Qatar allows Pakistanis visa-free entry for up to 30 days

Qatar has allowed Pakistani citizens to enter the country visa-free for up to 30 days, subject to certain conditions, including a confirmed hotel reservation made through its official Discover Qatar platform, according to a Qatar e-Visa website.

In a blog published earlier this month, the website said Pakistani nationals could avail themselves of visa-free entry for up to 30 days, or for the duration of their hotel reservation.

It said the hotel must be booked exclusively through Discover Qatar, as reservations made through other booking platforms would not be accepted.

Travellers must also hold a passport valid for at least three months from the date of entry, a confirmed return air ticket and health insurance issued by an accredited insurance company.

The website also outlined other visa options available to Pakistani nationals, including tourist, business, family and work visas, as well as the Hayya e-Visa.

Depending on the purpose of travel, applicants may be required to submit additional documents, such as an invitation letter, employer sponsorship or proof of relationship with a family member residing in Qatar.

Applications for relevant visa categories can be submitted through the official online portal or at the Qatari embassy. The required documents generally include a valid passport, recent photographs, travel arrangements and confirmed accommodation details.

For certain electronic travel authorisation (ETA) or Hayya e-Visa categories, applicants must also hold a valid visa or residence permit for the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, a Schengen country, Australia or New Zealand.

The development comes amid reports of difficulties faced by Pakistani nationals seeking Qatari visas. Business Recorder reported in September that Qatar had stopped issuing visas on arrival to Pakistani citizens, while applications submitted through the Hayya portal had remained pending for months without decisions.

The publication’s correspondent had also received complaints from Pakistani applicants who said they had approached the Foreign Office but had not received satisfactory responses.

The reported visa restrictions had also affected Pakistanis seeking residence permits for Finland, as applicants are required to appear in person for identity and biometric verification at the VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Doha.

The visa-free entry facility outlined by the Qatar e-Visa website provides an alternative route for eligible Pakistani travellers, subject to fulfilment of the stated conditions.