Doha: The Hayya platform has recently been recognized for its outstanding achievements in technology and innovation, securing two regional accolades. Hayya was named Winner in the Travel Technology - Business Services category at the Middle East Technology Excellence Awards 2025 and received the Best Use of Digital by Sector - Travel Industry title at the MENA Digital Awards 2025.
According to Qatar News Agency, Director of Hayya Saeed Al Kuwari expressed pride in the platform's recognition by two distinguished regional awards for digital innovation. This achievement highlights Hayya's evolution into a world-class platform, setting new standards for travel and tourism services. The focus on integrating advanced technologies ensures visitors enjoy seamless, secure, and efficient experiences, reinforcing Qatar's position as a leading global destination. The recent awards not only mark the successful delivery of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 but also fulfill the vision of establishing Hayya as a lasting legacy supporting Qatar's tourism sector. The commitment remains to the ongoing evolution of the platform, driving innovation and excellence in line with Qatar's tourism vision.
Originally designed to manage fan entry during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Hayya has transformed into a comprehensive e-visa ecosystem, offering five distinct visa categories: the Tourist Visa (A1), GCC Resident Visa (A2), Visa with ETA (A3), Companion of GCC Citizen Visa (A4), and Visa-Free for US Citizens (F1).
Hayya's continuous innovation has transformed visitor experiences through advanced B2C technologies, including Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for automated document extraction, the upcoming Arabic OCR implementation to improve accessibility for Arab nationals, and NFC-based passport scanning for instant passport data entry. On the B2B front, Hayya provides secure API integration enabling real-time ticket validation and identity-linked QR codes for seamless access across stadiums, hospitality venues, and transport services.
The platform has successfully supported some of Qatar's largest international events, including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the AFC Asian Cup 2023, the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, and the Web Summit Qatar 2024.
Operated by Qatar Tourism, Hayya serves as Qatar's official e-visa digital platform. As Qatar's central digital gateway, Hayya streamlines access to the country through integrated visa processing and event access, all within a single, user-friendly interface.
The platform is designed to facilitate e-visa services while integrating events, domestic tourism, transport, lifestyle experiences, and everyday services into one unified solution for living, traveling, and connecting.
Beyond enabling smooth entry via airports and land borders, it encourages visitors to explore Qatar's cultural landmarks, natural attractions, and vibrant year-round events. The platform also supports major events by delivering tailored digital solutions for organisers, delegates, and attendees.