Important Updates
Important Updates
May 29, 2025 | United StatesBloomberg: Harvard Dragged Deeper Into Trump's 'America First' Visa Fight
May 30, 2025 | BelarusBelarus: More Onerous Requirements for Employers of Temporary Residents Forthcoming
May 30, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union/Schengen Area: Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
May 30, 2025 | United KingdomSpace-Comm: The Rapid Expansion of the Space Sector, Expected to Reach a Value of $1.8 Trillion by 2035, Marks the Beginning of a New Era in Space Exploration and Innovation
May 30, 2025 | 🌐Worldwide/Russia: Update on Visa Suspensions for Russian and Belarusian Nationals
May 29, 2025 | United StatesBloomberg: Harvard Dragged Deeper Into Trump's 'America First' Visa Fight
May 30, 2025 | BelarusBelarus: More Onerous Requirements for Employers of Temporary Residents Forthcoming
May 30, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union/Schengen Area: Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
May 30, 2025 | United KingdomSpace-Comm: The Rapid Expansion of the Space Sector, Expected to Reach a Value of $1.8 Trillion by 2035, Marks the Beginning of a New Era in Space Exploration and Innovation
May 30, 2025 | 🌐Worldwide/Russia: Update on Visa Suspensions for Russian and Belarusian Nationals
May 29, 2025 | United StatesBloomberg: Harvard Dragged Deeper Into Trump's 'America First' Visa Fight
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcastsVideos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapFragomen Consulting EuropeAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Fragomen Consulting Europe
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

Qatar Blockade and its Impact on Immigration in GCC

October 30, 2017

Vladmir Jankovic Body Image

Countries / Territories

  • 🌐

Related contacts

Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Doha][Manager][Vladimir Jankovic]

Vladimir Jankovic

Senior Director

Doha, Qatar

Email

[email protected]

T:+974 4019 1103

Related offices

  • Doha
  • Dubai (DIC)

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Doha][Manager][Vladimir Jankovic]

Vladimir Jankovic

Senior Director

Doha, Qatar

Email

[email protected]

T:+974 4019 1103

Related offices

  • Doha
  • Dubai (DIC)

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Doha][Manager][Vladimir Jankovic]

Vladimir Jankovic

Senior Director

Doha, Qatar

Email

[email protected]

T:+974 4019 1103

Related offices

  • Doha
  • Dubai (DIC)

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

By: Vladimir Jankovic

GCC: Gulf Cooperation Council: Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait

VOA: Visa on Arrival. Visa that can be obtained at the airport upon arrival to Qatar or UAE based on the applicant’s nationality or GCC residency.

RP: Residence Permit allowing the holder to reside in the country for more than 12 months.

More than four months have passed since Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain severed diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed a blockade. The resulting situation has had a profound impact on various aspects of life in Qatar and within the GCC and Arab world. In this blog, I will examine the consequences of the blockade and the severing of diplomatic ties in various areas.

Impact on Saudi, UAE, and Bahraini nationals

When diplomatic ties were cut on June 7th, Saudi, UAE, and Bahraini nationals residing in Qatar were given a one to two-week grace period by their home countries to leave Qatar. This forced many employees of Qatari companies, students, family members, and relatives to leave Qatar with short notice. As a result, businesses in Qatar that employed Saudi, UAE, and Bahraini nationals, who often held high-level positions with signatory powers, were left scrambling to find alternatives to ensure business continuity. Further, Saudi, UAE, and Bahraini nationals studying at universities in Qatar had to abruptly cease their studies and were left with no clear path towards completing them on time and per their academic schedules. Additionally, while exceptions were ultimately made on humanitarian grounds, Saudi, UAE and Bahraini nationals married to Qataris and residing in Qatar were initially forced to exit Qatar.

Impact on Qatari nationals

Qatari nationals who were living in one of the blockading countries faced challenges similar to their Saudi, Emirati and Bahraini counterparts living in Qatar, as Saudi, the UAE and Bahrain gave Qatari nationals in their countries two weeks to leave the country. Qatari nationals are currently forbidden to visit, transit through, or reside in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. This obviously has a tremendous impact on Qatari nationals who had been long-term residents or worked in one of the countries. Although a Qatari national holding a second nationality may be eligible to enter Saudi Arabia, the UAE, or Bahrain on the second passport, it is not clear if the blockading countries would allow entry.

