Qatar ETA Visa [Hayya A3]: Application & Requirements 2024

Feeling overwhelmed by the various visa options available for your upcoming trip to Qatar? You may feel confused and unsure about which type of visa is right for you when there are so many different types, such as the Electronic Travel Authorization (Qatar ETA Visa), also known as the A3 visa.

You might wonder, “How do I apply for a Qatar visa online? or ” What are the Qatar visa requirements and eligibility criteria?”

Don’t worry! The Qatar visa application process can be confusing and overwhelming for many travelers, so they seek clarity and guidance for how to navigate the application.

In order to simplify the process of applying for your Qatar visa online, we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide. After reading this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of the different visa options, eligibility requirements, and step-by-step instructions on how to apply for your Qatar visa.

What is a Qatar ETA Visa?

Qatar ETA or Qatar A3 Visas are electronic travel authorizations that allow eligible travelers to enter and stay in Qatar. For citizens of all nationalities with valid residency permits or visas from selected countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, the ETA system was launched in September 2017 to facilitate seamless travel to Qatar.

Online ETA visa applications are convenient and accessible worldwide, making them convenient for travelers from all over the world. With an ETA, visitors can explore Qatar’s rich culture, stunning architecture, and warm hospitality without needing a traditional visa from an embassy.

Qatar ETA Visa Eligibility Criteria

Qatar ETA visa applicants must meet the following criteria:

Nationality

ETA visas are available to citizens of all countries who hold a valid visa or residence permit from the following countries:

Schengen countries
United Kingdom (UK)
Australia
USA
Canada
New Zealand

Accommodation

It is mandatory for visitors to have confirmed accommodation for the duration of their stay in Qatar. The type of accommodation can be either “Family and Friends Hosting” or “Other Accommodation” such as a hotel booking.

Health Insurance

In order to remain in Qatar for more than 30 days, visitors must have Qatar Travel health insurance that complies with the Ministry of Public Health’s guidelines.

Although you are eligible for a Qatar visa on arrival in Qatar, you can still apply for an ETA visa through Hayya for added convenience.

Passport Validity

At the time of entry into Qatar, the applicant must have a passport that is valid for at least three months.

Return Flight

It is mandatory for applicants to have a confirmed return flight ticket.

Documents Needed For Travel Using ETA Visa

You must submit scanned color copies of the following documents when applying for a Qatar ETA visa:

Documents Needed For Travel Using Qatar ETA Visa

Passport Information Page: A clear, legible copy of the applicant’s bio or picture page(s).
Airline Reservation: An itinerary or flight reservation copy. All Qatar Airways passengers are exempt from submitting reservations.
Invitation Letter: An invitation letter from the host, along with their Qatar resident visa, Qatar ID, and passport bio page, is required if staying with a Qatari resident (friend or relative). You must provide the host’s Qatari national ID and invitation letter if he or she is Qatari.
Passport-Size Photo: The applicant’s most recent passport-size photo. (Explore Qatar Visa Photo Requirements)
Hotel Reservation: A copy of the hotel reservation or confirmation is needed if staying at a hotel.

In addition, each family’s main applicant must submit the following information:

Proof of Residency: In addition to a resident card, a resident visa, an official passport address page, a utility bill, a tenancy contract, a phone bill, or a credit/debit card bill, this can also be a resident visa or a resident card.
Supporting Documents: There may be a need for additional supporting documents in some cases, such as marriage certificates. Applicants will be contacted directly if such documents are required.

ETA applicants must provide at least one of the following to qualify:

Proof of residence
You must provide proof that you hold a valid visitor visa for any of the following countries: Australia, Canada, GCC, New Zealand, Schengen countries, the United States, or the United Kingdom.
A valid visa proving residency

Additionally, supporting documents such as the following should be included under ‘Additional Documents’ if available:

Investment documents showing USD $8,000 or more.
Evidence of travel to Qatar, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Schengen countries, United States, or United Kingdom within the past five years.
An income tax return indicating an annual gross income in excess of USD $8,000.

Visitors to Qatar will no longer be required to take the COVID-19 vaccine, undergo PCR testing, or register for Ehteraz after 2024.

Qatar ETA Visa Online Application Process

Online application for Qatar ETA visas is simple. To complete your application, follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit Hayya Website

Visit hayya.qa and click on “My Hayya” at the top right of the page. You can apply for Hayya if you already have an account.

Step 2: Register on Hayya Portal

You can create an account by clicking on “Sign Up” and providing your email address. A verification code will be emailed to you. You can access the “My Hayya” portal using your email address and password.

