Travel Desk
Qatar’s Free Transit Visa for Qatar Airways Passengers
Qatar Airways passengers can access a free transit visa on arrival at Hamad International Airport for layovers between four and 48 hours in Doha.
Qatar offers passengers travelling on Qatar Airways a free transit visa on arrival at Hamad International Airport.
Two Eligible Traveller Categories
Passengers passing through Qatar en route to another destination are eligible under the first category, provided they hold a return ticket. Their journey must continue beyond Qatar.
The second category covers passengers who want to explore Doha during a layover. Unlike travellers who remain in transit, they may leave the airport to visit the city before continuing their journey.
Permitted Layover Stay Windows
Permitted stay periods differ between the two categories, with the shortest layover available to passengers in the second category and the longest window applying to those in the first.
| Traveller category | Minimum stay | Maximum stay |
|---|---|---|
| First category | 12 hours | 48 hours |
| Second category | 4 hours | 12 hours |
Passengers in the first category must therefore have a layover of at least 12 hours and may remain in Qatar for up to 48 hours under the transit visa arrangement.
For the second category, the permitted period begins at four hours and is capped at 12 hours. A Qatar Airways officer completes the required documentation for these travellers, and Qatar Airways assumes responsibility for them during the process.
