NEW LAW FOR EXPATS
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EXPRESS YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS IN THIS NEW LAW.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ALL EXPATS WORKING IN QATAR?
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Expats apprehensive about new visa regulations
By Peter Townson
Staff Reporter
New regulations for visa applications scheduled to be introduced on May 1 are causing a stir throughout the expatriate community in Qatar, with confusion and apprehension about the laws seemingly the overriding responses to the policy change.
Embassies from some of the 33 countries who currently receive visas on arrival in Qatar have confirmed that new regulations next month will mean that their citizens will need to apply for visas before arriving in the country.
Many believe this will make it difficult for family members, business associates and others to come to Qatar, and online forums have featured lengthy discussions about the pros and cons of the impending reciprocal regulations.
Some believe that the new rules are a step in the right direction, arguing that the fact that other countries require Qataris to apply for visas to enter, means the same rules should apply here.
“Fair deal! Getting a US or UK visa is a nightmare for many,” argued one blogger, “why should it be easy for the ‘33’?”
“By any means it is still going to be a whole lot simpler than standard US and UK visa processes - reciprocity is not just fair but the right thing to do,” they added.
“Why should these 33 countries be given the privilege anyway?” asked another member.
“Anyway the country doesn’t earn much from tourists - especially the Western ones,” they argued, claiming that the visas would not have much of an effect on Qatar’s economy due to the fact it did not rely heavily on the tourism sector.
Others are worried about the change, which will prevent family members travelling to see them in Qatar with the same ease as they have done in the past.
“Members of my family have visited me on an annual basis since I moved here seven years ago,” said one British expatriate, adding “but now they have to go through this process it seems much more of a hassle – especially as they will have to travel to the Qatari embassy in London next time they want to get a visa.”
Another concern for a number of people is the fact that they will no longer be able to perform “visa-runs” to renew their stay in Qatar.
Many expatriate family members and partners who are not on the sponsorship of their spouse have to leave Qatar on a regular basis to get a new visa, but the new regulations will make this impossible. Unless people choose to fly to their home nations each month to get their new visas, it seems that they will be faced with a choice, and many are looking at the future bleakly.
“This will make it impossible for me to stay here,” said one British woman, currently residing in Doha, “I cannot get sponsorship at my place of work so it will no longer be viable for me to stay in Qatar.”
And although there are many who argue that the reciprocal relationship is fairer for all involved, some have not been quite so understanding.
“This seems a bit of a joke,” posted one British expat on a social networking site, referring to Qatar’s efforts to boost tourism and bid to host the World Cup in 2022, claiming that the new regulations would make it much more difficult for fans to visit the country.
Businessmen have also voiced their concerns, claiming that business trips will become more difficult to organise, and pointing out that secondments which are commonplace here will no longer be as easily organised.
So although there are people on both sides of the debate, it seems that the impending change in law is causing dissatisfaction and worry among the expatriate community.
As one blogger warned: “Be sure this will make a lot of people unhappy and want to leave altogether.”
Good thing to do, Qatari's are rich and good tourists if not all of them, why the Visa hassle for them, if the 33 countries want to get into Qatar easily it should be the same for Qataris it is not like there are 50 Million Qataris waiting to flood the labour markets of those 33 countries.
Good thing to do, Qatari's are rich and good tourists if not all of them, why the Visa hassle for them, if the 33 countries want to get into Qatar easily it should be the same for Qataris it is not like there are 50 Million Qataris waiting to flood the labour markets of those 33 countries.
well looks like UAE also is getting into the act. It will not be long before every one takes up those rules.
http://khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2010/April/theuae_April527.xml§ion=theuae
34% say Qatar visa plan will harm 2022 World Cup bid
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/586394-34-say-qatar-visa-plan-will-harm-2022-world-cup-bid
Linc, I would agree with the department of business insiders leaking part if it was any other country. Here in Qatar, any news items related to the government would be screened by the government before it could see the day of light. There is no freedom of press here, especially in government related matters.
The article from peninsula also mentions - "But Qatar’s Foreign Ministry has said it has received requests from some countries to continue with the old system and allow their nationals sometime before the new entry visa rules are enforced."
I don't think Qatar is reliant on free flow of "Tourists" from these countries. But, I certainly do hope that if they are going to throw another tantrum, they give sufficient notice. Creates a lot of headache when everything is done last minute
I agree with genesis. Lots of speculation. Probably some department or business insiders that did not like the change leaked the new policy to the press in hopes of creating backlash and getting it stopped. If so, it worked.
