Qatar Business Visa - Definitive Guide

Understanding that there are certain formalities and documentation to be done before travelling to another country whatever be the reason, is necessary. Doing business in Qatar requires the same. A business visa to Qatar will allow you to carry out different kinds of business errands like business meetings, conferences, exhibitions, deals with foreign companies, and others. The validity of the visa is for about 3 months permitting a stay of 30 days per visit. You can extend the visa as per the requirement afterwards as well. There is no visa waiver for this kind of Qatar visa.

In order to apply for a business visa to Qatar, you first need to fulfil the eligibility requirements. These criteria are the guidelines that must be followed at the time of visa application. The process for getting a business visa to Qatar, you will have to apply online to the official Qatar Visa Service website -  www.qatarvisaservice.com. The steps for the application of the visa are listed as follows:

1. Visit the official website of the Qatar Embassy online 
2. Fill out the Qatar business visa application form.
3. Attach scanned copies of the required documents as per the type.
4. Submit the documents along with the application form online.
5. Pay the needed visa fee for the processing.
6. Receive the visa by email after the completion of the process.

When you are filling out the forms, you must make sure that the information provided must be correct and must match the details in the documents and the passport. If incorrect or false information is detected, there is a possibility that the visa may get rejected. Such a visa rejection can affect future applications for a business visa to Qatar or any other visa to Qatar or any other country.

At the time of applying for the business visa, you will have to make sure that you match the eligibility criteria. There are certain parameters that you need to mind before filling out the application form. The eligibility criteria are as follows:

• You must have proof of business ownership and purpose of visit

• You must have proper proof of your business enterprise to show it to the authorities.
• If you have been invited to a business conference or to attend a business or client meeting, an invitation letter from the company must be provided to the embassy.
• You must meet the health requirements

• You must be healthy enough to travel to Qatar.
• You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
• You must meet the character requirements
• You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind doing business in Qatar.
• You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well (if asked) in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
• You must have sufficient funds

• You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Qatar.
• Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

There are different kinds of documents that are needed while issuing a business visa to Qatar. The list of documents required for Qatar business visa is given below:

• Original passport with a validity of at least 6 months ahead of the date of travel.
• Visa application form, completely filled
• Coloured photographs as per the photo specifications
• A cover letter with all the required details from the invitee company
• Confirmed flight tickets
• Income Tax Returns proof
• GCC Medical Certificate
• Detailed Itinerary
• Invitee company’s registration
• Proof of accommodation - invitation letter, hotel reservation, etc.
• Proof of purpose of visit - invitation letter, exhibition or conference pass, etc. 
• Proof of sufficient funds - bank statement or any other equivalent document.
• Proof of identification and nationality - PAN card, Adhaar card
  

• Two copies must be provided.
• Photo size: 38 mm x 48 mm.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• The face must cover about 70-80% of the frame. 
• Head should well-centred.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white.
• Neutral expressions.
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The processing time required for the issuance of the Qatar business visa is about 15 days. The time will still vary depending on certain factors like the workload at the Consular office, the staff availability, whether the documents are complete or the rest of the documents are yet to be submitted and others. The time increases and decreases affected by these parameters. An additional factor that might affect if there is a requirement document attestation for commercial documents. 

The fee for business visa to Qatar is paid at the time of submitting the application form. The fees for Indian citizens is also determined based on the procedure that is to be followed. The Qatar business visa cost will differ as per the purpose and other parameters as well.

When you have submitted your application form for a business visa to Qatar and paid the fees, there are certain things that you must consider. 

• The flight tickets for the onward and return journey must be confirmed for the procedures. 
• It is also important to keep mind that the visa is not an allowance to enter Qatar, if the officers at the Airport do not find you eligible, you may not be allowed to enter the country. 
• Once you have submitted the visa, you can then track the visa process as well.
• If there are any other requirements to be fulfilled or if there are any mistakes in the application, the embassy or the agency must be informed.
• If there are any changes related to the application, for instance, change in marital status or birth of a child, you must inform the embassy/agency.
• You can even check the status of the application and the processing in the meantime. 
• If there is a change of plans, you can withdraw the application.
• The visa fee is generally not refundable.

Since the business visa to Qatar is an electronic visa, it is easy to track the processing online. In order to check the status, you can visit the embassy website and go to the page of status check and fill out the required details and track where has the processing reached. You can even check when you have to attend the interview and how long will it take for the final E-visa.

After you have received your business visa to Qatar, you still need to follow a certain set of guidelines. Few of which are mentioned as follows:

• Before you travel

• Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• You need to get an OK to Board on your visa before you board your flight to Qatar, bet it an ECR or ENCR passport.
• You should travel to Qatar within the validity of your visa.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border

• Get your documents checked and your passport verified.
• Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
• Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
• Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Qatar

• Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
• You are not allowed to offer employment to the Qataris without a permit for the same.
• It is a permit that allows you to only perform business and business-related operations in the country. You are still permitted tourism.
• The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
• Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for the visa extension in time.