Qatar announced on September 27, 2026, that citizens of 47 countries can obtain a complimentary tourist visa valid for 30 days. The visa is issued without any application fee and stamped directly into passports upon arrival, showing the entry stamp with the arrival date and expiry of permitted stay. Travelers may extend this visa for an additional 30 days.
Eligible Countries and Visa Privileges
The list of eligible countries includes nations from multiple continents, with South Africa as the only African country on the list. Others are Andorra, Singapore, Argentina, Macedonia, Panama, Cuba, Costa Rica, Australia, Britain, San Marino, South Korea, Belarus, Georgia, the Maldives,
Suriname, Bolivia, Guyana, Mexico, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Hong Kong, Moldova, Thailand, the Vatican, Brunei, India, Monaco, Ukraine, Canada, Indonesia, New Zealand, the United States, Chile, Ireland, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Pakistan.
The visa allows for multiple entries during its validity period, enabling travelers to leave and re-enter Qatar without obtaining a new visa each time.
Entry Requirements and Purpose
To qualify for the visa, applicants must hold passports valid for at least six months from the date of arrival and present confirmed return or onward travel tickets. The visa scheme is strictly intended for tourism purposes.
Qatar’s Tourism Strategy
This free 30-day tourist visa scheme forms part of Qatar’s
efforts to increase the number of visitors to the country. By removing application fees and facilitating multiple entries, the government aims to boost tourism flows from a broad range of countries starting in 2026.
