As we were hoping, the visa upon arrival has been extended.
The Qatar UK Embassy has a rather confusing message which could mean anything, but the US Embassy states:
"Visa Upon Arrival Has Been Extended Until Further Notice"
You can see the notice here: Qatar Embassy Visa Form.
We checked with the British Embassy's press officer, and was told that the Embassy had heard the plan was under review. Meanwhile, the British embassy website says:
We have been advised by the Government of Qatar that the plan to remove – from 1 May - the provision whereby British passport holders can obtain a visitors visa on arrival in Qatar will not now go ahead. British visitors intending to travel to Qatar may currently apply for a visa on arrival in Qatar.
If you are planning to visit Qatar, please check with your embassy and airline to see if there has been any change in visa regulations - as we have said for years, things can change very rapidly in Qatar.
For more comprehensive information see our page Qatar Visas (which we'll be updating with this information in just a minute!)
Also see: Canceling your Visa
