Is it safe to travel to Qatar right now?

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Qatar’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Qatar set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact Qatar’s embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

If you are visiting Qatar, your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

If you are a resident of Qatar, your passport must be valid when you arrive.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can get a tourist visa on arrival if you’re travelling on a full British Citizen passport.

You must still get a visa in advance if:

• you’re travelling for any purpose other than tourism
• you hold another type of British passport

If you need to stay longer than 30 days, you must extend your visa waiver before it expires through the Qatar Ministry of Interior. If you do not do this, you may be fined. The fine must be paid before leaving Qatar.

There is more information on visa requirements and extensions on the Qatar Ministry of Interior website.

Travel bans

If you are subject to a travel ban, involved in legal proceedings, have unpaid debt or are a child subject to a custody dispute, you may be prevented from leaving Qatar by the Qatari authorities.

Transit passengers

At the airport, all bags are scanned. Transit passengers found with even residual amounts of drugs may be arrested. This includes drugs which may be legal in other countries, but not in Qatar.

Travellers cannot stay in the transit area for more than 24 hours between flights, even if you are booked into the transit hotel in the airport.

There is more information about transit through Qatar on the Hamad International Airport website.

Mandatory health insurance

If you’re staying in Qatar for more than 30 days, you must buy health insurance from a registered Ministry of Public Health ( MOPH) insurance provider before you travel.

For more guidance see the MOPH website.

The standard insurance premium is 50 Qatari riyals per person, per month.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Qatar, you must have certificates to prove you’ve had:

• a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk
• a polio vaccination in some circumstances

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about what goods you can take into and out of Qatar. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

It is illegal to import and sell vapes and electronic cigarette products. This includes the sale and purchase of related liquids and other similar products, including electronic shisha pipes. The law applies regardless of quantity and intended use. Customs officials may confiscate any such items from your luggage or from packages sent by post.

Qatar also prohibits the importation, sale and purchase of electronic cigarettes, liquids and other similar products, including electronic shisha pipes. The law applies regardless of quantity and intended use. Customs officials may seize and confiscate any such items from your luggage or from packages sent by post.

Taking medication into Qatar

Qatar has guidance on medications that you can bring into Qatar. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, contact the Qatari Embassy in the UK.

Taking money, precious metals or gems into Qatar

If you are taking money, precious metals or gems worth more than 50,000 Qatari riyals into Qatar, you must complete a declaration form. This includes:

• currency – Qatari riyal or foreign currencies
• travellers cheques, money orders, cheques, promissory notes (including those endorsed without restriction, incomplete, payable to a fictitious payee or signed but without the payee’s name)
• precious metals – such as gold, silver, platinum
• precious stones – such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, pearls

You must also give customs officials any other information they request.

If you break these rules, you could be fined or imprisoned, as well as the funds or goods being seized.

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Qatar.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: not required
Business visa: not required
Student visa: required
Work permit: required
Residence permit: required

Visas – Qatar Tourism

Residence and work permits

You must have both a residence and work permit to work in Qatar. To receive these permits, you must be sponsored by an employer.

While most employees are free to leave and enter Qatar, the employer controls the issuance of exit permits for essential employees. The employer may designate up to 5% of its employees as “essential.” If you are identified as an “essential employee”, you must obtain your employer's permission to exit Qatar, even for personal or emergency travel.

In the event of a contract or employment dispute, Qatari authorities refer to the Arabic language of a contract.

Entry bans

You could be denied entry if:

• your passport contains an Israeli visa, an Israeli border stamp or an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp issued at a crossing with Israel
• you were previously arrested, convicted, deported, or involved in legal proceedings in Qatar. Verify your eligibility to re-enter with Qatari authorities before travelling.

Exit bans

Local authorities may prevent you from leaving Qatar if you have incurred loans and debts with a Qatari institution. You must be free of loans and debts to leave the country.

Similarly, a pending legal proceeding may cause authorities to issue a travel ban that would prevent you from leaving Qatar.

Health insurance

You must obtain a health insurance policy recognised by the Qatari Ministry of Public Health to enter Qatar. You can find the list of recognised insurance providers and purchase the insurance policy online.

Useful links

• Mandatory Health Insurance Scheme – Ministry of Public Health of Qatar
• List of registered insurance providers – Ministry of Public Health of Qatar

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).