Qatar: Entry Restrictions Relaxed During FIFA World Cup for GCC Citizens and Residents
December 7, 2022

Effective immediately, the Ministry of Interior is allowing citizens and residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to enter Qatar without holding a FIFA World Cup ticket or obtaining a Hayya Card. In addition, beginning December 8, 2022, citizens and residents of GCC countries will be able to enter Qatar in a private vehicle via the land border with Saudi Arabia upon obtaining an entry permit from the Ministry of Interior at least 12 hours before entry. The permit will be free of charge. Other categories of individuals, including foreign nationals with no immigration status in the GCC, will still be restricted from entering Qatar unless they hold a Hayya Card during the FIFA World Cup.
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].
Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions
San Diego Managing Partner Karine Wenger discussed the upcoming Olympic immigration landscape and potential challenges for international participants.

Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce notes that limited social media activity or private accounts could lead to greater scrutiny for international students applying for US visas.

Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the opening of a new office in Cork, expanding its presence in Ireland to better support clients across the country's southern and western regions.

Awards
Fragomen is ranked both nationally and locally in "Best Law Firms in Australia" by The Best Lawyers.

Awards
Global Mobility Lawyer recognises Senior Immigration Manager Wout van Doren and Manager Tanya Loughran as Tomorrow's Leaders.

Media mentions
Partner Shayan Sultan discusses how Disneyland Abu Dhabi could impact hiring, Emiratisation and immigration planning in the UAE.

Media mentions
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.

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

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

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

Media mentions
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.

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

Media mentions
San Diego Managing Partner Karine Wenger discussed the upcoming Olympic immigration landscape and potential challenges for international participants.

Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce notes that limited social media activity or private accounts could lead to greater scrutiny for international students applying for US visas.

Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the opening of a new office in Cork, expanding its presence in Ireland to better support clients across the country's southern and western regions.

Awards
Fragomen is ranked both nationally and locally in "Best Law Firms in Australia" by The Best Lawyers.

Awards
Global Mobility Lawyer recognises Senior Immigration Manager Wout van Doren and Manager Tanya Loughran as Tomorrow's Leaders.

Media mentions
Partner Shayan Sultan discusses how Disneyland Abu Dhabi could impact hiring, Emiratisation and immigration planning in the UAE.

Media mentions
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.

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

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

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

Media mentions
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.

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