Deepb--The Gulf Times article stated that the plan was suspended partly because of complaints from major businesses who worried about the effects of a visa policy change. Some department in Qatar might throw another tantrum, but it will likely have the same result (nothing changes). For now, Qatar is too reliant on the free flow of members of that list into the country. As soon as it is less reliant, then it can (and probably will) make the visa changes. I would see it as a sign of Qatar's economic independence rather than its aggregate wealth or global importance.
Was it false speculation genesis? Why is the press so irresponsible with important news in that case? Shouldn't the government put out a release to say that all this was a speculation and not official in that case?
And if it was only speculation, why did the UK Embassy put out a notice officially?
Yet another false speculation
As I written when this was first started, till date there is no Official decree stating the same. Not even a clear press release from MOFA or MOI
I think there is intention to have a law change. But, Apparently not anytime soon.
I'm not talking about how and when reciprocal deals will be decided or whether or not it will be agreed to at all. That remains to be seen. They believe it will be done and that some sort of process is underway.
I'm pointing out the fact that this was the reason for all this nonsense in the first place. Reciprocity. Like a child throwing a tantrum, if we can't have it, you can't have it either. Nice government .... Maybe if they realize that they are not getting what they were promised in a few months, they will throw another tantrum.
deepb,
I did read it. Did you? I also took the time to check other media outlets and embassy pages. Although a poorly worded article, it does state clearly that no changes on Qatar's side for the 33 countries has taken place. It also states, albeit less clearly in the passage you quoted, that 'SOME of the above countries' have reciprocal agreements, while noting that this does not include the US and UK. This does NOT mean that ONLY the UK and US do not have reciprocal agreements. Such an interpretation is ridiculous. It means that the US and the UK are two of the countries that do not have reciprocal agreements. SOME of the 33 countries (such as South Korea) already had reciprocal agreements in place, and that is why they are one of the 33 counties on the visa-on-arrival list.
No country that I know of has changed its policy as a result of all of this. Certainly Canada, France, Germany and other EU countries that posters have been discussing on QL have not. As I and host of others have already stated, these countries are highly unlikely to change their policies as a result of what Qatar does (and they have not). And to think these governments even could change their policies so quickly shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the slow pace of western democratic governments (for better and for worse). Any such change would require months and months of negotiations and treaties.
Linc, did you read the article? Here's an excerpt -
"Qatar had earlier announced plans to withdraw the facility for the citizens of those countries which did not reciprocate and extend similar privileges to its nationals."
And also -
" But with some of the above countries (excluding the US and the UK), Qatar has inked reciprocal visa-on-arrival deals. "
http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&month=April2010&file=Local_News2010041915436.xml
So much for reciprocity. Despite the awkwardly written story in the Gulf Time and Peninsula, the 33 countries do not seem to have changed their visa policies. Some on the list already had reciprocal relationships (such as South Korea), but my understanding is that no country that did not offer visas on arrival to Qataris is offering it now as a result of all of this.
As other posters have remarked, I agree in the end that this was ultimately NOT about reciprocity but more about security and control of immigration and visitors. Unfortunately, the plan had not been fully thought out. I am sure the pressure from businesses to keep the old policy in place was tremendous.
typical confusion media/authorities 'a la Qatar!
don't think so
my father told me he was number 65 in the application queue in london. the number applying is low for obvious reasons. He got his visa in less than a week.
And this for an american resident in Uk
regards
Spinecho...
maybe you should check with qatar embassy in NZ
my father got a visa to visit me from the UK ( he is American and UK resident married to a brit)
what your husband might not be able to do is get a multiple entry visa .. only a single entry visa like my father did.
and yes we can all see that the qataris did not think this through properly.. Many expats live all over the world , not just in the country of their birth.
there is some incredible bitterness here from those who always had to have pre approved visas. why don't you condemn that instead of insisting that everyone should be punished.
Tit for tat is stupid it just doesn’t work, and for those that agree with it ( like the Asian countries ) when will your countries be applying tit for tat to the Qataris ?
to the reporter peter Townsend zero point for originality and plagiarism.
Ask yourself this question on the quote below
“This will make it impossible for me to stay here,” said one British woman, currently residing in Doha, “I cannot get sponsorship at my place of work so it will no longer be viable for me to stay in Qatar.”
