Hayya Wins Global Tech Award

Qatar Tourism’s Hayya platform has been awarded a Silver Stevie® Award in the “Technical Innovation of the Year – Government Technology” category at the 2026 Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence, recognising its role in advancing digital transformation and smart government services.

The award highlights Hayya’s continued development as an AI-enabled digital platform that integrates automated services, improving the visitor experience while supporting Qatar’s tourism sector and major international events.

Originally launched as a visitor entry platform, Hayya has evolved since 2024 into a connected national digital ecosystem, bringing together e-visa processing, identity verification, approvals, payments, notifications and access services through a unified digital workflow.

The platform uses advanced technologies including optical character recognition (OCR) for document extraction, passport data processing, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)-compliant photo verification and automated validation systems.

These innovations have helped improve efficiency, reduce manual processing and increase accuracy. In 2025, Hayya processed nearly 850,000 applications, with one e-visa application completed on average every 35 seconds, while application correction rates dropped to 5% during the same period.

Hayya Director Saeed Al Kuwari said the recognition reflects the platform’s commitment to innovation, technology and user-focused solutions.

“This award is a testament to Hayya’s unwavering commitment to enhancing our services through innovation, technology, and user-centric solutions that deliver a seamless, hassle-free travel experience from visa application through to arrival,” he said.

Operated by Qatar Tourism, Hayya serves as Qatar’s official e-visa platform and a central digital gateway, providing integrated visa and event services through a single, user-friendly platform.

The achievement supports Qatar’s broader vision of building a smarter, more connected digital future while strengthening its position as a leading destination for international visitors.