In the past, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens could travel freely within countries that are part of the council. Now, residents can also enjoy this privilege.
ALSO READ: 5 Sights to See at West Green Spine Park
Due to this development, Qatar residents can easily apply for a visit visa to other GCC countries and vice versa. So if you have family members or friends in neighboring countries, they can now easily travel to Qatar for a short visit.
Connect with Family and Friends with a Qatar Visit Visa
For GCC residents, visiting other countries within the region is easier by applying for a visit visa. In particular, those who want to visit Qatar can easily apply using the Hayya portal. Here are the steps to follow:
Go to the official Hayya portal and create a personal account
After verifying email, select the GCC resident visa when asked about the application type
Upload these documents:
- Passport with at least 6 months of validity
- Active GCC residence permit
- Return flight tickets
- Proof of accommodation in Qatar
- Active health insurance
- Visa fees to be paid online
- Submit the application and track its status
- Upon approval of application, download the visa
Visa Eligibility
The Qatar visit visa is valid for 30 days. Its validity takes effect as soon as the visitor enters the country through any legal point of entry.
One of the key requirements when applying for a Qatar visit visa is the availability of funds. The visitor needs to show the immigration officer that the guest can afford to visit by having enough money to spend.
Another consideration would be the clean travel record of the visa applicant. This will ensure that the guest will return to their host country before the visa validity expires.
The occupation of the visa applicant will also be considered. Some of the professions that the Qatari government are looking for include engineers, doctors, teachers, technical specialists, and entrepreneurs.
How Much Does the Visa Cost?
The Qatar Visa System is responsible for processing visa applications. The basic visa processing fee is 100 QAR, and for those who want to expedite their application will pay 200 QAR. There will be an insurance verification fee worth 50 QAR, and a service charge of 25 QAR. All of these payments can be made online.
How Long Will the Visa Processing Take?
Once the applicant has submitted all the requirements, the next steps are the interview and verification of documents. The initial interview will be scheduled within 24-48 hours. Meanwhile, document verification will be scheduled after 2-3 days. Next is the visa approval, which will be scheduled in 1-2 working days.
What are the Penalties for Violations?
Visitors in Qatar are expected to stay within the approved days that their visa allows. According to Qatar immigration authorities, the penalty for overstaying is 200 QAR per day. If the visitor is also discovered to have incomplete documents, they might also have to pay the 500 QAR fine. It’s also important to note that visitors caught working in Qatar without permission are at risk of being deported.
What are the Benefits of the GCC Unified Visa?
The unified visa system allows residents within GCC to travel easily from one country to another. The system follows a simplified immigration procedure, allowing guests to easily enter the country.