UAE residents of any nationality can visit Qatar on the Hayya GCC Resident Visa (A2), which costs QAR 100 and allows one stay of up to 30 days. Hayya’s own FAQ sets the main condition as a GCC residence permit valid for at least three months, and residents can also still get a visa on arrival at the airport.

Hayya is Qatar’s official e-visa platform. This guide covers who qualifies, the documents, the fee and stay limit, the accommodation rule that cancels applications, family members, and why driving to Qatar from the UAE needs a Saudi visa too.

Key Takeaways

  • The A2 visa is designed for GCC residents “regardless of their nationalities.” Your UAE residence permit needs at least three months of validity.
  • The fee is QAR 100, about AED 101, and it is non-refundable. You pay within 14 days of approval.
  • The A2 is single entry and allows up to 30 days from the date you enter Qatar.
  • You need proof of accommodation, either a hotel booking or a host registered on Hayya. Missing the 30-day deadline to add it cancels the application.
  • Qatar’s only land border is with Saudi Arabia, so a road trip from the UAE needs a Saudi visa and Hayya vehicle pre-registration for the Abu Samra crossing.

Which Qatar Visa Applies to a UAE Resident

Most UAE residents who do not already enter Qatar visa-free use the GCC Resident Visa (A2). Hayya describes it as “designed for GCC residents regardless of their nationalities.” It is one of five visit visa types on the Hayya platform.

Hayya visa Who it is for Relevance to UAE residents
Tourist Visa (A1) Tourism and leisure visitors For family members who do not hold GCC residence
GCC Resident Visa (A2) GCC residents of any nationality The main route for UAE residents
Visa with ETA (A3) Nationals or residents of specific countries For holders of a valid UK, US, Schengen, Canada, Australia or New Zealand visa or residence
Companion of GCC Citizen (A4) People traveling with a GCC citizen For a non-GCC companion traveling with an Emirati citizen
Visa-Free for US Citizens (F1) US passport holders US citizens living in the UAE

Many nationalities need no visa at all. Qatar Tourism’s visa checker says citizens of over 102 countries are eligible for a free visa on arrival, so check your passport first.

Visa on arrival or A2 in advance?

Hayya confirms that on-arrival visas are still available for GCC residents. Qatar Tourism lists the on-arrival fee for GCC residents as QAR 100 at the airport, the same as the A2.

Applying in advance removes the risk of being refused at the counter after you have flown. Depending on your nationality, Qatar Tourism’s checker may also require a hotel booked through Discover Qatar before you can use the visa on arrival.

Eligibility and Documents for the A2

Hayya’s eligibility rule is short. You must hold a valid GCC residence permit, valid for 3 months from the date of the application, and you should be traveling to Qatar from your country of residency.

Requirement Detail from Hayya
Passport At least 3 months of validity from the date of arrival in Qatar
GCC residence ID Copy of your Emirates ID, valid at least 3 months from the date of arrival
Return ticket Required at check-in if you travel by air
Accommodation Hotel booking or a registered Hayya host
Fee QAR 100, non-refundable

Hayya states the residence condition two ways. Its eligibility answer counts three months from the application date, while its requirements list counts three months from arrival, so make sure your Emirates ID covers both.

Does my job title matter?

There is no list of eligible professions. Hayya says the job title you select must be identical to the job title on your valid residence permit, and you can choose “others” and type it if it is not listed.

A mismatch between the form and your residence record is a common reason for delays. Copy the title from your residence details rather than writing your current role.

Fee, Payment Deadline and Refunds

The Hayya e-visa fee is QAR 100. Hayya states it is non-refundable “regardless of your travel status or arrangements.” The fee and the payment rules are in the Hayya general FAQ.

You pay after approval, not when you apply. The payment must be made within 14 days from the time the status changes to “Pending Payment”, or the application is cancelled.

Length of Stay and Extensions

The A2 is a single-entry visa that allows its holder to remain in Qatar for up to 30 days from the date of entry. Once you leave, you need a new visa for the next trip.

If you want to stay longer, Hayya says extensions are handled by the Directorate of Passports at Hamad International Airport, before the visa expires. Your accommodation booking must also cover the extra days.

The Accommodation Rule That Cancels Applications

Hayya requires proof of where you will stay. Its two options are a booked hotel uploaded to the application, or a host in Qatar who registers through “Host Family and Friends”.

