Since November 25, 2025, Canada has officially lifted its visa requirement for Qatari nationals, allowing them to travel to the country more easily for both tourism and business purposes.
“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,” said Lena Metlege Diab, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) also emphasized that “Canada is committed to organized and managed migration. Qatar met Canada’s strict criteria for visa-free travel following an in-depth review of risks and economic benefits. This change underscores the strength of our bilateral cooperation and will stimulate growth in our tourism and business sectors, while safely maintaining Canada’s commitment to managed migration.”
eTA, a new mandatory step for air travelers from Qatar
While Qatari citizens are no longer required to obtain a visa, those who do not already hold a valid temporary resident visa must now apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to enter Canada by air. Holders of a still-valid visa may continue to use it until it expires or until their passport does.
An eTA is a mandatory digital document for most visa-exempt travelers arriving in Canada by air. The application is completed online and only requires a valid passport, a credit card, and an email address.
The eTA costs 7 CAD and most applications are approved within minutes, although some cases may require additional review.
The eTA is electronically linked to the applicant’s passport and remains valid for up to five years, or until the passport used expires. It allows stays in Canada of up to 180 days per entry and enables Canadian authorities to conduct pre-departure screening, ensuring a balance between travel facilitation and migration security.
Canada / Qatar: growing bilateral relations
Canada’s decision to exempt Qatari visitors from visas comes amid strengthened cooperation with Qatar.
In 2024, bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to approximately 325 million Canadian dollars, and nearly 9,000 Qatari visitors traveled to Canada, an increase of 11.5% compared to the previous year.
The two states, which are celebrating more than fifty years of diplomatic relations, collaborate in strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, agribusiness, and critical minerals.
Furthermore, the expansion of air service following the amended Air Transport Agreement at the end of 2024 has helped intensify human and commercial exchanges between the two countries.
