Qatar Hayya e-Visa Guide: Routes, Photos and Fees
The correct way to enter Qatar depends on your nationality, GCC residence status and whether you hold a qualifying visa or residence permit from another country. Some visitors qualify for visa-free entry or a visa on arrival, while others must apply online through the Hayya portal before travelling.
This guide explains how to identify the correct Qatar e-visa category, prepare the required documents, meet the current Hayya photo upload checks, submit the application and check the fee and validity shown on the issued entry permit.
Table of contents
- Qatar visa policy
- Who can apply for a Qatar visa online?
- Qatar e-visa categories
- Qatar e-visa application process
- Documents required to apply for a Qatar visa via the Hayya portal
- Hayya photo requirements
- Get a Qatar e-visa photo online!
- Qatar e-visa fees
- Qatar e-visa validity
- FAQ
Qatar visa policy
Qatar has separate entry routes for visa-free visitors, travellers eligible for a visa on arrival and people who need an electronic entry permit before departure.
The Qatar Ministry of Interior visa guidance lists the main Hayya entry permits alongside the country's visa-on-arrival routes. It also states that visitors should generally have a passport valid for at least three months, a confirmed return or onward ticket and health insurance from an approved provider. Entry rules can change, so check them again before travelling.
Who can apply for a Qatar visa online?
Use Qatar's live visa checker, which asks for your passport nationality and may also ask about your residence status or visas held for other countries.
The result may direct you to one of these routes:
- GCC citizens can generally enter Qatar without a visa.
- Eligible travellers may receive visa-free entry or a visa on arrival instead of applying through Hayya.
- Other tourists may be directed to the Tourist Visa (A1).
- GCC residents may be directed to the GCC Resident Visa (A2), depending on the result of the live eligibility check.
- Holders of a qualifying visa or residence permit may be directed to the ETA (A3) route.
- A person travelling with a GCC citizen may be directed to the Companion of GCC Citizen Visa (A4).
The route shown by the checker and the Hayya application wizard takes priority over old lists published elsewhere.
Qatar e-visa categories
The current Hayya portal presents four main e-visa categories for visitors:
- Tourist Visa (A1): for travellers whom the live eligibility process directs to a tourist e-visa application.
- GCC Resident Visa (A2): for eligible residents of Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The applicant must provide current GCC residence details and follow the category-specific instructions shown in Hayya.
- Visa with ETA (A3): for eligible travellers who hold a valid visa or residence permit for the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, a Schengen Area country, Australia or New Zealand. Hayya verifies the relevant document during the application.
- Companion of GCC Citizen Visa (A4): for an eligible companion travelling with a GCC citizen. The A4 visa holder must travel with the sponsoring GCC citizen.
The former "Hayya with Me" entry permit is no longer a current application route. Hayya states that this permit expired on 24 January 2024.
Vehicle pre-registration for the Abu Samra land border is a separate arrival service. It does not replace a visa or create permission to enter Qatar.
Qatar e-visa application process
Apply only after the live eligibility check directs you to a Hayya route. The current process is:
- Open the official Hayya application portal and use the nationality and eligibility questions to confirm your route.
- Create an account or sign in, then select the category shown for your circumstances.
- Enter your personal, passport and travel details exactly as they appear in your documents.
- Upload a clear image of the passport biographical page.
- Upload a separate personal portrait that passes the Hayya photo checks.
- Add the documents required for your category, such as proof of GCC residence, a qualifying visa or residence permit, or sponsor details.
- Provide the accommodation or host information requested in the application.
- Review the form and submit it. If the application receives final approval, pay the fee shown in the portal.
- Download the approved entry permit and check the passport number, name, validity and permitted stay before travelling.
A traveller younger than 18 should be added as a dependent in Hayya rather than creating a separate adult account. A parent or guardian should complete the dependent's application.
Documents required to apply for a Qatar visa via the Hayya portal
The passport image and personal photo are separate uploads. Prepare clear digital copies before starting the form. A Hayya application may require:
- A passport valid for the period required by the selected route, generally at least three months at entry
- A clear scan or photo of the passport biographical page
- A separate recent personal portrait in JPG or JPEG format
- Travel and contact details
- Accommodation booking or host information requested for the route
- A return or onward ticket for entry to Qatar
- Health insurance from a provider approved for visitors to Qatar
Category-specific documents may include:
- A2: valid GCC residence evidence and the residence details requested by Hayya
- A3: a valid qualifying visa or residence permit
- A4: details and supporting evidence for the sponsoring GCC citizen who will travel with the applicant
Hayya may request additional evidence after reviewing an application. Upload readable documents and respond through the account if the status asks for corrections or more information.