Most GCC countries, including Qatar, suspend residence permits if the holder spends more than six consecutive months outside of the country of residence. If the blockade continues for more than six months, many GCC nationals who hold a residence permit in another GCC state will find that their permits either have expired or have been cancelled due to spending more than six months out of the country.

Impact on GCC Residence Permit Holders

When diplomatic ties were severed, the blockading countries immediately banned all direct flights between their countries and Qatar. Pre-blockade, multiple flights between Qatar and the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Egypt departed and arrived every hour daily. Expats living in Dubai frequently took advantage of this convenience to conduct business activities in Qatar during the work week, returning to their families for the weekend. This was also true for expats living in Doha who made weekly trips to Dubai. The blockade has turned this trip from a simple, direct, 45-minute flight to a journey requiring half a day or more, as travellers must now transit through one of the neutral Gulf States such as Oman or Kuwait.

Furthermore, with the severing of diplomatic ties, the blockading countries currently do not recognize Qatar RPs. Consequently, expats who were formerly eligible for a UAE visa-on-arrival (VOA) at the Dubai airport or an online eVisa based on a Qatar RP lost these visa options. Travellers not eligible for a VOA based on nationality still may apply for a business visa prior to the intended date of travel, a process that can take several days or weeks, depending on the circumstances.

Additionally, multinational companies in the region often have a Dubai-based regional director who also holds a Qatar RP to serve as a signatory for their Qatar entities. Due to the increased travel complications, such companies have had to scramble to add additional signatories or representatives to their legal entities in Qatar to ensure business continuity.

Saudi Business Visas

Before the blockade, many Qatar work RP holders applied at the Saudi consulate in Qatar for Saudi Arabia (“KSA”) business visas to conduct short-term business in Saudi Arabia. Because Saudi Arabia closed its consulate in Qatar when it severed diplomatic ties, applications for KSA business visas presently are impossible to obtain in Qatar. Qatar-based business travellers now must travel to their countries of citizenship to apply for a KSA business visa. For example, a French national holding a Qatar work RP now must apply for a KSA visa in France.

Document Attestation and Courier Service Delays

Since Qatar’s consulates have been closed in the countries that severed diplomatic ties, the attestation of documents issued in one of the blockading countries for use in Qatar has become far more complicated. Attestation now requires additional steps that extend processing times and increase costs. The same is true for documents issued in Qatar that require attestation for use in one of the blockading countries.

Due to the cancellation of all flights and courier services between the blockading countries and Qatar, all documents must be sent via third countries. This has increased the cost and time needed to move documents from one country to another. What formerly took two business days can now take five to ten business days.

Qatar Extends Visa on Arrival List and Includes Lebanon

Only a few weeks after the start of the blockade, Qatar Immigration announced the extension of eligibility for VOA in Qatar to 80 countries. More information on this topic can be found in our newsflash. However, an item of particular interest is the addition of Lebanon to the list of eligible countries. Since late 2013, Lebanese nationals have found it difficult to obtain Qatar work, business, and family visas. The addition of Lebanon to this list could be a sign of better days for Lebanese nationals wanting to reside in Qatar. While Fragomen is monitoring the situation closely, to date no dramatic improvement has been noted.

Suspension of Egyptian Visa Applications in Qatar

Since the start of the blockade, Qatar has not implemented any official counter measures on nationals of the blockading countries. While the three blockading GCC countries ordered their citizens to leave Qatar, Qatar has taken no action against nationals of those countries. Further, Egypt did not instruct their citizens to exit Qatar, and Qatar has not taken action against the approximately 300,000 Egyptian nationals currently residing in Qatar – over 11% of Qatar’s total population of 2.6 million.

For decades, Egypt has provided Qatar with both a high- and low-skilled workforce, in roles ranging from laborers to positions in government ministries and as teachers and doctors. The number of Egyptians working in Qatar has increased substantially in recent years as restrictions were imposed, due to political or security reasons, on nationals of countries such as Syria, Libya, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan.

