Qatar Suspends Visa-on-Arrival for Pakistanis: What Travellers Must Do Now (2026)

Qatar has suspended its visa-on-arrival (VoA) facility for Pakistani nationals, effective immediately from 31 March 2026. The Embassy of Pakistan in Doha confirmed the change in an official advisory, and it remains in force with no announced end date. If you were planning to fly to Doha and get your visa stamped at the airport, that option is gone for now — here is what actually changed and what you need to do instead.

What exactly changed

Until this suspension, many Pakistani travellers relied on Qatar’s visa-on-arrival system, obtaining a short-term entry permit directly at Hamad International Airport. Under the new rules, that option no longer applies to Pakistani passport holders. The Embassy of Pakistan in Doha posted the advisory on 30 March 2026, stating that the “visa-on-arrival facility is currently not available due to the prevailing situation,” and urged all travellers to secure the appropriate visa before flying.

The embassy did not publicly detail the specific trigger, though regional reporting has linked the move to heightened security concerns in the broader Middle East around the same period. Whatever the cause, the practical effect for Pakistani families, business travellers, and transit passengers is the same: arriving in Doha without a pre-approved visa now risks being turned back or held at immigration.

What Pakistani travellers must do now

Anyone travelling to Qatar from Pakistan — for tourism, business, family visits, or transit — must arrange an entry visa before departure. The main route for leisure and family travel is Qatar’s Hayya platform, originally built for the 2022 World Cup and now maintained as the country’s standard e-visa and entry-permit system for eligible visitors. A valid, pre-approved Hayya permit functions as your visa and should be validated before you book your ticket.

• Apply for your Qatar visa before booking flights
• Use the official Hayya portal or a Qatari embassy/consulate
• Carry printed and digital copies of your approval
• Confirm hotel and return ticket details match your application
• Check the Pakistan Embassy Doha advisory for updates
• Avoid unverified agents promising “arrival visas”

Why this matters beyond Qatar

This suspension does not exist in isolation. Over the past year, several Gulf destinations have tightened entry rules for Pakistani nationals, including revised visit-visa conditions from the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The pattern for applicants is consistent: pre-approval is increasingly the default, and “figure it out on arrival” is no longer a safe strategy anywhere in the region. Building in extra time for visa approval before you commit to non-refundable flights and hotel bookings has become essential.

Quick answers

Can I still get a Qatar visa on arrival if I hold a valid Hayya permit? Yes — a pre-approved Hayya entry permit obtained before travel is not the same as the airport visa-on-arrival counter, and remains valid as your entry visa.

Does this affect transit passengers? Transit rules can differ depending on your onward itinerary and airline; confirm directly with your airline and the Hayya portal before assuming you qualify for visa-free transit.

Is the suspension permanent? No official end date has been given. It is described as tied to a “prevailing situation,” so status should be reconfirmed close to your travel date.

Where do I apply for a Qatar visa from Pakistan? Through Qatar’s official Hayya platform, or via a Qatari visa center or embassy channel — not through informal agents claiming to guarantee arrival visas.

Rules and processing timelines can change quickly, especially during a security-related suspension like this one. Always confirm the latest requirements on Qatar’s official Hayya portal and the Pakistan Embassy in Doha’s channels before finalising travel plans.