Then either your employer was employing you illegally or you should have sponsorship through husband or family member. Visa upon arrival is meant for entry not working. You are supposed to get business visa via employer or family sponsorship. Regardless of the pain in the backside that calls itself immigration, she is just circumnavigating the law and this gives the Qataris an excuse to bash the expats with ill thought out laws like this.
Spinecho...
maybe you should check with qatar embassy in NZ
my father got a visa to visit me from the UK ( he is American and UK resident married to a brit)
what your husband might not be able to do is get a multiple entry visa .. only a single entry visa like my father did.
and yes we can all see that the qataris did not think this through properly.. Many expats live all over the world , not just in the country of their birth.
there is some incredible bitterness here from those who always had to have pre approved visas. why don't you condemn that instead of insisting that everyone should be punished.
Tit for tat is stupid it just doesn’t work, and for those that agree with it ( like the Asian countries ) when will your countries be applying tit for tat to the Qataris ?
to the reporter peter Townsend zero point for originality and plagiarism.
Ask yourself this question on the quote below
“This will make it impossible for me to stay here,” said one British woman, currently residing in Doha, “I cannot get sponsorship at my place of work so it will no longer be viable for me to stay in Qatar.”
Then either your employer was employing you illegally or you should have sponsorship through husband or family member. Visa upon arrival is meant for entry not working. You are supposed to get business visa via employer or family sponsorship. Regardless of the pain in the backside that calls itself immigration, she is just circumnavigating the law and this gives the Qataris an excuse to bash the expats with ill thought out laws like this.
Agree with Peter Townsend work....he asked my friend to write and email him the article instead of doing what a reporter should do....interview then write it himself. Slack bugger on all counts.
Spinecho...
maybe you should check with qatar embassy in NZ
my father got a visa to visit me from the UK ( he is American and UK resident married to a brit)
what your husband might not be able to do is get a multiple entry visa .. only a single entry visa like my father did.
and yes we can all see that the qataris did not think this through properly.. Many expats live all over the world , not just in the country of their birth.
there is some incredible bitterness here from those who always had to have pre approved visas. why don't you condemn that instead of insisting that everyone should be punished.
Tit for tat is stupid it just doesn’t work, and for those that agree with it ( like the Asian countries ) when will your countries be applying tit for tat to the Qataris ?
to the reporter peter Townsend zero point for originality and plagiarism.
Ask yourself this question on the quote below
“This will make it impossible for me to stay here,” said one British woman, currently residing in Doha, “I cannot get sponsorship at my place of work so it will no longer be viable for me to stay in Qatar.”
Then either your employer was employing you illegally or you should have sponsorship through husband or family member. Visa upon arrival is meant for entry not working. You are supposed to get business visa via employer or family sponsorship. Regardless of the pain in the backside that calls itself immigration, she is just circumnavigating the law and this gives the Qataris an excuse to bash the expats with ill thought out laws like this.
Spinecho...
maybe you should check with qatar embassy in NZ
my father got a visa to visit me from the UK ( he is American and UK resident married to a brit)
what your husband might not be able to do is get a multiple entry visa .. only a single entry visa like my father did.
and yes we can all see that the qataris did not think this through properly.. Many expats live all over the world , not just in the country of their birth.
there is some incredible bitterness here from those who always had to have pre approved visas. why don't you condemn that instead of insisting that everyone should be punished.
Tit for tat is stupid it just doesn’t work, and for those that agree with it ( like the Asian countries ) when will your countries be applying tit for tat to the Qataris ?
to the reporter peter townsend zero point for orginilty and plagurism.
Ask yourself this question on the quote below
“This will make it impossible for me to stay here,” said one British woman, currently residing in Doha, “I cannot get sponsorship at my place of work so it will no longer be viable for me to stay in Qatar.”
Then either your employer was employing you illegally or you should have sponsorship through husband or family member. Visa upon arrival is meant for entry not working. You are supposed to get business visa via employer or family sponsorship. Regardless of the pain in the backside that calls itself immigration, she is just circumnavigating the law and this gives the Qataris an excuse to bash the expats with ill thought out laws like this.
Spinecho...
maybe you should check with qatar embassy in NZ
my father got a visa to visit me from the UK ( he is American and UK resident married to a brit)
what your husband might not be able to do is get a multiple entry visa .. only a single entry visa like my father did.
and yes we can all see that the qataris did not think this through properly.. Many expats live all over the world , not just in the country of their birth.
there is some incredible bitterness here from those who always had to have pre approved visas. why don't you condemn that instead of insisting that everyone should be punished.
