Hayya wins Silver Stevie Award for technical innovation in government technology

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Qatar Tourism's Hayya platform won a Silver Stevie Award for Technical Innovation of the Year in Government Technology, recognizing its advanced AI-driven digital ecosystem for e-visa processing and government services. The platform’s integration of cutting-edge technologies has significantly improved efficiency and accuracy, supporting Qatar’s vision for a smarter, more connected future in tourism and international event management.

Qatar Tourism has announced that its Hayya platform has received a Silver Stevie Award in the category of “Technical Innovation of the Year in Government Technology” at the 2026 Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence. The recognition highlights the platform's development as a digital tool integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance government services.

Originally launched as a visitor entry platform, Hayya has evolved since 2024 into a comprehensive national digital ecosystem that supports Qatar’s tourism sector, government functions, and major international events. The platform now offers a unified e-visa processing system that combines identity verification, approvals, payments, notifications, and access services within a single automated workflow.

Qatar Tourism officials noted that the platform incorporates advanced technologies such as optical character recognition (OCR) for document extraction, passport data parsing, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) photo-compliance checks, and automated validation processes. These innovations have improved operational efficiency, reduced the need for manual intervention, and increased the accuracy of processing.

In 2025, Hayya processed nearly 850,000 e-visa applications, averaging one processed application every 35 seconds. The platform also achieved a correction rate of just 5%, reflecting enhanced accuracy and user experience.

Saeed al-Kuwari, director of Hayya, emphasized that the award underscores the platform’s commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to provide a seamless travel experience, from visa application to arrival. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to use digital transformation to support Qatar’s goal of building a smarter and more interconnected future.

Hayya operates as Qatar's official e-visa platform and a central digital gateway, streamlining entry to the country through a user-friendly interface that integrates visa processing with event access management.

The Stevie Awards, which receive over 12,000 entries annually from more than 70 countries, recognize outstanding performance across various areas in the workplace. The awards cover nine categories, including The American Business Awards, The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, The Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, and The Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence, among others.

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