Qatar’s Hayya Rule Leaves Lebanese Travelers Out of Luck

What changed at the border

Qatar has suspended visa-on-arrival for Lebanese nationals, so entry now starts online through the Hayya platform. The shift took effect in early April 2026 and it’s a real headache for anyone who used to show up and sort things out later, because that option is gone.

Lebanese passport holders now need a Hayya tourist visa (A1) before travel, which is valid for 30 days. The rule applies across the board and frankly, it makes last-minute trips much harder, even for people just flying in to see family or scout a short stay.

Who feels it most

Tourists get hit first, but so do digital nomads, expats visiting relatives and business travelers who were counting on flexibility. Dual nationals using a Lebanese passport face the same screening, which, surprisingly, is where a lot of trip plans can fall apart.

Qatar’s checker now lists Lebanon as requiring a visa and that means travelers need to plan ahead instead of banking on airport approval. For anyone moving between Beirut and Doha, the timing matters, because a missed approval can turn into a wasted flight.

What travelers should do now

Apply at hayya.qa with a passport valid for 6+ months, a return or onward ticket, accommodation proof and a passport photo. The fee is QAR 100, about USD 27 and processing can take several days, so don’t leave it to the night before.

Print the approval if you can, because digital copies may not be enough at immigration and health insurance is recommended too. If you’re checking broader regional changes, keep an eye on visa updates, because Gulf entry rules have been shifting fast and this one isn’t likely to make travel easier anytime soon.

Read our full Qatar guide for the complete picture.