Hayya photo requirements
Hayya currently applies automated checks to the personal portrait. The upload should meet these conditions:
- File type: JPG or JPEG
- File size: less than 2 MB
- The image contains exactly one detectable face
- The face is centred and the head faces forward rather than turning left or right
- Both eyes are open and visible
- Hair does not cover either eye
- The face is clear enough to compare with the passport photo
Common Hayya photo upload errors
If Hayya rejects the upload, match the message to the likely problem:
- Face not detected: use a clearer, well-focused portrait with the full face visible.
- More than one face detected: crop out other people, printed faces and face-like objects in the background.
- Left eye or right eye closed: choose a frame in which both eyes are naturally open.
- Hair covering an eye: move the hair away from both eyes and retake the photo.
- Turn head left or right: retake the image facing the camera directly, with the head centred.
- Photo does not closely match the passport: use a current image in which you are readily recognisable from the passport photo.
- Invalid file type or file size: save the portrait as JPG or JPEG and keep it below 2 MB.
- Unable to extract passport details: upload a sharper, glare-free image of the complete passport biographical page. This error concerns the passport upload, not the personal portrait.
Get a Qatar e-visa photo online!
Need to get a photo to apply for a Qatari visa? Visafoto can help you! It has been helping people get their photos for various documents, including visas, passports, and IDs, since 2013.
Just take a picture of yourself under good lighting, with proper posing and outfit for an ID, then upload it to our tool below.
Visafoto will instantly adjust the background, size, format and quality to satisfy the Qatar e-visa through Hayya specifications. You will get a digital photo you can instantly use for your electronic application!
First, take a photo of yours like this one:
You will have two photos. A digital one is for electronic applications and another one is for printing.
Qatar e-visa fees
The current Hayya descriptions for the A1, A2, A3 and A4 routes show a fee of QAR 100, payable after final approval. These permits are described as single-entry, non-refundable and non-transferable. Some A1 applicants may qualify for an exemption under conditions determined by the authorities.
The visa fee does not necessarily include other travel costs, such as health insurance or accommodation. Pay only the amount displayed in your Hayya account for the application concerned.
Qatar e-visa validity
Do not assume that every Hayya e-visa permits a 30-day stay beginning on the issue date. The period in which the permit can be used and the allowed length of stay depend on the approved route and the conditions shown on the permit.
After approval, check the entry permit for its use-by date, number of entries and permitted stay. Travel with the same passport used for the application and make sure it remains valid for the trip.
FAQ
Which Hayya visa should I select?
Use the live Qatar visa checker and the eligibility questions in Hayya. The system may direct a tourist to A1, an eligible GCC resident to A2, a holder of a qualifying visa or residence permit to A3, or an eligible companion of a GCC citizen to A4. Do not choose a route from an old country list.
What photo format does Hayya accept?
The current portal accepts a personal photo in JPG or JPEG format with a file size below 2 MB. It must show one detectable face, centred and facing forward, with both eyes open and not covered by hair.
Why did Hayya reject my personal photo?
Common reasons include no face detected, more than one face in the image, a closed or covered eye, a turned or off-centre head, an invalid file type, a file over 2 MB or a face that cannot be matched closely enough to the passport photo. Correct the issue named in the portal and upload a new image.
Is the passport image separate from the personal photo?
Yes. Upload a clear image of the passport biographical page in the passport field and a separate personal portrait in the photo field. A passport extraction error must be corrected by replacing the passport image, not the portrait.
When is the QAR 100 fee paid?
The current A1, A2, A3 and A4 descriptions say that the QAR 100 fee is paid after final approval. Check the amount in your Hayya account before paying because exemptions or route-specific conditions may apply.
Do I need health insurance and accommodation for Qatar?
Qatar's entry guidance generally requires approved visitor health insurance. Hayya also asks for accommodation or host details according to the selected route. Follow the exact checklist generated for your application because the evidence required can differ by category.
Last updated: September 17, 2026.