Qatar Introduces Updated Visa Rules for Indian Tourists

The Qatar government has introduced new on-arrival visa rules for Indian citizens traveling to the country as tourists.

Under the visa-free entry category of Qatar visas, Indian tourists will get an on-arrival tourist visa in the emirate provided they fulfill certain eligibility conditions. This visa-free entry through Qatar’s waiver program provides on-arrival visa free of charge.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has updated these visa rules by introducing a new set of conditions which includes the non-extension of visa duration beyond 30 days and a mandatory possession of a credit card, reported Gulf Times.

As per the website of MoI, “Nationals of India can obtain on-arrival tourist visa facility spend up to 30 days in Qatar (not extendable).”

Earlier, Indian nationals could extend their tourist visa for another 30 days to make the total stay of up to 60 days. But with the newly introduced changes, that facility has effectively come to an end.

Another significant change in this visa facility is related to credit card possession. Updated conditions make it mandatory for the applicant to possess a valid credit card. If a family is visiting Qatar, the male head of the family will have to show a valid credit card.

“Applicant must be in possession of a valid credit card. (Mandatory to present a valid credit card in the name of the traveler, for the family’s only for the paterfamilias),” the MoI said.

The term “paterfamilias” refers to the male head of the family.

Other than these two conditions, applicant’s passport must have its validity for at least six months from the date of arrival in the Gulf country. The traveler must have a return ticket and proof of confirmed hotel reservation.

Qatar, which is hosting the 2022 Soccer World Cup, has recently enforced reformed visa system for migrant workers. It has abolished the exit visa system for these workers and allowed them to leave the country without asking permission from their employer. Earlier migrant workers had to take official permissions from their employers before leaving Qatar.

The ministry said on Oct.28, “As per the amendment, the expatriate workers that come under the Labor Law can leave the country without obtaining a prior permit, while the employer can restrict up to 5% of his workforce to obtain a prior consent because of the nature of their work.”