Qatar's Hayya eVisa platform wins international award for digital innovation

The platform serves as Qatar's central digital portal for visa processing, event access, and permit issuance

Qatar's Hayya platform, the country's official eVisa gateway, has won a Silver Stevie Award for innovation in public administration, recognizing its role in transforming travel and tourism through digital solutions.

According to the Qatar News Agency, published on May 4, 2026, Qatar Tourism announced that the platform won in the Innovation in Public Administration category at the 2026 Stevie Awards Middle East and North Africa.

The Hayya platform serves as Qatar's central digital portal, streamlining entry procedures by integrating visa and event services into a single user-friendly interface.

A comprehensive eVisa ecosystem

The platform has evolved into a comprehensive digital system for eVisa processing, event access, and permit issuance, seamlessly integrated with government systems. Its ecosystem includes a mobile app, the Hayya Portal (HMP), Accreditation and Permits System (HACS), Hayya Move, Reporting System (HRS), and Group Visa and Accreditation service (GVA).

The platform leverages advanced technologies such as optical character recognition, artificial intelligence for image verification, and near-field communication passport scanning to streamline data entry and enhance operational efficiency.

Recognition of digital transformation

Saeed Al Kuwari, Director of Hayya, said the recognition reflects the continuous evolution of the platform as a national system supporting digital transformation across the tourism ecosystem.

"We remain focused on developing solutions that enhance operational efficiency and deliver a seamless experience for visitors and partners, contributing to the long-term growth of Qatar's tourism sector," he added.

Maggie Miller, President of the Stevie Awards, said the organization was pleased to recognize the achievements of this diverse group of organizations across the Middle East and North Africa in the 2026 Stevie Awards MENA. The awards ceremony will be held on September 11 at the InterContinental Istanbul in Turkey.