QatarEnergy's liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facilities, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar March 2, 2026. (Credit: Reuters)
Qatari authorities decided Wednesday to suspend the visa-on-arrival system granted to Lebanese nationals. From now on, any traveler coming from Lebanon must possess a valid visa before departure. The information, reported by several media outlets, was confirmed to L’Orient Today by a travel agency.
Lebanese nationals must now obtain their visa online through the official platform hayya.qa, and carry a printed copy of the visa confirmation to present at border checkpoints. A source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured us that "this decision is temporary" and that Lebanon "does not plan to adopt a similar measure." The source added that "the Qataris specify that it does not target Lebanon alone, but also concerns other countries."
Qatar's national airline, Qatar Airways, confirmed these new requirements on its official website. "Passengers must have a valid visa issued by Qatar," the airline emphasized. "They may obtain an e-visa before departure on the hayya.qa website. They must also present a printed copy of the approval for this electronic visa."
