Qatar Tourism has announced updates to the “Hayya” GCC Residents Visa (A2). The new features are designed to make travel to Qatar smoother and more convenient during a season rich in international sporting, cultural, and entertainment events. The updates, which came into effect on November 30, 2025, allow visitors from the GCC countries to stay in Qatar for up to two months and offers multiple-entry access.
These enhancements are designed to make it easier for visitors to attend a variety of events throughout the season and enjoy a seamless entry experience across all points of arrival.
By making entry seamless for GCC residents, Qatar Tourism is enabling more visitors from neighbouring countries to enjoy the season’s events, strengthening Qatar’s global tourism profile, and supporting economic growth.
The tourism sector is one of the most important pillars for Qatar’s economic diversification, and is integral to sustaining its economic growth. The country’s Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030 identifies tourism as a key sector in driving sustainable growth and economic diversification. Qatar’s tourism strategy aims to enhance the sector’s competitiveness and encourage investment in hospitality infrastructure.
Aiming to attract six million visitors per year by 2030, the strategy focuses on several key areas that reflect the country’s commitment to strengthening the tourism sector, such as cultivating a rich collection of museums and cultural highlights; hosting world-class conventions and exhibitions; constructing exceptional urban development; bringing a plethora of sporting events to the country; and promoting outstanding educational opportunities at its world-class universities, among others.
Qatar’s efforts has brought results as Qatar Tourism registered a 2.2% increase in the total number of visitors to Qatar during the first nine months of this year, reaching 3.5 million visitors, compared with the same period last year. The number of visitors to the country reached four million by the end of October last year, which is equivalent to the total number of visitors to the country for 2023, an increase of 26 percent. In 2023, Qatar surpassed the four million visitor mark, a significant milestone reflecting the country’s growing appeal.
The country’s national carrier, Qatar Airways, plays a pivotal role in this growth, connecting Doha to more than 177 key business and leisure destinations across six continents. Besides, Qatar Tourism has spearheaded several initiatives to promote tourism.
In collaboration with the Saudi Tourism Authority, Qatar Tourism in 2024 launched the ‘Double the Discovery’ campaign, which encourages travellers to explore both Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
