There are only two cases when applicants from Qatar will be exempt from the US visa requirement:

• You are residing in Qatar, but you are a passport holder of one of the countries under the US Visa Waiver Program.
• You hold dual citizenship. Qatari citizenship, and the citizenship of one of the countries under the US Visa Waiver Program.

There are 40 countries under the US Visa Waiver Program. If you are a national of one of the countries under this program, you only need a US Electronic Travel Authorization to enter the country.

US Visa Application Qatar

To apply for a US visa in Qatar you will need to follow a few steps. There are concrete procedures that you will need to complete, as a part of your application process.

The application process for a US visa in Qatar is as follows:

1. Check what kind of US visa you need.
2. Figure out where you should file your application.
3. Fill-in the right online application form.
4. Pay the visa application fee.
5. Schedule a US visa appointment.
6. Get the required documents for a US visa.
7. Visit the US Embassy to attend the visa interview.

Check what type of US visa you need

There are several visa types categorized according to the purpose of travel to the US. If you are applying for a US visa in Doha, you should first check the type of visa you need. The whole application process depends on the type of visa you need to obtain, including the required documents.

Note that this article is for those applying for a nonimmigrant visa to US. If you wish to apply for a US immigrant visa in Qatar, you should check our article on “Immigrant Visas to the United States.”

Check where in Qatar you need to apply

All those applying for a US visa from Qatar should submit their applications and attend the interview at the US Embassy in Qatar.

US Embassy in Qatar

• Address: 22nd February Street, Al Luqta District, Doha, Qatar
• Phone: (974) 4496-6000
• Fax: (974) 4488-4298

Complete the online application form

Every US visa applicant, including children, will need to complete an online form. For US nonimmigrant visas you will need to fill out the DS-160 form. The form asks you several questions on your identity and your planned trip to the US. You will also need to upload a picture taken within the last six months.

When you complete the form, it will generate an alphanumeric barcode confirmation page. You need to print it and take it with you on the day of your interview at the embassy.

You can fill the DS-160 form online through:

• the Consular Electronic Application Center, or
• by using the services of a third party company such as VisaExpress.

Pay the US visa application fee & schedule a visa interview

Once you complete your application form, you should then pay the US visa application fee. Qatari residents need to pay the fee at one of the branches of the Commercial Bank of Qatar.

Note that the fee is nonrefundable. You can pay the fee in the Qatari riyal or US dollars.

Schedule a US visa appointment in Qatar

There are two ways to schedule a US visa interview in Doha:

• Through the call center.
• Online through the Official US Department of State Visa Service.

In both cases, you will need the receipt number printed on your bank receipt.

Collect the required documents for a US visa

The US Embassy in Qatar wants you to submit several documents, as a part of your application. Each of these documents should comply with the criteria set by the US authorities.

To apply you will need to obtain the standard requirements and the visa specific documents.

To apply for a US visa in Qatar, you need to submit the following documents:

• Confirmation page of completed DS-160 form.
• Your valid passport. You will need to submit your passport alongside with the other documents. Check if it is valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of planned stay in the US. It must also have at least one blank page.
• A recent US visa photograph. A photo of 5 x 5 cm size, taken in color and within the last 6 months is required. If you have successfully uploaded a photo to the DS-160 application form, then you are not required to submit another.
• Interview appointment confirmation page (if applicable).
• Application fee payment receipt.
• Previous US visas (if applicable).
• Medical confirmation on your health. The letter is required only if you have a medical condition that could have a bearing on your eligibility for a visa.
• Invitation Letter for a US tourist visa. When applying for a US visitor visa then this letter may also be required.

Note that according to the purpose of your trip to the US, you will need to submit extra documents aside these on the list.

After completing the document file, you can look for US travel health insurance options while in Qatar and find a plan that meets your needs for the whole period of stay.

Attend the visa interview

The visa interview is compulsory for every US visa applicant in Qatar under the age of 80. Children under the age of 14 should attend the interview with their parents.

A US visa interview in Qatar is crucial for your application. During the interview, the consular officer may take the decision on whether you should be granted with a visa or not.

Once you arrive at the embassy, you will need to submit the required documents at the window. You will receive a token and wait until your name is called for the interview.  The interview is a conversation between you and the visa officer. He or she will ask you questions on your intended trip to the US.

To increase your chances of having a successful US. Visitor Visa application in Qatar you can use the services of VisaExpress.

The experienced VisaExpress agents will carefully handle your application and offer the help you need during your US. Visitor Visa Application.

Click here to start your US. Visitor visa application now!

In the case of US Visa Denial

If your US visa application in Qatar is rejected, you can still reapply. Make sure you correct the mistakes made in the first application or improve your situation in order to comply with the US visa rules.

You will need to pay the US visa fee again and attend the interview as well.

The post US Visa Application Qatar appeared first on Visa Consulate - Visa Information For Any Country.

Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) have freedom of movement to Qatar, but there is an additional 80+ countries whose nationals can enter Qatar without a visa as well, while the rest can easily apply for a Qatar visa online or on arrival.

Countries That Can Enter Qatar Without a Visa

Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to enter Qatar for up to 90 days within a 180-day period:

• EU Member States (except Ireland)
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Armenia
• Bahamas
• Brazil
• Dominican Republic
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Malaysia
• Norway
• Russia
• Serbia
• Seychelles
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• Ukraine

Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to enter Qatar for stays of up to 30 days (extendable for another 30 days):

• Andorra
• Australia
• Azerbaijan
• Belarus
• Bolivia
• Brunei
• Canada
• Chile
• China
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Ecuador
• Georgia
• Guyana
• Hong Kong
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Japan
• Kazakhstan
• Lebanon
• Maldives
• Mexico
• Moldova
• Monaco
• New Zealand
• North Macedonia
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Rwanda
• San Marino
• Singapore
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Suriname
• Thailand
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Uruguay
• Vatican City
• Venezuela

In both cases, you can enter Qatar multiple times within the permitted period of time.

Conditional Qatar Visa Exemption

Citizens of India can enter Qatar without a visa for 30 days if they show:

• Passport with validity of at least another 6 months.
• A confirmed return ticket.
• A confirmed hotel reservation.

Citizens of Pakistan can enter Qatar without a visa for up to 30 days (not extendable) if they show:

• Passport with validity of at least another 6 months.
• A confirmed return ticket.
• A confirmed hotel reservation.
• A valid debit or credit card.
• Proof of vaccination against polio (if travelling directly from Pakistan)

Citizens of Rwanda can enter Qatar without a visa

Who Can Get Qatar Visa on Arrival?

In addition to the visa-exempt entry, citizens from the countries listed below can get a Qatar visa on arrival, which will allow them to enter both Qatar and Oman for up to 30 days:

• Andorra
• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Brunei
• Canada
• Cyprus
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Liechtenstein
• Luxembourg
• Malaysia
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• San Marino
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vatican City

Electronic Travel Authorisation for Qatar

You can get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for Qatar prior to travelling if you have a valid tourist visa or residence permit issued by one of the following countries:

• Any of the Schengen countries
• Canada
• Australia
• United Kingdom
• United States
• New Zealand

You have to apply for a Qatar ETA through the website qatarvisaservice.com by completing an online form and attaching electronic copies of the following documents:

• Proof of accommodation in Qatar, such as a hotel reservation or your host’s address
• Proof of a return-trip ticket or onward ticket
• A scanned copy of your passport.
• A scanned copy of your visa or residence permit to one of the aforementioned countries. It must be valid for at least thirty days.

Your application for the ETA will be reviewed by the Qatar Ministry of Interior. If it is approved, then you can travel to Qatar, and get your visa on arrival, which will allow you to stay in the country for up to 30 days.

Remember that the visa on arrival is valid for only a single entry, so when you leave you won’t be able to return unless you apply for a new ETA, even if you haven’t spent the entire 30 days.

Qatar Visa Requirements

When you apply for a Qatar visa, you have to submit electronic copies of the following documents (scanned with color):

• Your passport’s biographic information page (name and picture)
• A recent passport-size picture of you
• Your confirmed airline ticket.
• Proof of accommodation in Qatar, such as your hotel reservation.
• If you will stay with a relative/friend in Qatar:
  • A letter of authority from them
  • Their Qatar ID and residence visa
  • Copy of their passport’s bio page
  • A copy of their rental agreement document
• If you will stay with a friend/relative who is a Qatar citizen: Copy of their Qatar ID
• Requirements for residents of GCC countries:
  • Residence visa for the GCC country
  • ID card for the GCC country
• Any additional documents related to your travel purpose, such as:
  • Previous visas issued by Qatar, Schengen countries, UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada.
  • A document showing you have invested at least $8,000 in Qatar
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate

Your Qatar visa is processed by Qatar’s Ministry of Interior. If the immigration officers in charge of handling your application think it is necessary for you to submit additional documents, they will let you know.

Make sure that all the electronic copies of your documents are scanned in color and are clear and fully legible.

How to Apply for a Qatar Online Visa for Tourism?

Anyone who is not eligible for a visa on arrival or for visa-exempt entry will be able to apply for a Qatar visa online, prior to travelling. You can apply for a Qatar visa through the website qatarvisaservice.com or through the Qatar Airways website (for those travelling with the airline company).

To apply for the Qatar online visa, you have to:

• Complete the online application form and attach all the supporting documents.
• Pay the visa fee through your debit/credit card (Visa or Mastercard). The Qatar online visa fee is QAR 100 (appx. US$ 27).

You will receive the outcome of your visa application on your email. Print it out and bring it with you to Qatar.

Note: Citizens of Egypt, Israel, Kosovo and Palestine are not eligible to apply for a Qatar visa online. They should contact the nearest Qatar embassy or consulate to learn how to proceed about a visa application.

Applying for a Qatar Transit Visa

If you will pass through Qatar on your way to a third destination and have a layover that’s longer than five hours, then you can apply for a Qatar transit visa. The Qatar transit visa is issued for free, and you can use it to enter and stay in Qatar for up to four days (96 hours).

You apply for the Qatar transit visa online, in the same manner as you would apply for a tourist visa. You will receive the visa via email.

The Qatar transit visa can’t be extended beyond 4 days! If you wish to stay longer than 4 days, you can apply for a regular tourist visa.

To apply, you have to submit a scanned copy of your passport and an onward-travel ticket and visa for the third country of destination (if a visa is required). Both your inward and outward flights have to be operated by Qatar Airways.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Qatar Visa?

If all the documents are in order, and there are no problems regarding your application, then most visa applications for Qatar are processed within 4 working days.

How Much Is the Qatar Visa Fee?

The Qatar tourist visa fee is QAR 100 (apps. US$ 27). If there are people accompanying you, such as dependent family members, there is a fee of QAR 50 (appx. US$13) for each of them.

However, you may have to pay an additional service fee for the company handling your visa application.

What Is the Duration of a Qatar Visa?

A Qatar visa is issued for a duration of 30 days and for a single entry. The visa can be extended from within Qatar via the Ministry of Interior.

Qatar Visa Extension

You can extend your Qatar visa by applying online at the Qatar Ministry of Interior website (here). You have to:

• Enter your visa number, passport number, and the shown security code into the required fields to access the service.
• Select how long you want to extend your visa for.
• Pay the corresponding fee. For a 30-day visa extension, the fee is QAR 200.

Extending the Visa-Free Stay in Qatar

If you are from one of the countries allowed to enter Qatar without a visa for up to 30 days, you can extend your stay for another 30 days. You can apply for an extension at the Qatar Ministry of Interior’s Immigration Office at the Hamad International Airport or any of the MOI Service Centres across the country.

If you are from one of the countries that are allowed to stay in Qatar without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, you cannot extend your stay.

Overstaying beyond the permitted time means you have to pay a fee before you leave (QAR 200 per day, which is approximately US$ 54 per day).

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