Qatar suspends entry for visitors during FIFA World Cup

The Ministry of Interior of Qatar organized a press conference in which the Director of Public Relations at the Ministry and the Head of the Media Unit of the Safety and Security Operations Committee (SSOC) of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Brigadier Abdullah Khalifa Al Muftah, and Executive Director at the Office of the Commander of the Tournament Security Operations Lt. Col. Jassem Al Sayed, announced the different procedures and controls for entry and exit to and from the State of Qatar during the FIFA World Cup 2022, covering the country’s air, land, and marine borders.

During the press conference held in Doha on September 21st, 2022, Brigadier Al Muftah informed that it was decided to suspend the entry of visitors to the State of Qatar from 1 November 2022 to 23 December 2022, except for Qatari citizens, residents and citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council holding a Qatari ID card, and holders of personal recruitment visas and work entry permits, such as those held by domestic workers or drivers. This ensures that services pertaining to Qatari citizens and residents will not be affected by border policies linked to the FIFA World Cup 2022.

Exceptions for humanitarian cases, such as death or sickness, will be contemplated through an official application platform launched for this purpose. Once approved, international travelers can enter Qatar under that exception, regardless of the temporary entry and exit rules established due to the FIFA World Cup 2022. 

People who own a Hayya Card, an entry permit to the State of Qatar and stadium access for football fans, will be allowed multiple entries to Qatari territory from 1 November 2022 to 23 December 2022. They will also be authorized to stay in the country until 23 January 2023. Cases of overstay beyond the due date will be subject to legal procedures specified by the Qatari law and applied if violated.

These decisions are part of the efforts that Qatari competent authorities have made to provide easy and secure entry and exit to and from the country’s entry ports during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

In the name of the Ministry of Interior of Qatar, Brigadier Al Muftah also called on all individuals to abide by the specified laws and regulations in order to ensure the success of the State of Qatar’s organization and hosting of this important football event.