UK Visa From Qatar: Types, Requirements & Application Guide
Table of contents
- Table of contents
- What is a UK Visa for Qatar Citizens?
- What is the UK ETA for Qatar Citizens
- UK Visa Types for Qatar Citizens
- UK Visa Requirements for Qatar Citizens
- UK Visa Application Process for Qatar Citizens
- UK Visa Processing Time for Qatar Citizens
- UK Visa Fees for Qatar Citizens
- UK Visa for Qatar Residents
- Visitor Statistics from Qatar to the United Kingdom
- FAQ
What is a UK Visa for Qatar Citizens?
A UK visa is an official travel permit that grants Qatari citizens legal permission to travel to the United Kingdom, whether for tourism, study, work, or other approved activities, for a set amount of time. Qatari citizens can obtain UK visas for visits lasting longer than six months. Certain types of visas will also allow you to legally work in the UK while it is active.
Qatar citizens are eligible to apply for a few different types of visas, including work, study, and standard visitor visas. On this page, we’re going to take a closer look at the different visas, UK visa requirements for Qatar residents and citizens, what to expect during the application process, and everything else you need to ensure you’ll be ready to travel.
If your stay is shorter than 6 months, you should consider applying for an Electronic Travel Authorization (an ETA for short) instead. The UK ETA application process is straightforward and can be completed online. It's essential to apply for the appropriate visa or ETA to avoid any issues during your travel to the UK.
What is the UK ETA for Qatar Citizens
The UK ETA is an electronic travel authorization that permits entry to the UK for short stays of up to 6 months. It is not a visa but a permit that replaced the UK Electronic Visa Waiver scheme (EVW) since November 15, 2023, when all Qatari citizens became required to obtain an ETA to enter the UK.
If you are traveling to the UK, you will need an electronic travel authorization (ETA) or a visa. Several factors determine what you will need. As a rule of thumb, you will require a visa to stay longer than six months.
ETAs allow Qatari citizens to visit the UK for short stays for certain activities such as business, tourism, and family visits. Once you receive an ETA, it is typically valid for multiple entries over a two-year period, allowing you to visit the UK for up to six months at a time. This is an ideal option for frequent travelers, providing flexibility for short visits without the need for repeated visa applications.
One of the biggest benefits of an ETA for the UK is the ease of applying, as there are fewer documents and smaller fees required for an ETA compared to a visa. Another benefit of the UK ETA is fast processing times, so if you want to plan a last-minute trip, an ETA allows that. Additionally, the UK ETA benefits all UK citizens and residents in that it enhances security since it allows the UK government to prescreen travelers before arriving in the UKAs mentioned, the application process for an ETA is very simple. To apply for an ETA for the UK, you first need to complete an online application form, providing personal details and documents including your name, a clear photo of yourself, your address and passport, as well as a little bit of information about your employment and any past criminal history. Once that is done, all you have to do is pay a small processing fee using a valid payment method, and your application will typically be reviewed and answered within three days.
UK Visa Types for Qatar Citizens
If you’re looking to get a UK visa from Qatar, there are several options available depending on your travel purpose. The main visa categories include:
Standard Visitor Visa
This visa is meant for tourism, visiting family and friends, business trips, or short-term studies (courses for up to 6 months). This visa allows stays of up to six months and can be extended under special circumstances like a patient receiving medical treatment or a student who still meets the eligibility requirements.
With a UK visit visa from Qatar, you can participate in permitted paid engagements, such as lectures, business meetings, or interviews. If you would like to be able to work in the UK, there are other visas that will be a better fit.
Student Visa
This visa is best for those who are 16 and over, enrolling in academic programs in the UK at a listed university (such as the multiple prestigious universities in London). The visa duration depends on the length of the course, and students may be allowed to work part-time under specific conditions.
The biggest consideration when applying for this visa is your financial situation, as the UK government requires you to have enough money to pay for the course and support yourself during your stay.
Work Visa
There are a few different work visas in the UK to choose from based on your education and job offers.
Skilled Worker Visa
This is for individuals with job offers from UK employers who are licensed sponsors. Skilled workers are also required to be in an eligible job field, sometimes at a specific level, with a salary threshold.
Health and Care Worker Visa
This visa is specifically for qualified healthcare professionals who will work in the NHS or adult care.
Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent visa allows you to work in the UK if you are endorsed as a leader or potential leader in digital technology, for example, in:
- Financial technology
- Gaming
- Cyber security
- Artificial intelligence
Family Visa
For those joining family members who are UK residents or citizens, the family visa is the best for you. This visa is available for spouses, partners, children, and dependent relatives who are able to demonstrate their relationship to the UK resident and provide proof of financial support.
Depending on the visa type, there may be a minimum income requirement for the UK-based sponsor. The visa duration varies based on a few different factors, but typically, once you have one of these visas, you will be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain and settle in the UK officially.
