Passengers begin to enjoy benefits of relaxed transit visa rules in Qatar

It was on November 1, 2016, that Qatar Airways started issuing 96-hour temporary visas for passengers having layover times of at least five hours in the country. The relaxation of transit visa rules has proved to be a big hit among international travellers.
While some were happy with the ease of procuring a transit visa, others were happy to visit a new country during their spare time.
“Applying for the visa via Qatar Airways was very easy. We received our visas within three days. I’ve a British passport and my mom has a Sri Lankan one. But we both got our visas at the same time,” Wathsala Perera, who visited Doha with her mother last month, told The Peninsula.
However, she felt that a fast track visa-processing desk for transit visa holders and shuttle services between the airport and Doha downtown would help passengers save time.
Passengers who book a multi-city option with Qatar Airways can add the Doha stopover at not extra cost. However, ticket bookings and applications for pre-approved transit visa should be done at least seven days prior to departure. The visa is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.
Entry into Qatar will still be at the discretion of immigration authorities.
Have some of your friends or family made use of the new transit visa system? How was it? What were your experiences?