Step 3: Apply for Hayya Card Online

To begin the application process, click on “Apply for Hayya“.

Step 4: Select Visa Category

There is an option called “Visa with ETA (A3)” under the available visa categories.

Step 5: Choose Purpose of Visit

Select the appropriate purpose for your visit, such as sport events, business meetings, weddings, shopping, friend visits, heritage tourism, conventions, or participation in events. Choose “others” if your reason isn’t listed.

Step 6: Personal Information

Fill out the My Hayya portal with your personal information. To proceed, you must accept the terms and conditions.

Picture: Ensure that the image you upload meets the requirements for clarity, well-lighting, and a light background. Browse for an appropriate photo and review the instructions.
Validate User: Click “Validate User” after the data has been extracted. If the option is not available, select “Normal.”
Residential Information: Please select your country of birth and country of residence. Please upload a valid resident card or visa from a US, UK, Canada, Schengen country, New Zealand, or Australia if you don’t have previous residency information.
Contact Information: Please provide your name, personal contact information, and emergency contact information. Click on the review and submit button.
Passport: Make sure your passport’s first page meets the MRZ (Machine-readable zone) requirements. You can enter your data manually or let the system extract it automatically. Don’t forget to save it.
Name: You will need to enter your first and last names. The second and third Latin names can be skipped if they are not applicable. Those without a last name should refer to the last page of their passport.
Accommodation: Choose either “family and friends” or “other” as your accommodation type. Please mention the name of your accommodation in the bar below.

Step 7: Visa Fees

Your payment link will be emailed to you once your application has been reviewed and approved. It costs QAR 100 (about USD 27) to obtain a Qatar ETA visa. MasterCard, Visa, or credit cards can be used to pay.

Your Hayya Entry Permit will be emailed to you upon application processing, and you can also access it via the Hayya App. Once all required documents are submitted, ETA visas for Qatar typically take 48 hours to process.

Qatar ETA Visa Validity and Charges

Qatar ETA visas are valid for up to 30 days from the date of issue, allowing visitors to stay in Qatar for longer than one month. Visas cost approximately USD 27 (QAR 100). The 30-day entry permit is only valid for the period specified.

Hayya ETA Visa Processing Time

ETAs or tourist visas are usually issued within five working days of receiving all the required documents.

You can check the status of your Qatar visa by visiting our Qatar Visa Status check page and entering your registration code, email address, and date of birth.

What is the Difference between Qatar Tourist Visa and ETA?

The Qatar Tourist Visa is for individuals who wish to travel to Qatar but are not eligible for a Qatar ETA. Tourist visas and ETAs are dependent on the applicant’s nationality, residency, or visa permit.

An online application for a tourist visa can be submitted by citizens of certain countries who do not qualify for an ETA.

FAQs

Qatar requires all visitors to hold a passport with a validity of at least six months from the date of arrival. In the event that your passport’s validity falls short of this requirement, you will need to renew it before you can apply for an ETA or a tourist visa.

Yes, absolutely. Children and infants (even those accompanied by parents) are required to have a valid visa in order to enter Qatar, regardless of their age. Children’s visas cannot be endorsed on parents’ passports and must be processed separately.

Your ETA/tourist visa will be sent directly to the email address you provided during the application process once it has been approved.

Each entry into Qatar requires a separate ETA/visa. In order to apply for multiple ETAs/visas, you must wait at least five working days between your first departure and your second arrival in Qatar. Each ETA/visa application must be submitted independently and must be completed separately.

There may be a possibility to receive a refund for online service fees even though government fees are non-refundable.

Qatar Immigration does not disclose the specific reasons for denying an ETA or tourist visa application. Consequently, we cannot provide a definitive response to why your application may have been rejected.

Qatar ETA and tourist visa applications cannot be processed with passports bearing a single name. To be eligible for these travel authorizations, applicants must list at least two names in their passports.

It is not necessary to apply for your ETA or tourist visa at the same time as making your flight reservations. It is possible to submit your visa application up to five working days before your scheduled travel date.

An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is available to travelers with a valid residence permit or visit visa from Schengen countries, Australia, Canada, the UK, the USA, or New Zealand.

Wrapping Up

So, that’s how you can apply for the Qatar ETA Visa. Make sure to go through the whole above mentioned guide so you can full understand the ETA visa process and can proceed your visa process in a single go. Do let us know if you face any issues in the comments section.

Qatar ETA Visa [Hayya A3]: Application & Requirements

What is a Qatar ETA Visa?