Qatar announces new visa on arrival for visitors from India, China and Russia
Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism have signed an agreement to make the tourist visa application process more efficient and transparent.
This was announced at a press conference this morning by Akbar Al Baker, the CEO of Qatar Airways.
The agreement was signed with VFS Global, a leading provider of visa processing services.
He also said that there has been a significant increase in tourists to the country in recent months.
From next year, Qatar will be offering tourists visas on arrival for citizens of India, China and Russia.
He said that more details on these developments will be announced by MOI in the near future.
When asked what the cost of the visas would be, no details were offered at this time.
"Qatar's MOI continuously strives to make government services as smooth and efficient as possible, while ensuring that Qatar's security is not compromised," Abdullah Salim Al Ali, DG of General Directorate of Nationality, Borders and Expatriates Affairs, said.
"We are pleased to take developments in our tourist visa application services to the next level by working with Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism."
Under the new agreement, VFS Global will seek to facilitate Qatar's booming tourism industry by simplifying the tourist visa process.
The new Qatar visa application process will be available to all travellers globally, and not just passengers of Qatar Airways.
The process will be online, and through mobile platforms as well.
However, the visas will still be approved and issued at the sole discretion of Qatar's Ministry of Interior.
different strokes for different folks
We need more Russians to counter the Chinese monopoly in the Ramada Car Park and Ex- Sofitel hotel (Mercure Grand) :)
What's the source of this news? Can't find it anywhere other than QL
Great move Qatar. It will be good for these Tourist coming here and good for Business in Qatar.
No .. It just gives us a 'wider' choice of products
Miss Luv Lee will be happy now! no need to pay high prices for Tourist visa. Could this be the end of the Ramada Car Park Socialising Group?
All rather strange .. On the one hand they are offering amnesty to the thousands who are staying here illegally and trying to get rid of them.. on the other hand they are opening up means of getting here ...
Chinese and Russians are currently one the biggest Tourist travelers around the world.