Qatar Airways has introduced a new online system for applying for tourist visas to Qatar, available for passengers flying with the airlines, a report said.

The system can be accessed from qatarairways.com, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

"The new system eases the process of applying for a tourist visa to Qatar for eligible passengers," said a Qatar Airways spokesperson.

"It also provides passengers with the convenience of tracking their visa application status online."

Only one-month single-entry tourist visas are available and the visa must be used within 60 days from the date of issue.

The validity of the visa and the visa period cannot be extended.

A few simple steps are all that's needed for passengers to apply online.

It takes approximately 10 days to process the visa and the cost is $55 per person.

The option to fast-track the application is available at a cost of $120 per person and takes approximately seven days to process.

Visa application fees are non-refundable. There are certain terms for applying for a Qatar tourist visa with Qatar Airways.

Applicants need to have a confirmed ticket in and out of Doha on a Qatar Airways flight.

They also need a hotel booking through Discover Qatar, the airline's inbound holiday division, and the visa will be issued for the duration of their hotel stay only.

Lastly, the stay in Qatar must not exceed 30 days, and must be for tourism purposes only.

Qatar offers travellers an exciting mix of Western and Arabic influences, the airline said. – TradeArabia News Service