Pakistanis can get a Qatar visa for Pakistani passport holders in two main ways in 2026: a visa on arrival at Hamad International Airport, which only works if you have a hotel booked through Discover Qatar, or a Hayya A1 tourist e-visa applied for online before you fly. Both cost QAR 100 in government visa fees, according to Visit Qatar. There is no visa-free entry for Pakistanis.
Last checked: 20 October 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Qatar visit visa for Pakistan: the three routes
Most people searching for a Qatar visit visa for Pakistan want a short tourist or family trip. For that, you choose between the two tourist routes below. Work, study and long family stays need a sponsor in Qatar and are not covered by either.
| Route | Where you apply | Government fee | Key condition | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival (hotel-linked) | At Hamad International Airport | QAR 100, paid at the airport | Hotel booked and paid through Discover Qatar, return ticket | Hotel stays where you are sure of your documents |
| Hayya A1 tourist e-visa | Online at hayya.qa | QAR 100, paid after approval | Accommodation proof (hotel or host) uploaded with the application | Anyone who wants approval before buying flights, or staying with relatives |
| Sponsored visa (work, family residence, business) | Through the Qatari employer or sponsor | Varies | A sponsor in Qatar | Jobs and long stays |
At roughly Rs 76 to 78 per riyal in October 2026, QAR 100 works out to about Rs 7,600 to Rs 7,800. Your bank or card rate will decide the exact figure.
Qatar visa on arrival for Pakistanis: the Discover Qatar hotel rule
This is the rule that catches most travellers. Discover Qatar, the destination management arm of Qatar Airways, lists Pakistan alongside India, Thailand and Iran as nationalities that must book accommodation through its platform to receive a visa on arrival. A booking on Booking.com, Agoda or directly with a hotel does not count for this purpose.
Qatar first applied this rule to Pakistani, Indian and Iranian passport holders in April 2022, and the Qatar Tribune reported that the booking must cover the whole stay, even if you plan to visit family. It still applies in 2026.
The Discover Qatar visa-on-arrival hotel terms are strict:
- You can book a minimum of 2 nights and a maximum of 60 nights.
- Once a booking is confirmed, amendments are not allowed.
- Cancelling 48 hours or more before arrival is refundable minus a QAR 100 service fee per booking.
- Cancelling within 48 hours of arrival costs 100% of the booking.
- Once the booking has been used to apply for Hayya or obtain a visa, it becomes non-refundable.
Because changes are not allowed, check the spelling of every name against the passport before you pay.
Documents for a Qatar visa for Pakistani travellers
Whichever route you take, keep these in a single folder, printed and as PDFs on your phone:
- Passport valid for at least three months from the date of arrival, which is the minimum on Visit Qatar. Six months is safer, because some airlines in Pakistan check against older rules.
- Confirmed return or onward ticket within the stay you are allowed.
- Discover Qatar hotel voucher (visa on arrival) or the Hayya entry permit (e-visa).
- Health insurance. Visit Qatar currently says it recommends a valid health insurance policy for all visitors. If you plan to extend your stay, buy a policy from an insurer approved by Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health.
- Polio vaccination certificate. Pakistan is still a polio-endemic country, and travellers are often asked for proof at departure. Get the digital certificate from NADRA’s National Immunisation Management System (NIMS) using your CNIC and passport number.
- Card or cash to pay the QAR 100 airport fee and show you can cover your stay.
How to apply for the Hayya A1 e-visa
The Hayya platform is run by the Qatari government and is the only official site for tourist e-visas. Third-party “Qatar visa” websites charge extra for the same form.
- Open hayya.qa or the Hayya to Qatar app and create an account with your email.
- Choose your nationality (Pakistan). The site then shows the visa types open to you.
- Select the A1 tourist visa, fill in your passport details and upload a passport scan and a photo.
- Add accommodation: a hotel booking, or your host’s details if you are staying with family or friends.
- Submit. After approval you are asked to pay the QAR 100 fee by card, then the entry permit is issued.
- Print the permit and carry it with your passport.
Hayya does not publish a fixed processing time. Apply at least two to three weeks before you travel, and do not buy non-refundable flights until the permit is issued.
