Hassle-free visa for Asian Cup fans
OHA: Football fans from abroad, particularly from the Asian countries and Australia, who are wishing to attend the Asian Cup 2011 in Doha can take advantage of a new entry visa being offered by Qatar.
The visa will be available on arrival at the airport and other ports of entry for foreigners visiting the country during the tournament that kicks off on January 7.
Football fans can now apply on line through the e-Government portal and the websites of the AFC Asian Cup and the Qatar Football Association.
“The new entry visa is part of our efforts to attract as many foreign tourists to the country as possible during the Asian Cup. The Qatar Local Organising Committee of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 (QLOC) is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and e-Government to facilitate easy entry for football fans from all over the world during the tournament,” Asian Cup director Hilal Al Mohannadi told The Peninsula yesterday.
Applications can be posted through a special link available on the AFC Asian Cup website, www.afcasiancup.com, the QFA website, www.qfa.com.qa and Hukoomi website, www.gov.qa.
This visa will be issued on arrival at the airport or border only during the duration of the tournament. The applicants must carry a return ticket to the point of origin and must possess the amount of QR5000 or equivalent or a valid major Credit Card.
“These requirements will be strictly enforced by the Airport Authorities on arrival. Failure to meet any of the above requirements will result in denial of entry to the country,” according to the Hukoomi website.
The single entry visa will be issued for a duration of a maximum 30 days. A fee of QR100 will be charged for each visa.
The applicants are required to fill a simple form with personal details and details of the dependents travelling with the applicant, if any. They will be informed about the status of the application.
Al Mohannadi said the visa would be available to people from all nationalities without any “discrimination.”
“We hope the new entry visa would give a further boost to football fans planning to visit Qatar for the Asian Cup. We are also expecting a number of visitors from other GCC countries. People have already started applying since the service was launched today,” he added.
Sixteen countries are vying for the coveted AFC Asian Cup, hosted in five stadiums across the country. The tournament runs from January 7 to 29.
Ticket prices start from QR5 and can be purchased online through the website, www.afcafcasiancup.com or at AFC outlets in Villaggio, City Center, Landmark and The Mall.
http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/136566-hassle-free-visa-for-asian...
D4W, No.
"The single entry visa will be issued for a duration of a maximum 30 days"
would that visa be extendable, upon completion of 30 dayz, just like pay & play!
Planning is an art!
One more issue, at the departure airport, they will not let you board the plane without a valid Qatari visa or RP, how they are going to change that on such a short notice?
2 weeks before the event they announce this?? this reflect that the organizers have a low sense of timing.
It is holiday and travel season, people have to apply for vacation and make airline reservations, it cannot be done on such a short notice.
I think this is a corrective action once they discovered that tickets are not sold for most of the events. Have they announced this 3 months ago, the result would be alot different.
hassle is just started for qatar and it will end after worldcup 2022
I doubt if Qatar will have considerable visitors from abroad GCC for this Asian Cup.
Well Lets see how many more Fans from the sub-continent and philipines will arrive during this period..:)