Do you need a transit visa for Qatar (Doha)?
Airside transit is visa-free; a free transit visa (up to 96 hours) is available, and many nationalities get visa-free entry to leave the airport.
Staying airside (not leaving the airport)
Connecting airside through Hamad International Airport without entering Qatar does not require a visa.
Leaving the airport during your layover
To leave the airport during a layover, many nationalities get visa-free entry; others can apply for a free transit visa valid up to 96 hours.
Key transit schemes & facts
- Transit visa: free of charge and valid up to 96 hours — but it is tied to the airline: both your inbound and onward flights normally have to be on Qatar Airways.
- Apply online in advance (Hayya portal / Discover Qatar), typically 7–90 days before arrival, or at the transit desk on arrival at Hamad International. Layover length conditions apply — commonly more than 5 hours when applying ahead, or 8+ hours at the airport.
- The visa itself is free; a Discover Qatar stopover or tour package is a separate paid product and carries its own processing fee.
- Visa-free entry is available to a wide list of nationalities.
- A confirmed onward ticket is required.
Official source
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a transit visa to connect through Qatar (Doha)?
Airside transit is visa-free; a free transit visa (up to 96 hours) is available, and many nationalities get visa-free entry to leave the airport.
Can you transit airside through Qatar (Doha) without a visa?
Connecting airside through Hamad International Airport without entering Qatar does not require a visa.
What if you want to leave the airport during a layover in Qatar (Doha)?
To leave the airport during a layover, many nationalities get visa-free entry; others can apply for a free transit visa valid up to 96 hours.
Check the visa you'll need at your destination
Beyond transit, you'll need to know the visa rules for where you're actually going.
Open the visa checker →