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Qatar Visa for Ugandans

🖥 E-Visa Available — Apply online before travel
2/5 Difficulty
7–14d Processing
UGX 100,000 Total (~$27)

Entry rules for travellers from Uganda are changing — verify before you fly

Uganda declared an Ebola outbreak on 15 May 2026 after cases were imported from the DR Congo, and several countries introduced precautionary entry restrictions on arrivals from Uganda — the UAE suspended visas for arrivals from Uganda, the DR Congo and South Sudan from 6 June 2026. Uganda declared the outbreak contained on 5 July 2026 and asked for the restrictions to be lifted. Requirements on this route may have changed since we last checked, and some states are reviewing their rules week by week.

Last checked July 2026 — rules on this route can change at short notice, so confirm with your airline and the destination's immigration authority before you book or fly.

Quick Facts

Requirement E-Visa
Visa Fee UGX 100,000 (~$27)
Processing Time 7–14 working days
Appointment Wait ~ weeks
Stay Duration Up to 30 days
E-Visa Available online

Qatar is a popular destination and transit hub for Ugandans, with Qatar Airways flying direct from Entebbe to Doha — but it is not a visa-on-arrival country for Ugandan passport holders, despite what many sources claim. Ugandans must apply online for a Hayya A1 tourist visa at hayya.qa before travelling: QAR 100 (~UGX 100,000), a confirmed hotel booking is mandatory, and approval takes roughly 3–10 business days. A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival.

Key Warnings

  • Uganda is NOT on Qatar's visa-on-arrival list. Qatar grants visa-free or on-arrival entry to around 100 nationalities; from Africa only Botswana, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Seychelles and South Africa qualify. Travelling to Doha without an approved Hayya visa will get you refused at boarding in Entebbe.
  • A confirmed hotel booking for the whole stay is a hard requirement of the Hayya A1 application — the application cannot be completed without it. Airbnb and some private rentals are rejected.
  • Yellow fever certificate is MANDATORY — Qatar requires it from Ugandan travellers. Carry the original ICVP/yellow card.
  • Do not book non-refundable flights before your Hayya visa is approved. Processing usually takes 3–10 business days but can stretch to three weeks.

Insider Tips

  • If you are only transiting through Doha and never leaving the airport, you do not need a Qatar visa — the Hayya A1 is only required to enter the country. Qatar Airways transit passengers with long layovers should confirm with the airline whether their itinerary allows a city stopover, which does require a visa.
  • Doha's Museum of Islamic Art, Souq Waqif and the Corniche are the standout sights and cost little or nothing. The Pearl-Qatar is free to enter and walk around.
  • Summer (June–August) reaches 40–50°C and is genuinely punishing. October–April is the sensible window.
  • Qatar is a conservative Islamic country: dress modestly in public, and note that alcohol is only served in licensed hotel bars and restaurants.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Book a licensed hotel in Qatar first

    The Hayya A1 application requires a confirmed hotel booking covering your entire stay before you can submit. Use a licensed hotel — Airbnb and some private rentals are rejected. Choose a refundable rate where possible, since visa approval is not guaranteed.

  2. Get or check your yellow fever certificate

    Qatar requires it from travellers coming from Uganda. Vaccinate at UVRI Entebbe or Mulago Hospital if needed — the certificate activates 10 days after vaccination. Carry the original yellow card.

  3. Apply for the Hayya A1 visa at hayya.qa

    Create an account, select the A1 Entry Visa, upload your passport bio page and photo, attach the hotel booking and return ticket, and pay QAR 100 (~UGX 100,000) by card. Apply at least two weeks before departure.

  4. Wait for approval before booking non-refundable flights

    Approval typically arrives by email within 3–10 business days, occasionally up to 3 weeks. Print or save the approval — airlines check it at Entebbe before boarding.

  5. Arrive in Doha and extend if needed

    Present the Hayya approval, passport and yellow fever card at Hamad International Airport. You are admitted for 30 days. For a longer stay, extend once by a further 30 days at the Ministry of Interior (Jawazat) before the initial period expires.

