KARACHI: Qatar has introduced the visa-on-arrival facility for Pakistani citizens, according to information available on the Qatar Airways website.

Pakistanis can now obtain visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days under the new rules. They can also apply to extend their stay by another 30 days.

Pakistanis availing of the facility must have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival, and an air ticket showing that the traveller will be leaving the country, said the Qatari national flag carrier.

A travel agent confirmed the facility was not available earlier.

Travel Agents Association of Pakistan (Taap) vice chairman Hassan Masud Mirza told Dawn he came to know about the development on Wednesday.

However, former Taap chairman Yahya Polani said the visa-on-arrival facility was only available through Qatar Airways, and not through any travel agent.

Qatar Airways could not be immediately reached for comment.

The move came days after Qatar, isolated by its neighbours in a diplomatic crisis, offered visa-free entry to 80 countries earlier this month.

Pakistan was not among these countries, according to a list published on the Qatar Airways’ website.

There are 25 countries, excluding Qatar, that Pakistanis can visit either without visa or with visa on arrival.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2017