Hayya Platform Guide: Qatar’s Official e-Visa Portal

The Hayya Platform (hayya.qa) is Qatar’s official digital portal for e-visa applications, border entry management, and event access. Launched to replace Qatar’s legacy visa system, Hayya handles everything from tourist visa applications to GCC resident permits and Abu Samra land border crossings through its Hayya Move feature. Whether you need a 30-day tourist visa or want to host family members in Doha, this guide covers how the platform works, what visa types are available, and how to use every feature effectively.

What Is the Hayya Platform?

The Hayya Platform is Qatar’s centralized government portal for managing all electronic visa services. Operated under the Ministry of Interior, the platform replaced the older e-visa portal and became the primary digital entry point for visitors, residents’ guests, and transit travelers heading to Qatar.

Available at hayya.qa, the platform serves three main functions:

• E-Visa Application – Apply for tourist, GCC resident, ETA, and companion visas entirely online
• Host Family & Friends – Qatari residents and citizens can invite guests and manage their visa sponsorship
• Hayya Move – Digital border crossing management for the Abu Samra land crossing with Saudi Arabia

The platform also lets applicants check their visa status in real time, download approved e-visas, and access entry permits for Qatar-hosted events and exhibitions.

Visa Types Available on Hayya

Hayya organizes Qatar’s visa categories into clearly defined types, each with its own eligibility rules, fees, and permitted stay duration. Here is a breakdown of every visa type available through the platform:

For a detailed comparison of every visa category, see our complete guide to Qatar visa types.

Tourist Visa (A1)

The A1 Tourist Visa is the most common e-visa option for visitors traveling to Qatar for leisure and tourism. Applicants from eligible countries can apply entirely online through Hayya, pay the QAR 100 fee, and receive approval within 7-14 business days. The visa permits a single entry for stays up to 30 days.

GCC Resident Visa (A2)

The A2 visa targets residents of Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE) regardless of their nationality. This makes it straightforward for expatriates living in the Gulf to visit Qatar without additional embassy visits.

ETA Visa (A3)

The A3 Electronic Travel Authorization is available to nationals and residents of specific countries listed by Qatar’s immigration authorities. It functions as a pre-approved entry permit that simplifies the arrival process at Hamad International Airport.

Companion Visa (A4)

The A4 visa is exclusively for companions traveling with GCC citizens. This category recognizes that GCC nationals often travel with domestic staff, personal assistants, or family members who hold non-GCC passports.

Visa-Free Entry (F1)

US passport holders benefit from a dedicated F1 visa-free entry category that permits stays up to 90 days. Unlike other visa types, F1 does not require a pre-arrival application – US citizens simply pay a $21 USD entry fee upon arrival. This is the longest permitted stay available to any nationality without a visa.

Who Does Not Need a Hayya Visa?

Qatar grants visa-free entry to citizens of over 100 countries, meaning many visitors do not need to use the Hayya Platform at all. The visa-free categories break down as follows:

90-day visa-free entry (no application needed):
– All EU member states (except Ireland)
– United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein
– Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Malaysia, Serbia, Seychelles

30-day visa-free entry (no application needed):
– Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand
– Georgia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa, and many others

Important note: Some 30-day visa-free nationalities (India, Pakistan, Thailand) must present a confirmed hotel reservation booked through Discover Qatar for their stay. US citizens can enter multiple times within 90 days by paying $21 USD on initial entry.

GCC citizens from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE enjoy full freedom of movement and can enter Qatar with just a national ID card.

For the complete list of required documents, see our Qatar visa requirements checklist.

How to Apply on the Hayya Platform

Applying through Hayya follows a straightforward online process. Here is the step-by-step workflow:

Step 1: Create Your Hayya Account
Visit hayya.qa and register with your email address. You will need to verify your email before proceeding.

Step 2: Select Your Visa Type
Choose the appropriate visa category (A1, A2, A3, or A4) based on your nationality and purpose of travel.

Step 3: Complete the Application Form
Fill in personal details, passport information, travel dates, and accommodation details. Ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity from your intended arrival date.

Step 4: Upload Required Documents
Submit a passport bio-page scan, a recent passport-sized photo, and any additional documents required for your specific visa type. A2 and A4 applicants need proof of GCC residency or citizenship.

Step 5: Pay the Fee
Pay the QAR 100 visa fee (approximately $27 USD) using a credit or debit card. The platform accepts Visa, Mastercard, and other major card networks.

Step 6: Track and Download
After submission, you can track your application status through the platform. Once approved, download your e-visa and print a copy for presentation at the immigration counter.

For a detailed walkthrough with screenshots, see our step-by-step application guide.

Processing Times and Fast-Track Options

Standard e-visa processing through Hayya typically takes 7-14 business days. During peak travel seasons (November-March, major events), processing may take slightly longer.

Fast-track processing is available for certain visa types and reduces the waiting period to approximately 5-6 business days. This option comes with an additional fee and is recommended for travelers with tight schedules.

Transit visa applications are generally processed faster, within 3-5 business days, as they involve shorter stays and simpler eligibility checks.

Tips for faster approval:
– Apply at least 3 weeks before your travel date
– Ensure all uploaded documents are clear and legible
– Double-check passport number and personal details before submitting
– Use a passport with more than 6 months remaining validity

Hayya Move: Abu Samra Land Border

The Hayya Move feature handles digital border crossing management for travelers entering Qatar by land through the Abu Samra border crossing with Saudi Arabia. This is particularly popular during:

• Weekend trips from Saudi Arabia to Doha
• Major events like the FIFA World Cup, Formula 1, and cultural exhibitions
• Seasonal travel during Eid holidays and school breaks

Through Hayya Move, travelers can pre-register their crossing, submit vehicle and passenger details, and receive digital entry approval before arriving at the border. This significantly reduces wait times compared to on-arrival processing.

Hosting Family and Friends

Qatari residents and citizens can use the Hayya Platform to invite and sponsor family members or friends visiting Qatar. The host creates an invitation through the platform, which the guest then uses to complete their visa application. This process:

• Simplifies the sponsorship paperwork that previously required embassy visits
• Allows the host to track the guest’s visa status
• Enables the host to manage multiple invitations simultaneously
• Works for both short visits and extended family stays

Fees and Payment

Payment is made online through the Hayya Platform using credit or debit cards. The platform does not accept cash payments or bank transfers for e-visa applications.

Frequently Asked Questions