Male travellers are no longer eligible for Qatari visas unless accompanied by their families, according to new regulations announced by the country’s Ministry of Interior.
The Qatari authorities said the measures followed repeated cases of overstays by Nigerian visitors.
Under the new policy, only female applicants and family groups are allowed to apply for tourist or transit visas. Applicants must also provide proof of confirmed return transfers along with hotel reservations before a visa can be processed.
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In addition, only five-star hotel bookings will now be accepted for visa qualification.
The new rules take immediate effect and apply to both fresh and pending applications.
Overstaying a visa in Qatar incurs a fine of QAR 200 per day. In addition, violators risk deportation, travel bans, or blacklisting, which can negatively affect future travel prospects
For Nigerian travellers, these new restrictions present an additional hurdle in travelling to Qatar, a country that has long been a key destination for both business and tourism.
However, with the new rules now in effect, only family groups and women will be able to navigate the visa process under the revised criteria. This shift in policy reflects Qatar’s growing concern over visitor overstays and aims to mitigate the risks associated with such violations, ensuring smoother international travel for all involved
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