Although no official restrictions against Egyptian nationals have been announced by the Qatar government, in practice, the Ministry of Interior Immigration Department stopped issuing all new work, business and family visas for Egyptian nationals a few weeks into the blockade. In addition, Egyptian nationals holding GCC residence permits who were previously able to obtain Qatar VOAs based on GCC residency have found it more difficult to do so. In fact, very few Egyptian nationals currently are being granted entry to Qatar based on a VOA. Egyptian nationals frequently are being denied boarding of flights to Qatar or are being turned away upon arrival at the airport in Qatar.

Impact of immigration restrictions on business in Qatar

Businesses operating in Qatar are now finding it increasingly difficult to source talent and deploy resources to Qatar to support their projects and meet client requirements, both short- and long-term.

Short-term business travel has turned into a logistical headache, as companies now must plan trips well in advance and obtain visas pre-travel. Qatar’s recently-imposed restrictions on Egyptian nationals leave very little room for manoeuvre for businesses. Since nationals of Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Iraq and Jordan find it difficult or impossible to obtain work or business visas or visas on arrival, and Lebanese nationals have difficulty obtaining work and business visas, there now remains only a handful of Arab nationalities that have a realistic chance of obtaining approval for work or business visas or VOA.

Since many businesses in Qatar have lucrative government contracts where there is an expectation that the work performed should be done by an Arabic speaker, long-term hiring needs are proving harder to address. Historically, such work has been and is performed by nationals of countries that are now “restricted” in Qatar. Recruiting the best talent possible for the job can no longer be the top priority; perhaps at the expense of expertise, nationality now must be a greater consideration for recruiters and HR.

The market’s and the government’s responses to the current situation are still evolving. Given that Egyptian nationals currently are no longer able to obtain Qatar visas in Qatar, a relaxation of restrictions on other Arab nationalities, such as Lebanese and Jordanians, could become considerations.

Without a doubt, there is much work still to be done in developing the country’s infrastructure. To this point, Qatar has proven to be able to cope with many challenges resulting from the blockade, and the government’s understanding of immigration and its importance to the development of the state is now more important than ever before.

Learn more about the office in Qatar.

Countries / Territories

  • 🌐

Related contacts

Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Doha][Manager][Vladimir Jankovic]

Vladimir Jankovic

Senior Director

Doha, Qatar

Email

[email protected]

T:+974 4019 1103

Related offices

  • Doha
  • Dubai (DIC)

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Doha][Manager][Vladimir Jankovic]

Vladimir Jankovic

Senior Director

Doha, Qatar

Email

[email protected]

T:+974 4019 1103

Related offices

  • Doha
  • Dubai (DIC)

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Doha][Manager][Vladimir Jankovic]

Vladimir Jankovic

Senior Director

Doha, Qatar

Email

[email protected]

T:+974 4019 1103

Related offices

  • Doha
  • Dubai (DIC)

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Space-Comm: The Rapid Expansion of the Space Sector, Expected to Reach a Value of $1.8 Trillion by 2035, Marks the Beginning of a New Era in Space Exploration and Innovation

Partner Charlotte Wills and Director Kelly Hardman co-hosted the Space Law Legal Symposium with DLA Piper, highlighting immigration’s role in space sector growth.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg: Harvard Dragged Deeper Into Trump's 'America First' Visa Fight

Partner Daniel Pierce highlighted the challenges US universities face under new visa restrictions.

Learn more

Blog post

Unlocking Talent: Why Hiring Graduates on Immigration Permissions Is a Strategic Business Move

Senior Immigration Programme Consultant Salem Barakat shares how hiring graduates on immigration permissions is a strategic business move that unlocks talent and drives innovation.

Learn more

Blog post

A1 Certificate Fraud: Key Takeaways from the 2025 ECJ Decision

Director Wim Cocquyt and Senior Immigration Consultant Marina Ocariz discuss key takeaways from the 2025 ECJ decision on A1 certificate fraud.

Learn more

Media mentions

Dubai Eye: Managing Partner, Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI Workforce and Talent Mobility

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI talent shortage and how immigration policies are helping attract talent to the region.

