FIFA World Cup: Qatar 2022 & Hayya Card – What you need to know

Since its launch in 1930, the World Cup football tournament has become one of the most anticipated events in sports, uniting football lovers across the globe every four years. The upcoming 2022 tournament is special for another reason: the World Cup will be held in the Middle East for the first time in the tournament’s history.

Since its bid in 2009, Qatar has invested billions of dollars to prepare for the World Cup. The tournament promises to allow Qatar to showcase its rich history, culture, identity and hospitality to fans, and many look forward to visiting the Middle East for the momentous and historic occasion.

Traveling to Qatar for the World Cup?

Once your tickets have been secured, you can explore the varied and robust accommodation options the country offers, including fan villages, cruise ship hotels and more. The FIFA organizing committee has set up a dedicated website for accommodation options located here. Ticket holders may also stay with friends or relatives during the tournament.

Don’t forget your Hayya card!

Regardless of one’s accommodations while visiting Qatar for the World Cup, securing a Hayya card is required for anyone who wants to enter the country for the tournament. The Hayya card acts as your entry permit to the State of Qatar, access to stadiums and also match day travel. Directions for securing the Hayya card can be found here.

It is important to note that those who are staying with friends or relatives will need to ensure that their host has registered to host guests as well.

The FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee has also recently announced that Hayya Card holders will be able to link up to three non-ticketed fans to their Hayya card. This will allow these three fans to enter Qatar between the 20^th of November and 6^th of December even without a ticket.

Regional travel

Travelers holding a valid Hayya card will also be eligible for a multiple entry visit visa to the UAE and Saudi Arabia (additional information on this topic can be found here).

It is expected that other countries in the Middle East will also follow suit, meaning that this World Cup will give fans the opportunity to explore the region. 

Will other visa applications be issued during the World Cup?

At the time of writing this blog, no restrictions have been formally announced by the Qatar authorities on the issuance of new visas (for work or family) or entry into the State of Qatar.

However, as the tournament start date approaches, we may see an increase in processing times of other visa categories and possible restrictions related to entry into the country. What is clear, however, is that anyone (apart from Qatari nationals and Qatar Residence Permit holders who only need the Hayya card to enter Stadiums but not Qatar) seeking to enter the country from 1 November onwards will require a Hayya card.

Need to know more?

For further information or for assistance regarding travel requirements for the Middle East, please contact Vladimir Jankovic at [email protected] or Tijana Stojanovic at [email protected]. This blog was published on 14 September 2022, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes.

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