GCC citizen

• F1 visa: A permit for visa-free US residents that can be requested on the Hayya platform 

So, if you want to explore Qatar’s culture, enjoy the authentic cuisine, and relax on the beaches of Katara and Al Khor for up to one month, you will need an A1 tourist visa. 

Any resident of a country that requires a visa for traveling to Qatar can apply for it via the Hayya portal. 

This means the GCC nationals, who are allowed a tourist visa-free entry, don’t have to go through the portal. They can apply for an entry permit upon arrival. Also, people with a visa or residence in Schengen countries, Australia, Canada, the UK, or New Zealand don’t have to go through the A1 process. Instead, they can apply for the entry permit (A3 type).

The A1 visa’s validity lasts for 30 days. You can extend the visa for another month at the Directorate of Passport at Hamad International Airport or on the Ministry of Interior (MOI) website. 

The main requirement for traveling to Qatar is having a passport that’s valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date. You should also have a return flight ticket to show you’re not planning on staying in the country longer than you’re allowed to.

Bear in mind — visitors are obliged to have health insurance for Qatar during their stay, so make sure to purchase a travel insurance policy before departing.

Hayya allows you to quickly apply for your tourist visa through the portal. Here are the steps:

1. Visit the official Hayya website or download the app.

2. Click on Start Your Journey and input your means of travel, country, and whether you’re a resident of a GCC state or a country that requires the ETA. Then, the portal will recommend the best option for you (which will likely be the A1 visa).

3. To apply, create a new account using the signup form. Type your email, name, surname, and create a password. The platform will send you a confirmation code to access the application section. By the way, you’ll have to submit the verification code every time you log into Hayya.

4. The next step is filling in the application information. Since you need the A1 visa, select the purpose of visit from the dropdown menu.

5. You’ll get a pop-up with all the documents you’ll need to complete the application, collect them before proceeding.

6. Fill in personal information. You need to upload your picture (there are clear instructions on the site), a photo of the passport page with your information, and select the passport type. You’ll then add your contact information (phone number) along with the name and number of your emergency contact.

7. Add information about your nationality and residency: your country of birth, residency, and whether you have any other nationalities.

8. Submit accommodation information. You’ll upload supporting documents in another section — for now, you just have to choose where you’ll be staying and provide as much information about your accommodation as possible. Alternatively, you can be hosted by your family and friends, but this option will be available only after your host submits their request on the Hayya portal (more info on that later).

9. Once you have completed the form, you are required to attach proof of stay and pay the visa fee, which is QAR 100.

10. Qatar A1 visa general processing time is 10 days, but it can take up to 3 weeks. You will receive an update about the status on the platform.

The process is the same whether you go through the app or the website. On the app, you’ll see the Hayya section at the bottom right of the screen. Simply tap on Request Hayya to start the application. 

Proof of residence for an A1 visa

There is a section on the main Hayya page that allows you to submit proof that you have somewhere to stay during your trip. Once you click on Start Your Journey, you should select Accommodation Requirements. You can choose between two different options:

• Upload Your Booked Accommodation — for you to submit if you don’t have a host

• Host Family & Friends — for your host to submit

To upload proof of stay, you’ll log into the platform once again, submit the information on the accommodation type, and upload the booking confirmation document as proof. For your request to be approved, you should have a place to stay for the entire duration of your trip. You may be exempted from providing the accommodation proof if you booked a hotel via Discover Qatar.

Qatari residents who are hosting family and friends should choose the Host Family & Friends option on the website. Hosts need to be at least 18 years old and provide their Qatar ID number and date of birth. They’ll then receive a text message from a number connected to their ID to confirm their identity. Hosts can add only one property and have a maximum of five guests at a time. 

For property info, the platform asks for name, zone, street, building, and unit. Hosts also need to input whether they’re owners or renters. A property deed should also be uploaded to the platform. 

After a host submits their information, friends and family they invited can go through the Hayya application process and choose the Hosted by family and friends option in the Accommodation Information section. 

What happens when you need to stay a bit longer than you planned? Well, you can apply for a visa extension to prolong the stay for 30 more days. You’re able to extend the visa in person, at the Hamad International Airport, or online, via the MOI website.

1. On the menu bar, click on MOI services and, from the drop-down menu, select Inquiries.

2. Choose the Visa Services option and select Visit Visa Extension.

3. Enter your visa or passport number and nationality. You’ll then have to fill in the captcha and choose Extend.

Visa extension is valid for 30 days and costs QAR 100. To avoid a fine of QAR 200 per day, apply for an extension before your original Qatar visa expires.