What is Hayya?
Hayya is a Qatari government digital identity and entry-permit platform launched to support the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The word means "come" in Arabic, reflecting the card's original role as an invitation credential for international football fans. The platform issues the Hayya Card, a digital credential that served simultaneously as a fan ID and a visa substitute allowing entry into Qatar for eligible visitors during the tournament period.
After the World Cup concluded, the Qatari government retained and repurposed elements of the platform. Its scope, eligibility rules, and available services have evolved significantly since late 2022, and the platform continues to be used in various visitor-entry and resident-linked contexts.
What Hayya is responsible for
During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Hayya Card performed several functions at once:
- Serving as the mandatory fan ID required to enter World Cup stadiums and match-day facilities.
- Operating as a visa substitute that allowed holders from eligible countries to enter Qatar without a separate tourist visa for the duration of the tournament.
- Granting access to the free public-transport network and a range of event-related services during the competition period.
After the tournament, the Hayya platform has been used in evolving ways. Depending on the programme active at any given time, it may allow eligible visitors to apply for a specific type of entry permit, link an account to an existing resident's QID, or access certain in-country services and benefits. The eligible nationalities, the type of access granted, and the in-country services available through Hayya have all changed since the World Cup ended. Always verify the current terms on the official portal before relying on Hayya for any travel or residency purpose.
How to use Hayya or check current status
- Visit the official Hayya portal at hayya.qa or download the Hayya app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
- Register with your passport details, nationality, and a valid email address.
- Check the current eligibility criteria displayed on the portal - these vary by nationality and by the specific programme or entry-permit category active at the time.
- Submit the required information and any supporting documents. Processing is typically digital, and approval confirmation is sent to your registered email or displayed in the app.
- Present the Hayya Card digitally at the point of entry or at participating venues and services. Confirm whether a printed copy is also acceptable, as requirements have changed with successive updates to the platform.
Because the platform's scope has shifted considerably since the 2022 tournament, it is critical to check the current rules at hayya.qa or through Qatar's official immigration channels before making any travel plans that depend on Hayya-based access.
What expats use Hayya for
Current Qatar residents most commonly encounter the Hayya platform in two ways: when family members or friends visiting from abroad ask whether they can enter Qatar using a Hayya Card instead of applying for a standard tourist visa, and when navigating the broader post-2022 landscape of Qatar's visitor-entry options. Residents whose visitors come from countries that participated in a Hayya-based visit programme should direct them to hayya.qa to check current eligibility, as the nationalities covered and the conditions attached change over time. Residents themselves may occasionally use a Hayya account to link a visitor's credentials to an in-country host, depending on the active programme rules. Given the evolution of the platform since 2022, do not assume the original World Cup entry rules apply to any current visit.