Qatar Visa & Emigration Rules
Qatar is a small country, at 4,412 square miles, but is financially and culturally important nation on the Arabian peninsula. Home to the al-Jazeera news network and to a major oil and gas industry, Qatar is an important destination for business people. Stringent visa regulations for Qatar must be followed, whether the purpose of the visa is visiting, residency, immigration or emigration.
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Types
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Qatar offers eight types of visitor visas and two residency visas. Visitor visas include tourist visas, business visas and work visit visas. You can get visitor visas at the airport upon entry, in some cases, or from the Qatar Ministry of the Interior. The residency visas cover individual permanent work visas and family residency visas. Residency visas must come from the Ministry of the Interior.
Function
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Visitor visas are most appropriate for those people who will spend only a limited amount of time in Qatar. Tourist visas are valid for 14 days, with extensions for up to three months available. Work visas do not have a specific time frame, but there are different visas for visitors working for less than one year and for visitors planning to work for more than one year. Residency visas indicate a planned permanent stay in the country.
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Time Frame
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If you need a visa, you can apply in advance for the visa from the Ministry of the Interior. Short-term and tourist visas (for 14 days or less) usually receive approval within 24 hours. You can even obtain tourist visas at the Qatar border--the only adjacent country is Saudi Arabia--or at the airport. For longer-term stays, allow more time for processing the visa, as the Ministry of the Interior must individually approve such requests.
Geography
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Not all countries' citizens qualify for immediate visa approval at the border. Residents of 33 countries, including the United States, Canada, most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, some East Asian countries and Brunei, can enter as tourists without prior approval. Also, residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait can receive visas at the border. Residents of other countries must apply in advance from the Ministry of the Interior.
Considerations
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Immigration and emigration are strictly controlled by the government, and it is important to follow application rules carefully. Those with family members in Qatar will find it easiest to immigrate or visit, as there are special rules that apply in such cases.
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