UK Visa Requirements for Qatar Citizens
To apply for a UK visa from Qatar, citizens typically need to provide:
- A passport with validity for your entire duration of stay in the UK
- A completed visa application form
- Passport-sized photographs meeting UK specifications
- Documentation of financial resources (these include bank statements or sponsorship letters)
- Travel itinerary, including flight and accommodation details
- Proof of ties to Qatar (for instance, property ownership or family residing in Qatar)
There may be additional documents required depending on the type of visa or special circumstances, such as:
- Detailed travel history over a 10-year period
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for the work visa
- Contact information of your employer
- Acceptance letter for the student visa
There are also a number of items you may need to provide after submitting your application. These can include biometric data, such as fingerprints and additional photographs, which are typically collected in person at a visa application center. We will talk more about the application process in the next section, but you may also need to provide additional documentation at the in-person appointment when supplying biometrics.
UK Visa Application Process for Qatar Citizens
Now that we have covered the different types of visas and the required documents, let's delve into the step-by-step process of how to apply for a UK visa from Qatar. This will ensure you are well-prepared for both the online application and your in-person appointment.
- Determine Visa Type
Now that you know the different visa types, you can start the application process. This will also influence whether you can apply in person or online.
- Complete the Application
Fill out the visa application form on the UK Government website with your personal information and requested supporting documents.
- Pay the Visa Fee
Fees will vary depending on the visa type and duration, but all can be paid with a Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card.
- Schedule a Biometrics Appointment
Attend a visa application center appointment to provide fingerprints and your passport.
- Submit Supporting Documents
This is the point where you will also submit any additional documents. Ensure all necessary documents are included in your application.
- Wait for Processing
You can track your visa application status online through the official UK Government website. During the review process, additional documents or an in-person interview may be requested based on your application details.
- Receive your Visa
Once your application is approved, you will receive your visa, allowing you to enter the UK. Once you are approved you can pick your passport up with your visa stamp at the application center.
UK Visa Processing Time for Qatar Citizens
Visa processing times vary based on a number of different factors, but the average waiting times include:
Standard Visitor Visa Processing time: Up to 3 weeks.
Family Visa Processing time: Up to 12 weeks.
Skilled Worker Visa Processing time: Up to 3 weeks.
Priority Processing (for an additional fee): 5 working days for most visa types, up to 6 weeks for family visas.
Super Priority Processing (for an additional fee, where available): 24 hours.
It is advisable to apply well in advance of your intended travel date. Complex cases or additional document requests can extend processing times.
UK Visa Fees for Qatar Citizens
Similar to processing times, fees will vary based on the type of visa you’re applying for and any other factors such as opting for priority processing or applying for a visa that has a longer validity.
UK Visit Visa Fee from Qatar (Up to 6 months) - £115
Student Visa Fee from Qatar - From £490
Skilled Worker Visa Fee from Qatar - From £719 - £1,639 (varies by profession and duration)
Priority Services - £500 in addition to your visa application fee Family Visa Fee from Qatar - £1,846 per applicant
UK Visa for Qatar Residents
Qatar residents are required to obtain a UK visa, as Qatar residency does not exempt them from the visa requirement. Fortunately, you are able to apply online for a UK visa from Qatar and it is a fairly simple process.
To apply, Qatar residents must submit the required documents and meet all eligibility criteria outlined in the application process, then book an appointment at the visa application center. The process for residents is similar to that for citizens, and our guide on this page provides step-by-step instructions.
The common UK visa types for Qatar residents are very similar to the ones for citizens and include:
- Visitor Visa: For tourism, family visits, or short-term business trips.
- Work Visa: For those seeking employment opportunities in the UK.
- Student Visa: For residents planning to pursue academic studies in the UK.
Visitor Statistics from Qatar to the United Kingdom
In 2023, there were over 84,000 visits to the U.K. originating in Qatar and the average spend for these trips was £2,887.
FAQ
Although there is no minimum bank balance required for a UK tourist visa from Qatar, you are required to show that you will be able to financially support yourself for the duration of your stay in the UK.
Checking your UK Visa status in Qatar is quite simple. You can do this by visiting the official UK government website and entering your visa application reference number.
Qatar citizens need a visa for the UK if they plan to spend more than six months in the UK. Depending on their situation, they can apply for a standard visitor visa, a student visa, a family visa, or a skilled worker visa. If they plan to spend fewer than six months in the UK, they can apply for a UK ETA instead.
Whether Qatar residents need an ETA to visit the UK depends on their nationality. If they are citizens of a country eligible for the UK ETA, they can apply for an ETA. However, if they are not from an ETA-eligible country, they will need to apply for a UK visa instead.
Travel requirements are generally determined by where the traveler's passport was issued, rather than their country of residence. For this reason, there is no visa-free entry for Qatar residents specifically and we recommend referring to guides for citizens of the country where your passport was issued from.
