Business travel to Doha, planned from Pakistan
Doha is a compact, well-connected city for energy, construction, finance and government business. For Pakistani travellers the main work is choosing the right entry route, because Qatar’s rules for Pakistani passports have changed several times.
Doha for business travellers from Pakistan
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Entry routes | A business visa through an accredited Qatari host company, or Qatar’s Hayya platform. Qatar has also announced a visa on arrival for eligible Pakistanis for short visits. |
| Passport | Valid for at least six months for the business visa; check the exact rule for the route you use. |
| Airport | Hamad International Airport (DOH), about 15–20 minutes from West Bay by road. |
| Flight time | About two and a half to three and a half hours from Pakistan. |
| Working week | Sunday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday are the weekend. |
| Best months | November to March. |
| Health | Qatar has asked travellers coming directly from Pakistan for a polio vaccination certificate; Pakistan also requires one of outbound travellers. |
Which route fits your trip
If a Qatari client or partner is inviting you, the cleanest route is a business visa that the host company applies for through the Ministry of Interior. It puts the business purpose on record and suits repeat visits.
Without a host, Pakistanis can apply on Hayya, Qatar’s online platform, where the A1 entry visa for Pakistani passports is tied to a hotel booked through Discover Qatar. In November 2026 Qatar announced it had resumed a visa on arrival for eligible Pakistani nationals for short visits of up to 30 days, limited to activities such as meetings and conferences. Because these rules have changed several times, we confirm the current position for every trip and do not plan a company trip around arrival alone.
West Bay, Msheireb and Lusail
Doha is small enough that one hotel can serve most meetings, but the right base still saves time.
- West Bay for ministries, the Qatar Financial Centre, banks and corporate towers
- Msheireb Downtown for newer offices and government-linked organisations
- Lusail, north of the city, for new headquarters and large developments
- Education City and the Qatar Science and Technology Park for research and education partners
- The Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) in West Bay and the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) for events
Getting around and meeting culture
The Doha Metro links the airport, West Bay, Msheireb and Lusail and is clean and reliable. Taxis and ride-hailing fill the gaps. Meetings are polite and often unhurried; senior people may join late or leave early. Dress conservatively, and during Ramadan expect shorter working days and no eating in public in daylight hours.
How Go Global manages a Doha trip
Pick the route
Host visa, Hayya or arrival, based on your trip and the current rules.
Host pack
We send your Qatari host exactly what its application needs.
Bookings
Flights and a hotel; if Hayya is used, the Discover Qatar booking first.
Before departure
Polio certificate, return ticket and company letter checked.
After the trip
Single invoice and trip record.
Doha business travel questions
Do Pakistanis need a visa for Qatar?
It depends on the route. A business visa through a Qatari host, the Hayya A1 visa with a Discover Qatar hotel, and a visa on arrival for eligible short visits have all been available at different times. Check the current rules before booking.
Can I attend meetings on a tourist or arrival visa?
Qatar’s rules allow limited business-visitor activities such as meetings and conferences on short-visit routes, but not employment or paid work. For regular business visits, a host-sponsored business visa is clearer.
Is a polio certificate needed?
Travellers from Pakistan should carry a polio vaccination certificate. Pakistan requires it for outbound travel and Qatar has asked for it from travellers arriving directly from Pakistan.
What is the working week in Qatar?
Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday as the weekend.
Planning a trip to Doha?
Tell us who is travelling, when and why. We reply with a plan, the visa route and a quote. Email insights@goglobal.pk or WhatsApp 0320-4111222.