India Visa RequirementsFor Qatar passport holders
Qatari nationals are eligible for India's e-Visa for up to 90 days for tourism, business, or medical purposes. The e-Visa costs $25 and is processed online in 72 to 96 hours. India has a large Indian diaspora in Qatar and receives Qatari visitors for tourism and medical treatment.
Qatar passport holders must apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) online before traveling to India.
Apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Select Qatar as nationality. Complete the form, upload passport photo (white background) and passport bio page scan. Pay $25 by credit or debit card. Approval typically arrives within 72 to 96 hours. Print the approval and present at Indian immigration. Entry must be via designated e-Visa airports; land borders are not permitted.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
For Your Visa Application
Passport Photo
One recent photo meeting Indian e-Visa specifications (2x2 inches, white background).
Payment Card
Credit or debit card for USD 25 e-Visa fee payment online at indianvisaonline.gov.in.
Required at Entry
Indian e-Visa Approval Letter
Printed or digital copy of the e-Visa approval from indianvisaonline.gov.in. Must be presented at immigration.
Valid Qatari Passport
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended stay. Passport number must match the e-Visa.
Return or Onward Ticket
Confirmed booking showing departure from India within the authorized stay.
Current Travel Situation
Qatar to India: What You Need to Know
India's e-Visa system covers Qatari passport holders for 90-day stays for tourism, business, or medical purposes. The e-Tourist Visa allows double entry. Qatar hosts approximately 800,000 Indian workers, creating significant reverse tourism where Indian families in Qatar's diaspora visit India, and Qatari nationals also visit Indian destinations.
India is an increasingly popular destination for Gulf residents, offering diverse experiences from Rajasthan's forts and palaces to Kerala's backwaters, Mumbai's nightlife, and Delhi's Mughal heritage. Medical tourism to Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai hospitals draws Gulf patients for specialized procedures.
Doha has the Indian Embassy processing Indian visas and regular Air India and IndiGo connections to Indian cities.
How to Get There
Qatar Airways serves Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Kochi (COK), Chennai (MAA), Hyderabad (HYD), Kolkata (CCU), Amritsar (ATQ), and other Indian cities from Doha (DOH). India is one of Qatar Airways' largest route networks given the significant Indian community in Qatar.
Money & Banking
India uses the Indian Rupee (INR). As of 2024, approximately 83 INR per USD. India is very affordable. Five-star hotels in Delhi run $100 to $250 per night. Budget travel can be done for $30 to $50 per day. ATMs available in major cities. Carry some USD or QAR to exchange on arrival. Cards accepted at hotels and larger merchants.
Practical Tips
Apply at least 5 business days before travel to allow buffer time. The e-Tourist Visa allows double entry, useful for Rajasthan-Nepal or India-Sri Lanka combinations.
Delhi circuit: The Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) can be covered in 5 to 7 days. Delhi-Agra by Gatimaan Express train is 1.5 hours; Agra-Jaipur by bus or car is 4 hours. The Taj Mahal in Agra is the world's most recognizable building.
Kerala: Known as "God's Own Country." Backwater houseboat experiences in Alleppey (Alappuzha), hill stations in Munnar, and pristine beaches in Kovalam. Kerala is known for its ayurvedic treatments.
Halal food: Widely available across India, particularly in major cities and Muslim communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Qatari nationals get an India e-Visa?
Yes. Qatari passport holders are eligible for the India e-Visa for up to 90 days. Apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Fee $25. Processing 72 to 96 hours. Never apply through third-party websites that charge inflated fees.
How many Indian cities have direct flights from Doha?
Qatar Airways serves over 15 Indian cities directly from Doha, making it the most connected airline between the Gulf and India. Destinations include Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Trivandrum, Kozhikode, Amritsar, Nagpur, and others. This reflects the enormous Indian diaspora in Qatar.
What is the best way to experience the Taj Mahal from a Qatar entry point?
Fly from Doha to Delhi (DEL) on Qatar Airways. Take the Gatimaan Express train from Delhi Hazrat Nizamuddin station to Agra Cantonment (1 hour 40 minutes, approximately INR 700 for chair class). The Taj Mahal is 10 minutes by auto-rickshaw or taxi from the station. Book Taj Mahal entry online at asi.payumoney.com. Return to Delhi by the last train or stay overnight in Agra.
What medical tourism options are available in India for Qatari nationals?
India is a leading destination for medical procedures including cardiac bypass surgery (Apollo, Fortis), hip and knee replacement, cancer treatment (Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, Apollo in Chennai), ophthalmology, and IVF. Costs are 60 to 80% less than in Western countries. Apollo and Fortis hospitals have international patient services with Arabic-speaking case managers.
Is India suitable for Qatari families with children?
Yes, with planning. India has family-friendly destinations: Delhi's Mughal heritage, Rajasthan's colorful cities (Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur), Kerala's calm backwaters, and Mumbai's Bollywood studios. Infrastructure in luxury hotels is excellent. Book a reputable tour operator for organized family travel. The heat in April-June can be extreme; travel November-March is recommended.
What are the Sufi heritage sites in India of interest to Muslim Qatari travelers?
India has significant Sufi heritage: the Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya in Delhi (qawwali devotional music Thursday nights), Ajmer Sharif Dargah (one of India's most revered Muslim shrines), and the Jama Masjid in Delhi (one of India's largest mosques). Hyderabad's Charminar and Salar Jung Museum are further Deccan Sultanate highlights.
Does Qatar have a large Indian community and how does this affect India travel?
Yes. Qatar's Indian community (approximately 700,000 to 800,000) is the largest single nationality group in Qatar. Qatar Airways' extensive India network, numerous Indian banks and money transfer operators in Doha, and familiarity with Indian culture make India one of the most accessible international destinations for Qatar-based travelers.