If your status shows “Pending Accommodation Confirmation,” you have 30 days from the notification email to add your accommodation. Miss it and the application is cancelled, and you start again.

A hotel booking must cover your whole stay with no gaps, matching your flight dates. Hayya also recommends carrying the booking, because it can be checked at any point during your trip.

What actually happens after you apply

The application moves through statuses on your Hayya dashboard: pending, pending accommodation if needed, pending payment, then approved. You cannot start a second application while one is pending.

Once approved and paid, you receive a single-entry e-visa by email. Hayya warns that the printed Hayya card is no longer valid for entry, so carry the e-visa itself.

Family Members

Each adult GCC resident applies separately. Hayya says that if your spouse holds a valid GCC residence permit, they should apply for their own A2.

Children under 18 can be added to your application. If a child holds GCC residence, they get an A2, and if not, they need a Tourist Visa (A1) or a Visa with ETA (A3).

Parents visiting you in the UAE on a UAE visit visa do not qualify for the A2. They need the visa that matches their own passport, and our guide to sponsoring a UAE visit visa for relatives covers their UAE side of the trip.

Driving to Qatar From the UAE

Qatar’s only land border is with Saudi Arabia, at the Abu Samra crossing. Driving from the UAE therefore means crossing Saudi territory first, which needs a Saudi visa, and our guide to the Saudi visa for UAE residents covers it.

Hayya runs a vehicle pre-registration service for Abu Samra. Qatar Tourism describes it as pre-registration for vehicles, facilitating smoother entry through the Abu Samra border.

Carry an International Driving Permit and check that your car insurance covers both Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Our guide to the international driving permit in the UAE explains where to get one.

Health Insurance

Qatar Tourism recommends that all visitors have a valid health insurance policy covering Qatar’s medical facilities. You can buy a policy on arrival if you do not have one.

Check whether your UAE health plan covers treatment abroad before you rely on it. If it does not, our guide to travel insurance for UAE residents explains what a short-trip policy should include.

Passport Changes and Corrections

If you renew your passport after the visa is issued, update your Hayya application with the new passport details. Hayya issues an updated e-visa, and traveling on a mismatched passport can get you denied boarding.

You can edit an approved application until its “Last Entry Date,” but edits send it back to “Pending” for review. No changes are possible once you are inside Qatar.

Before You Leave the UAE

A short trip to Qatar does not affect your UAE residence while your permit stays valid. If you have an unpaid debt or a pending case, check your UAE travel ban status online before you book.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do UAE residents need a visa for Qatar?

Yes, unless your passport is visa-exempt. Most UAE residents use the Hayya GCC Resident Visa (A2) or the visa on arrival, both of which cost QAR 100.

How much is the Qatar visa for UAE residents?

QAR 100, about AED 101, whether you apply in advance on Hayya or take a visa on arrival. The Hayya fee is non-refundable.

How long can I stay in Qatar on the A2 visa?

Up to 30 days from the date of entry, on a single entry. Extensions are handled by the Directorate of Passports at Hamad International Airport.

How long must my UAE residence be valid for the A2?

At least three months. Hayya counts it from the application date in one answer and from the arrival date in another, so make sure your Emirates ID covers both.

Can I get a Qatar visa on arrival as a UAE resident?

Yes. Hayya confirms on-arrival visas are still available for GCC residents, though some nationalities must first book a hotel through Discover Qatar.

Is my profession eligible for the Qatar GCC resident visa?

All professions can apply. You must select the job title exactly as it appears on your residence permit, or choose “others” and type it in.

Can I take my children to Qatar on my A2 application?

Yes. Children under 18 can be added to your application, and they get an A2 if they hold GCC residence or an A1 or A3 if they do not.

Can I drive from Dubai to Qatar?

Yes, but the route crosses Saudi Arabia, so you need a Saudi visa as well as the Qatar visa. Pre-register your vehicle on Hayya for the Abu Samra border.

Can I work in Qatar on a Hayya visa?

No. Hayya states that a visitor on a Hayya e-visa is not permitted to work in Qatar by law.

What happens if I do not add accommodation in time?

Hayya cancels the application if accommodation is not confirmed within 30 days of the notification email. You then have to submit a new application.

Official Sources

Visa types, fees, stay limits and accommodation rules checked on the Hayya platform and Qatar Tourism’s visa page in October 2026.

This guide is for informational purposes only. Visa rules and fees are set by the Qatari authorities and are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with the relevant official authority before proceeding with any application or transaction.