Travel To Qatar: What Us Citizens Need To Know

As of September 2024, US citizens are allowed to travel to Qatar without a visa for up to 30 days. From October 1, 2024, US citizens will be able to stay in Qatar without a visa for up to 90 days. However, there are some requirements that US citizens must meet before travelling to Qatar, including being fully vaccinated against Covid-19 with one of the vaccines approved by the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar and presenting a negative PCR test result that is less than 72 hours old upon arrival in Qatar.

US citizens can stay in Qatar for 90 days without a visa

US citizens are allowed to travel to Qatar and can stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa. This is due to Qatar's recent inclusion in a visa waiver program. This program allows citizens of qualifying nations to enter the US for business or tourism without a visa for up to 90 days. In exchange, citizens of the US, who were already allowed to visit Qatar without a visa for up to 30 days, will now be able to stay for 90 days without one.

To enter Qatar, US citizens must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, taken within 72 hours before departure. They must also quarantine for 7 days upon entering the country, unless they have proof of being fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the Ministry of Public Health of Qatar. In this case, they must take a COVID-19 test on day 6 of quarantine and end quarantine with a negative result.

All travellers to Qatar are also required to download and activate the official contact tracing application 'Ehteraz'. A Qatari SIM card is required for this purpose.

It is important to note that these requirements are subject to change, and travellers should always consult official government sources for the most up-to-date information before planning their trip.

Qatar is the second Muslim-majority country in the US Visa Waiver Program

US citizens are allowed to travel to Qatar. In fact, US passports can now be renewed online. As of October 1, 2024, they can stay in Qatar for up to 90 days without a visa, provided they have a passport valid for at least three months from arrival and a confirmed hotel booking. Previously, they could only stay for 30 days without a visa.

On September 24, 2024, the US government announced that Qatar would be admitted to the Visa Waiver Program, making it the second Muslim-majority country to be part of the program. The first Muslim-majority country to be admitted was the Southeast Asian nation of Brunei. Qatar is the 42nd member of the program, which allows citizens of qualifying nations to enter the US for business or tourism without a visa for up to 90 days. The admission of Qatar into the Visa Waiver Program is a testament to the strong strategic partnership between the two countries.

To be admitted to the Visa Waiver Program, a country must meet strict requirements related to counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration enforcement, document security, and border management. These include having a nonimmigrant visa refusal rate of below 3% in the previous fiscal year, issuing secure travel documents, and extending reciprocal entry privileges to US citizens and nationals without regard to national origin, religion, ethnicity, or gender. Qatar's admission into the program is a result of its strong security partnership with the US and its commitment to meeting the stringent security requirements.

The Visa Waiver Program enhances security and facilitates legitimate travel and commerce between the US and qualifying countries. Qatar's participation will increase information sharing and strengthen the security of both nations. It will also make travel between the two countries safer and more accessible for citizens of both nations.

Visitors to Qatar must register on a government website 12 hours before departure

Qatar has eased travel restrictions for Indian citizens, allowing them to visit Doha with approved visas. All visitors, including US citizens, must register on the website www.ehteraz.gov.qa at least 12 hours before their flight departure to obtain a travel permit. This mandatory registration requirement is in addition to the usual visa process.

The Qatari government has made the use of its official contact tracing application, Ehteraz, mandatory for anyone wishing to enter malls and restaurants or use public transportation or cabs. Therefore, all travellers are advised to download and activate the app using a Qatari SIM card.

In addition to the registration and health requirements, visitors to Qatar should be aware of the country's strict customs regulations. Alcohol, narcotics, pork products, weapons or weapon-related articles, drones, professional photography equipment, and pornographic or sexually-related materials are prohibited from being brought into the country. Qatar also has strict laws regarding dress codes, religion, and LGBTQI+ rights, and visitors should be mindful of these cultural sensitivities.

Regarding visas, US citizens can obtain a free tourist visa upon arrival if they have a valid US passport with six months' validity and a return or onward ticket. This visa is valid for 30 days and can be extended for an additional 30 days. However, for stays of 30 days or more, visitors must obtain health insurance from a registered provider with the Ministry of Public Health before travelling.

A negative COVID-19 test result is required to enter Qatar

US citizens can travel to Qatar, and the two countries share strong bilateral relations. US citizens can obtain a 30-day tourist visa on arrival, with the option to extend for another 30 days. However, there are specific conditions and requirements that must be met to qualify for this visa.

Firstly, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date. You should also possess a return or onward flight ticket and secure hotel booking or confirmed accommodation. If your intended stay in Qatar exceeds 30 days, it is mandatory to acquire visitor's health insurance through the MOPH website.

In addition to these standard requirements, there are COVID-19-related measures that US citizens must comply with when travelling to Qatar. As of January 1, 2022, the United States has been added to Qatar's Red List for travel. This means that all US citizens entering Qatar as tourists and travelling from Red List countries are required to present a negative PCR COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of their arrival. They must also undergo another PCR test upon arrival at their quarantine hotel.

The quarantine requirements vary based on age, vaccination status, and residency in Qatar. US citizens over the age of 12 who are fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by Qatar's Ministry of Public Health or a conditionally approved vaccine will be subject to hotel quarantine for two days. Children 11 years old and below, accompanied by fully vaccinated parents, will also be subject to the same two-day hotel quarantine.

On the other hand, US citizens who are not fully vaccinated will face a longer quarantine period. Unvaccinated citizens will be subject to hotel quarantine for seven days. If you are a US citizen who is a resident of Qatar and returning from a Red List country, you must also comply with specific testing and quarantine protocols.

It is important to note that policies related to COVID-19 can change frequently as governments, including Qatar, adjust their public health and travel measures. Therefore, it is recommended that travellers monitor these policies closely and review them before commencing their journey.

Visitors to Qatar must download and activate the Ehteraz app

US citizens are allowed to travel to Qatar for up to 30 days without a visa. However, visitors to Qatar must download and activate the Ehteraz app, the country's official contact tracing application. Here are some important instructions and information regarding the Ehteraz app:

Firstly, all visitors to Qatar must register on the Ehteraz website (www.ehteraz.gov.qa) at least 12 hours before their flight departure to obtain a travel permit. This applies to all travellers, including those with approved visas, such as citizens, their immediate family members, permanent residents, and those visiting for business or tourism.

Secondly, the Ehteraz app must be downloaded and activated on your mobile device. It is recommended to do this before your arrival in Qatar, as the app requires activation using a Qatari SIM card. However, since October 2021, visitors have been able to activate the app using an international SIM card as well.

The Ehteraz app is necessary for visiting public places like malls and restaurants and for using public transportation or cabs. During the 2022 Qatar World Cup, visitors were also required to install the Hayya app, which was used for tracking match tickets and accessing the free Metro.

It is important to note that the Ehteraz app requires access to certain features on your mobile device. It asks for permission to read, delete, or change content, connect to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, override other apps, and prevent the phone from entering sleep mode. It can also access your exact location, make direct calls, and disable any screen lock. These permissions have raised concerns among security experts, who caution against granting such extensive access.

In conclusion, while US citizens can travel to Qatar visa-free, it is mandatory for all visitors to register on the Ehteraz website and download the Ehteraz app to facilitate their movement within the country. By following these instructions, visitors can ensure a smoother experience during their stay in Qatar.

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