Required Documents

  • Valid Ugandan passport (6+ months validity) Must be valid at least 6 months beyond your date of entry into Qatar, with at least 1 blank page.
  • Recent digital passport photo White background, high-resolution scan uploaded during the Hayya application.
  • Confirmed hotel booking covering the entire stay — MANDATORY This is a hard requirement for the Hayya A1 visa, not a recommendation. Private rentals (Airbnb, and some Booking.com listings) are frequently rejected unless supported by official documentation. Book a licensed hotel.
  • Confirmed return or onward flight ticket Qatar Airways flies direct Entebbe (EBB) to Doha (DOH).
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate (ICVP) Required from travellers arriving from Uganda. Carry the original yellow card — it is checked on arrival at Hamad International Airport.

Recommended (Optional)

  • Travel health insurance Required if your stay will exceed 30 days; recommended in all cases.
  • Evidence of sufficient funds An international bank card or recent statement. May be requested at immigration.

Health Requirements

⚠️ Yellow Fever Certificate required. Qatar requires a yellow fever certificate from travellers arriving from yellow fever endemic countries, including Uganda. Carry the original ICVP/yellow card — it will be checked at Hamad International Airport. Get vaccinated at UVRI Entebbe or Mulago Hospital in Kampala; the certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination.

Latest Updates

2026-07

Uganda is not eligible for Qatar visa on arrival — Hayya A1 required in advance

Qatar's official visa list does not include Uganda among the roughly 100 nationalities granted visa-free or on-arrival entry. Ugandan passport holders must apply for a Hayya A1 tourist visa online at hayya.qa before travelling, at QAR 100 with a mandatory confirmed hotel booking.

2026-07

Ebola outbreak in Uganda declared contained; Gulf entry restrictions were introduced elsewhere

Uganda declared an Ebola outbreak on 15 May 2026 following importation of cases from the DRC. Several states introduced precautionary entry restrictions on arrivals from Uganda, DRC and South Sudan — the UAE suspended visas for those arrivals from 6 June 2026. Uganda announced the outbreak contained on 5 July 2026 and requested restrictions be lifted. No blanket Qatari ban on Ugandan nationals was identified at the time of this review, but the situation is fluid and travellers should confirm with their airline and hayya.qa before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Ugandans allowed to travel to Qatar right now?
Yes — Qatar has not announced a blanket entry ban on Ugandan nationals. But you cannot simply fly to Doha: Uganda is not on Qatar's visa-on-arrival list, so you must apply for a Hayya A1 tourist visa online at hayya.qa before you travel (QAR 100, confirmed hotel booking required). Separately, note that Uganda declared an Ebola outbreak on 15 May 2026 and several countries introduced precautionary restrictions on arrivals from Uganda — the UAE suspended visas for such arrivals from 6 June 2026. Uganda declared the outbreak contained on 5 July 2026. Because health-related entry rules can change quickly, confirm with your airline and on hayya.qa before booking.
Can Ugandans get a visa on arrival in Qatar?
No. This is a common and costly misconception. Qatar grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to roughly 100 nationalities, but Uganda is not one of them — from Africa only Botswana, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Seychelles and South Africa qualify. Ugandan passport holders must obtain a Hayya A1 tourist visa online at hayya.qa before departure. Arriving at Doha without one means being refused boarding in Entebbe.
How much is a Qatar visa for Ugandans?
The Hayya A1 tourist visa costs QAR 100, roughly USD 27 or about UGX 100,000, paid by card at hayya.qa. The fee is non-refundable if the application is refused. You also need a confirmed hotel booking covering your whole stay, which is a mandatory part of the application and an additional cost.
Do Ugandans need a yellow fever certificate for Qatar?
Yes — Qatar requires a yellow fever certificate from travellers arriving from Uganda, an endemic country. Carry the original ICVP/yellow card; it is checked on arrival at Hamad International Airport. If you are not vaccinated, visit UVRI Entebbe or Mulago Hospital in Kampala — the certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination.
Do Ugandans need a Qatar visa just to transit through Doha?
No — if you stay airside and never pass through immigration, no Qatar visa is needed for a transit at Hamad International Airport. You only need the Hayya A1 visa if you intend to leave the airport and enter Qatar. Carry your yellow fever card regardless, as it may be checked.

Data Sources & Verification

Last verified:

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Where to Apply

Hayya Platform (Qatar Ministry of Interior)

Online

https://hayya.qa/

24/7 online

Create a Hayya account, select the A1 Entry Visa, upload passport bio page and photo, attach the confirmed hotel booking and return ticket, then pay QAR 100 by card. The approval arrives by email and must be printed or saved for check-in.

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