Hayya also lists an A3 entry visa. It is meant for people who already hold a valid visa or residence permit from certain countries. If you have a UK, US, Schengen, Canadian or Australian visa, check on Hayya whether A3 applies to you.
Step by step at Hamad International Airport (visa on arrival)
- Book and pay for your hotel on discoverqatar.qa for every night you will be in Qatar.
- Book a return ticket that falls within those dates.
- At check-in in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad or Peshawar, show the hotel voucher and return ticket. Airlines can refuse boarding if documents are missing.
- On arrival in Doha, follow the signs to immigration. You may be sent to a Discover Qatar desk first to confirm the booking.
- Pay the QAR 100 visa fee and have your passport stamped.
How long can you stay, and processing time
For the visa on arrival, the length of stay follows your Discover Qatar booking, which can run up to 60 nights under Discover Qatar’s terms. For the Hayya A1, the stay is set on the entry permit, usually 30 days. Extensions are possible in some cases through Hayya, but they are not guaranteed, so plan your return within the first approved period.
| Item | Visa on arrival | Hayya A1 e-visa |
|---|---|---|
| Processing time | Decided at the airport on arrival | No fixed official time; allow 2 to 3 weeks |
| Visa fee | QAR 100 | QAR 100 |
| Hotel cost | Discover Qatar rates, 2 to 60 nights | Any hotel, or stay with a host |
| Risk | Refused at airport if documents are wrong | Refused before you fly, lower cost |
Common mistakes Pakistani travellers make
- Booking the hotel on another website and expecting a visa on arrival.
- Booking only two nights while planning a two-week stay with relatives.
- A name on the Discover Qatar voucher that does not match the passport (Discover Qatar does not allow amendments).
- A one-way ticket, or a return date beyond the booked stay.
- Using an unofficial “Hayya” website that adds service charges.
- Leaving the polio certificate in checked baggage.
What to do if you are refused
If Hayya rejects your application, you are not charged the visa fee, because it is paid only after approval. If you were using a Discover Qatar booking, read the cancellation terms before reapplying: a booking that has been used for a visa is non-refundable. For problems in Qatar, contact the Embassy of Pakistan in Doha through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
If you are comparing short trips, our guides to the Maldives visa for Pakistanis and the UAE visit visa cover two other popular options. Heading to Saudi Arabia after Doha? See the Saudi visit visa guide, and keep your Pakistani SIM active for OTPs (here is how to check your number).
Frequently asked questions
Is Qatar visa free for Pakistanis in 2026?
No. Pakistanis need either a visa on arrival linked to a Discover Qatar hotel booking or a Hayya A1 e-visa obtained before travel.
What is the Qatar visa fee for Pakistani passport holders?
QAR 100, about Rs 7,600 to Rs 7,800. On arrival you pay it at the airport; on Hayya you pay it after approval.
Can I get a Qatar visa on arrival if I stay with relatives?
Not without a Discover Qatar hotel booking for your stay. If you will stay with family, apply for the Hayya A1 e-visa and enter your host’s details instead.
How long does the Hayya visa take for Pakistanis?
Hayya does not publish a fixed time. Apply two to three weeks before travel and wait for the entry permit before booking flights you cannot cancel.
How much passport validity do I need for Qatar?
Visit Qatar requires at least three months from your arrival date. Having six months avoids problems with airline check-in staff.
Is health insurance compulsory for a Qatar visit visa?
Visit Qatar currently describes it as recommended for visitors. Buy a policy from an MOPH-approved insurer if you plan to extend.
Can I cancel my Discover Qatar hotel if my plans change?
Yes, up to 48 hours before arrival with a QAR 100 fee, unless the booking has already been used for a visa or Hayya application, in which case it is non-refundable.
Sources
- Visit Qatar: Visas and entry requirements
- Hayya to Qatar (official e-visa platform)
- Discover Qatar: Mandatory hotels for visa on arrival
- Discover Qatar: VOA hotel terms
- Qatar Tribune: Hotel booking for entire stay must for visa on arrival
- Qatar Ministry of Public Health: Health insurance scheme
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan
