So, after visiting the United Arab Emirates three times (Dubai and Abu Dhabi), I was again tempted to visit the middle east. And I zeroed upon Qatar - one of the richest countries of the world by per capita income. And I must say, the capital Doha is really a great place to visit. I stayed there for 5 nights and it was too short !! I think the minimum time to stay in Doha should be at least a week to 10 days. There is so so much to see and explore in Doha, forget about other places in Qatar. Still, if you don't have the time to stay for so long, make sure to stay for at least 3 days to explore the basic areas of Doha and to experience the culture!
So, in this article, i will give full details on the documents required to visit Qatar as an Indian citizen. So, lets begin.
As already said, Qatar is visa free for Indians. Qatar provides visa free access to Indians for upto 30 days That means you don't need a pre-arranged visa to visit the country.
But there is a slight catch - You MUST do your hotel booking from Discover Qatar website https://www.discoverqatar.qa/
Please note that failure to do your hotel booking from Discover Qatar website can lead to you being denied entry to Qatar.
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A visa waiver for a period of 30 days can be granted on arrival given the following conditions:
The passenger(s) must have a confirmed return ticket.
Passengers must provide a confirmed hotel reservation booked through the Discover Qatar website only for the entire duration of stay subject to minimum of two nights booking.
There is no fee to be paid for entry to Qatar - It's FREE !!
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Also, you must know that if you book your hotel booking for 4-5 days through Discover Qatar website, then you will be given stay permit only for those days +2 additional days. So, that means you cannot book hotel for 5 days through Discover Qatar website and hope to stay for 30 days.
Questions/Documents asked to me during Forex collection
Return Flight Tickets
Copy of Passport
Copy of PAN Card
Copy of Hotel Booking through Discover Qatar Website
Questions/Documents asked to me by Flight Check in Counter in India
Passport (Valid for 6 months after departing Qatar)
Return Flight Tickets
Copy of Hotel Booking through Discover Qatar Website
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Questions/Documents asked to me by Immigration Authorities in India
Passport (of course!)
Purpose of travel and duration of travel
Qatar Visa (I said Visa on arrival and then they checked hotel booking through Discover Qatar website)
Questions/Documents asked to me by Immigration Authorities in Qatar
Passport (of course!)
Hotel booking through Discover Qatar website.
Remember that before proceeding to Qatar Immigration, you must go to the Discover Qatar counter where they will verify your hotel booking and provide a stamp.
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I had booked my hotel for 5 nights and I was given a stay permit for 7 days. I stayed at a 5 star hotel named "Golden Tulip Doha". The cost was 400 Qatari Riyals per night for 02 persons (including breakfast). So, total i spent 2000 Qatari Riyals for 5 nights (Approx Rs 47000)
Check in time: 15:00 hrs
Check out time: 12:00 hrs
Amendments and Cancellations (As per hotel terms and conditions)
Once a booking is made, amendments are not allowed.
Booking is refundable if cancelled 48 hours before the arrival date and is subject to a Service fee of QAR 100 per booking
Cancellations within 48 hours of arrival are subject to 100% cancellation fee
The following exceptions apply (Subject to Service fee of QAR 100 per booking):
Flight was cancelled or changed by the airline.
Compassionate grounds, supported by some documentary evidence, such as a positive PCR result preventing travel.
Visa rejection by the authorities upon arrival into Qatar.
The State of Qatar rules of entry into Qatar change in a way that materially affects your booking.
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Distance from Golden Tulip Hotel to Metro Stations
Nearest Metro Station (National Museum Metro Station): 1.5 kms (about 15 minutes walking distance)
Nearest Metro Station 2 (Souk Waqif Metro Station): 1.2 kms (about 12-15 minutes walking)
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Distance from Golden Tulip Hotel to Popular Attractions
Doha Hamad Airport: 10 kms
National Museum: 1.2 kms
Souk Waqif: 1.2 kms
Museum of Islamic Arts Park: 750 metres (by walking)
The Corniche Doha: 500 metres (by walking)
The Pearl Monument Doha: 1.2 kms (by walking)
Doha Fort: 1.8 kms
Al Bidda Park: 4 kms
Katara Cultural Village: 12 kms
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So, this article was all about entry into Qatar for Indians. More articles will follow. So keep checking my website.
Have any question? Leave a comment in the comment section below.
(Last updated: 27.12.2024)
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