Qatar Unveils Major Hayya Visa Updates: GCC Residents Grant 2-Month Multiple-Entry Access for 2025 Events Season

Published on November 30, 2025

In a move set to redefine regional travel dynamics, Qatar has announced a significant overhaul to its entry regulations for residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). As the country gears up for a spectacular winter events season—anchored by the highly anticipated 2025 FIFA Arab Cup—Qatar Tourism has unveiled transformative updates to the Hayya GCC Resident Visa (A2).

Effective from November 30, 2025, these changes are not merely procedural tweaks; they represent a strategic embrace of Qatar’s neighbors. The new regulations allow GCC residents to stay in the country for up to two months and, crucially, grant multiple-entry access.

For the millions of expatriates and citizens living in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, the message from Doha is clear: Our home is your home, come as often as you like.

The “Hayya” Evolution: More Than Just a Fan ID

The Hayya platform, originally the digital backbone of the 2022 World Cup, has evolved into Qatar’s central tourism gateway. With these latest updates, the platform solidifies its role as the ultimate key to the country.

Previously, short-term visas often required re-application or had limited validity windows that made spontaneous, repeated travel cumbersome. The new multiple-entry feature eliminates this friction. A family living in Riyadh or Dubai can now fly into Doha for a concert one weekend, return to work, and then drive back across the border for a football match the next week—all on the same visa.

Saeed Al Kuwari, Director of Hayya, emphasized the strategic intent behind this shift. “These measures go beyond simple procedural changes,” he noted in a statement to the press. “They reflect Qatar Tourism’s broader vision to strengthen the country’s openness to the region, facilitate visitor movement during major sports and cultural events, and enhance tourism’s contribution to the national economy.”

Timing is Everything: The 2025 Events Season

The timing of this announcement is meticulous. Qatar is on the brink of one of its busiest tourist seasons in recent history. The pleasant winter weather—a stark contrast to the scorching summer—traditionally draws visitors, but 2025 offers something extra.

The crown jewel of the season is the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup. As regional rivalries heat up on the pitch, the demand for flexible travel is expected to skyrocket. Fans don’t just want to come for the final; they want the freedom to follow their teams through the group stages, retreat home, and return for the knockouts. The new two-month, multiple-entry visa is perfectly calibrated to support this “commuter fan” behavior.

But it’s not just about football. Qatar’s calendar is packed with:

• Cultural Festivals: From the traditional dhow festivals at Katara to the high-art exhibitions at the Museum of Islamic Art.
• Luxury Shopping: The Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition and the continuous expansion of luxury retail at Place Vendôme.
• Motorsports: The Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix continues to be a massive regional draw.

By removing administrative barriers, Qatar ensures that a resident of the GCC doesn’t have to choose which event to attend—they can attend them all.

The Strategic Vision: Tourism as a Pillar

This initiative is a direct component of Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which aims to welcome six million visitors annually and increase the tourism sector’s contribution to GDP to 12%.

Historically, travel within the GCC has been relatively easy for citizens, but residents (expatriates) often faced more bureaucratic hurdles. By leveling the playing field and prioritizing the “A2” visa category, Qatar taps into a massive, affluent demographic right on its doorstep. These are travelers who do not need to be sold on the climate or the culture; they need to be sold on convenience.

The update also serves to smooth out the operational peaks and troughs at borders. With the Abu Samra land border being a popular entry point for visitors from Saudi Arabia, the multiple-entry visa reduces the processing load on border control staff, ensuring that the first impression visitors get is one of efficiency, not congestion.

How It Works: The User Experience

The Hayya platform remains the single point of entry. The process for GCC residents has been streamlined to be as intuitive as booking a hotel room.

Apply Online: Users log into the Hayya app or website.

Select Visa Type: Choose the “GCC Resident Visa (A2).”

Upload Docs: Provide proof of valid GCC residency (valid for at least three months) and a passport copy.

Approval: Once approved, the digital visa is linked to the traveler’s passport.

Travel: On arrival at Hamad International Airport or the land border, the entry is seamless.

There is no need for embassy visits or physical stamps. It is a digital-first approach that aligns with the modern traveler’s expectation of “click and go.”

A Regional Playground

For the GCC resident, Qatar offers a unique proposition. It blends the familiarity of Gulf heritage with a distinct flavor of modernity and luxury that is uniquely Qatari.

Families can explore the Souq Waqif, where the smell of spices and the sound of traditional music create an atmosphere timelessly Arabian. Just minutes away, the futuristic skyline of West Bay and the sustainable architecture of Msheireb Downtown Doha offer world-class dining and shopping.

The Mina District at Old Doha Port, with its colorful buildings and cruise terminal, has become a new hotspot, while the lush greenery of the Aspire Zone offers respite for families. With the new visa rules, these aren’t just once-a-year destinations; they become viable options for a long weekend or a spontaneous road trip.

Conclusion: An Open Door Policy

As November 30 approaches, the message from Qatar is resonating across the Gulf. By updating the Hayya features, the nation isn’t just tweaking a policy; it is dismantling the invisible friction of travel. It is an invitation to its neighbors to be part of a season that promises to be historic, vibrant, and, above all, accessible.

For the millions of residents in the GCC, the weekend getaway just got a lot easier, and the FIFA Arab Cup just got a lot closer to home.