Learn more

Blog post

La Naturalisation française par Décret : Des règles strictes et une exigence accrue de conformité

Senior Immigration Manager Géraldine Renaudière discusses France's tightening of the naturalization-by-decree process by enforcing stricter language, legal and financial requirements.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Irish Times: ‘Without People to Build Homes, It Won’t Happen’: Construction Workers Decry Shortage of Tradespeople

Partner Ángel Bello Cortés highlights Ireland’s respected work permit system and suggests a sector-specific permit to attract more non-EEA construction workers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Yorkshire Post: Yorkshire Businesses Should Prepare for Sweeping Immigration Rule Changes

Practice Leader Kathleen O’Donnell highlights how proposed UK immigration reforms could impact businesses in Yorkshire.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Insider: The Death of the Digital Nomad

Partner Charlotte Wills notes that while full-time, long-term remote work might become less common, many professionals continue to work from abroad through more structured, short-term arrangements.

Learn more

Video

How to Stay in France After Graduation: Immigration Options for International Students

In this video, Immigration Consultant Laura Varon Osorio walks you through everything you need to know about staying in France after graduation. Whether you’re looking to work, start a business or transition to a new immigration status, this guide covers key immigration pathways for international students.

Learn more

Media mentions

American Bar Association's How Things Work: The Legal Edition: F-1 Student Visa Revocations

Partners Michelle Jacobson and Sarah Peterson discuss recent SEVIS terminations and visa revocations and explore what these developments may mean for international students and universities.

Learn more

Media mentions

Classical Music: The Immigration Hurdles Facing UK Orchestras in Europe

Senior Immigration Programme Manager Louise Collins, Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Manager Andreia Ghimis explore the touring challenges UK orchestras face in Europe and discuss ways to ease mobility barriers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Space-Comm: The Rapid Expansion of the Space Sector, Expected to Reach a Value of $1.8 Trillion by 2035, Marks the Beginning of a New Era in Space Exploration and Innovation

Partner Charlotte Wills and Director Kelly Hardman co-hosted the Space Law Legal Symposium with DLA Piper, highlighting immigration’s role in space sector growth.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg: Harvard Dragged Deeper Into Trump's 'America First' Visa Fight

Partner Daniel Pierce highlighted the challenges US universities face under new visa restrictions.

Learn more

Blog post

Unlocking Talent: Why Hiring Graduates on Immigration Permissions Is a Strategic Business Move

Senior Immigration Programme Consultant Salem Barakat shares how hiring graduates on immigration permissions is a strategic business move that unlocks talent and drives innovation.

Learn more

Blog post

A1 Certificate Fraud: Key Takeaways from the 2025 ECJ Decision

Director Wim Cocquyt and Senior Immigration Consultant Marina Ocariz discuss key takeaways from the 2025 ECJ decision on A1 certificate fraud.

Learn more

Media mentions

Dubai Eye: Managing Partner, Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI Workforce and Talent Mobility

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI talent shortage and how immigration policies are helping attract talent to the region.

Learn more

Blog post

La Naturalisation française par Décret : Des règles strictes et une exigence accrue de conformité

Senior Immigration Manager Géraldine Renaudière discusses France's tightening of the naturalization-by-decree process by enforcing stricter language, legal and financial requirements.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Irish Times: ‘Without People to Build Homes, It Won’t Happen’: Construction Workers Decry Shortage of Tradespeople

Partner Ángel Bello Cortés highlights Ireland’s respected work permit system and suggests a sector-specific permit to attract more non-EEA construction workers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Yorkshire Post: Yorkshire Businesses Should Prepare for Sweeping Immigration Rule Changes

Practice Leader Kathleen O’Donnell highlights how proposed UK immigration reforms could impact businesses in Yorkshire.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Insider: The Death of the Digital Nomad

Partner Charlotte Wills notes that while full-time, long-term remote work might become less common, many professionals continue to work from abroad through more structured, short-term arrangements.

Learn more

Video

How to Stay in France After Graduation: Immigration Options for International Students

In this video, Immigration Consultant Laura Varon Osorio walks you through everything you need to know about staying in France after graduation. Whether you’re looking to work, start a business or transition to a new immigration status, this guide covers key immigration pathways for international students.

Learn more

Media mentions

American Bar Association's How Things Work: The Legal Edition: F-1 Student Visa Revocations

Partners Michelle Jacobson and Sarah Peterson discuss recent SEVIS terminations and visa revocations and explore what these developments may mean for international students and universities.

Learn more

Media mentions

Classical Music: The Immigration Hurdles Facing UK Orchestras in Europe

Senior Immigration Programme Manager Louise Collins, Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Manager Andreia Ghimis explore the touring challenges UK orchestras face in Europe and discuss ways to ease mobility barriers.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.