Qatari citizens can now travel to Canada visa-free

Qatari citizens can now travel to Canada without needing a visa to enter the country.

On November 25, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it would be removing visa requirements for Qatari citizens, a change which took effect at 5:30 a.m. on the same day.

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From now on, Qatari citizens will only require an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada.

This represents a significant benefit for Qatari travellers who previously would have had to wait multiple weeks for a Canadian visa to enter the country.

Applications for an eTA are quick to complete, usually approved within minutes, and require as little as a valid passport, a form of payment, and an email address.

Qatari nationals who already hold a valid temporary resident visa (TRV) to Canada—for example, a work or student visa—may continue to use this document to enter the country until it expires, or until the expiry date of their passport (whichever comes first).

How to apply for an eTA

Qatari citizens who are now eligible for visa-free travel must obtain an eTA before boarding their flight to Canada. The process is simple and can be completed online in just a few minutes:

• Prepare your documents
  • You will need your passport, credit or debit card; and have any relevant information ready.
  • It’s helpful to review the instructions before you begin.
• Complete the online application
  • Fill out the eTA form online.
    • The form cannot be saved, so make sure you have all your information on hand before starting.
• Pay the application fee
  • The eTA costs $7 ($18 Qatari Riyals).
  • You will be prompted to pay immediately after submitting your form.
• Receive your eTA decision
  • Most applications are approved within minutes—you will receive an email confirming your eTA status.

In some cases, you may be asked to provide additional information before your eTA can be approved. If this applies to you, you’ll receive an email with instructions within 72 hours.

The eTA is electronically linked to your passport and is valid for up to five years or until your passport expires—whichever comes first. You may enter Canada as many times as you’d like, as long as your eTA remains valid, and you meet admissibility requirements.

Why has Canada lifted visa restrictions for Qatari citizens?

The shift to visa-free travel for Qatari citizens is part of a broader relationship between Canada and Qatar, which has strengthened in recent years, centered around trade, tourism, and innovation.

In 2011, the two nations signed the Canada—Qatar Air Transport Agreement, which allowed for direct air services to be scheduled between both countries. This agreement was later updated in 2024 to allow more flights—expanding air travel frequency between Toronto and Doha to seven flights a week.

In addition to air travel, Canada continues to expand its relationship with Qatar through trade across multiple industries—including clean energy, agribusiness, and critical mineral mining. In 2024, bilateral trade between the two countries totalled more than $325 million Canadian dollars.

"Lifting visa requirements is an important step in our relationship with Qatar and makes it easier for eligible travellers to experience all that Canada has to offer. Not only will it strengthen opportunities for business and investment, it will deliver economic benefits at home and abroad, while also deepening the strong ties between our two countries," says Lena Diab, minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

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