Qatar: Entry Restrictions During 2022 FIFA World Cup
September 22, 2022
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At a Glance
- The Ministry of Interior of Qatar announced the suspension of entry into Qatar for all visitors not attending the FIFA World Cup tournament (with limited exceptions including for nationals of Qatar and holders of a residence permit, among others) from November 1, 2022 until December 23, 2022.
- Travelers to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup should be aware that they must obtain a Hayya Card to attend the tournament.
The situation
The Ministry of Interior of Qatar has announced the suspension of entry into Qatar for all visitors not attending the FIFA World Cup tournament, from November 1, 2022 until December 23, 2022.
A closer look
- Applies to all modes of entry. The suspension of entry applies to individuals entering by land, air and sea.
- Exceptions to entry ban. The following categories of individuals are exempt from the temporary entry ban:
- Nationals of Qatar;
- Nationals of Gulf Cooperative Council countries holding a Qatari Identity Card;
- Foreign residents holding a Qatari Identity Card;
- Holders of a personal recruitment visa; and
- Holders of a work entry permit.
- Emergency exceptions. Entry will be permitted in emergency situations, subject to the approval of the relevant government authorities.
- Hayya Card. All FIFA World Cup attendees must obtain a Hayya Card, which substitutes for an entry visa to Qatar, allows foreign nationals to attend matches and remain in the country until January 23, 2023. Currently, only those who have purchased a match ticket are eligible to apply for the Hayya Card.
Impact
Foreign nationals not attending the FIFA World Cup should be aware that they will not be able to enter the country from November 1, 2022 until December 23, 2022, unless they are in one of the exemption categories.
Background
It is expected that over a million travelers will visit Qatar during the FIFA World Cup. As a result, it is likely that the Qatari government is suspending other visitors due to the impact of visitors on local infrastructure, including airports; and in order to maintain a safe environment for visitors and residents, particularly with regard to COVID-19.
Looking ahead
It is expected that the restriction will be lifted on December 23, 2022, when the tournament concludes. We will report on the end of the suspension.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