Tit for tat is stupid it just doesn’t work, and for those that agree with it ( like the Asian countries ) when will your countries be applying tit for tat to the Qataris ?
to the reportet peter townsend zero point for orginilty and plagurism.
Ask yourself this question on the quote below
“This will make it impossible for me to stay here,” said one British woman, currently residing in Doha, “I cannot get sponsorship at my place of work so it will no longer be viable for me to stay in Qatar.”
Then either your employer was employing you illegally or you should have sponsorship through husband or family member. Visa upon arrival is meant for entry not working. You are supposed to get business visa via employer or family sponsorship. Regardless of the pain in the backside that calls itself immigration, she is just circumnavigating the law and this gives the Qataris an excuse to bash the expats with ill thought out laws like this.
Just heard...this will not be enforced on the 1 may, its under review
Good move !!
This country has seen its share of illiterate pommie encroachment...hopefully, this should discourage more of them infiltrating into this beautiful country...
.... as opposed to people like yourself ?
thats a big chip on your shoulder !!!!
LOL.
There you go, the tit for tat did work in the end I guess. Are US and the UK, the only ones that didn't bow to these tactics?
Qatar said yesterday the visa-on-arrival facility made available at the Doha International Airport to the nationals of 33 countries, including the US and the UK, will remain in place.
According to Qatar News Agency (QNA), a source at the Consular Affairs Section of the Foreign Ministry said
“It has, therefore, been decided that the existing visa-on-arrival scheme at the Doha International Airport for the citizens of the 33 countries will remain unchanged,” QNA quoted a senior Foreign Ministry official as saying.
The official also clarified that the mutual agreements Qatar has inked with a number of countries to extend their nationals visa-on-arrival facility provided they give similar privilege to its citizens, will remain in force. The countries whose nationals are eligible to get a visa on arrival at the Doha International Airport include, aside from USA and the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg and Switzerland.
The other countries are Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, the Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino and Lichtenstein, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and South Korea.
But with some of the above countries (excluding the US and the UK), Qatar has inked reciprocal visa-on-arrival deals.
QNA said it approached the Foreign Ministry for clarification after the local media reported about changes being introduced to the visa-on-arrival system and was informed that the scheme would continue unaltered.
http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&month=April2010&file=Local_News2010041915436.xml
the new visa regulation law will take effect on May 1.
We're still 2 week away from the implementation.
Passport office near the parking lot???
Just came back from the passport office near the airport parking lot , there have not been any paper glued there on any counter saying about this change, the staff when asked they told me that they have not recieved any order of any change for the citizens of the 33 countries list fro visa on arrival, so it stays like before, more over the Emir today send his wishes for the Queen of Denmark, that the Denmark is inside the list, and Kuwait state today signed with France for the nuclear project of Kuwait, so I think it remains like it is, at least for the tourists of the 33 countries.
Just came back from the passport office near the airport parking lot , there have not been any paper glued there on any counter saying about this change, the staff when asked they told me that they have not recieved any order of any change for the citizens of the 33 countries list fro visa on arrival, so it stays like before, more over the Emir today send his wishes for the Queen of Denmark, that the Denmark is inside the list, and Kuwait state today signed with France for the nuclear project of Kuwait, so I think it remains like it is, at least for the tourists of the 33 countries.
Genesis, that's why we have business visas... can be approved in less than an hour... And tourists can apply online.
the new visa regulations made no difference, however,as some foreigners said,the move
might hamper some businesses in Qatar.
fyi:reading some comments here-
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/585552-qatar-bans-visas-on-arrival-for-uk-us-nationals
QS where do you get your information from...I'm a New Zealander and have been advised by our embassy that kiwi's will still be given visas on arrival as Qataris get this on arrival in NZ...now that is official...
Uk. If it's a business trip, the Company has to secure a business visa for them. If it is a personal visit, they have to apply in the qatari embassy in the country of their residency. simple.
I somehow agree with you
I was discussing the same last night with a friend..
I think the law might somehow effect the energy sector. In particular oil , Gas & Electricity
Semi government companies in the energy & industrial sector are bonded with ongoing & upcoming multimillion qatari riyals contracts with various international companies like contractors, manufacturers & vendors. It’s well known that most of those companies MENA offices are located in Dubai or elsewhere in the middle east.
In the case of a major technical fault or shutdown, specialists are brought to doha immediately to avoid revenue losses.
There have been many abuses of the law as QS said & it’s most probably the reason of changes in the law in the first place.
Maybe this will lead to International Companies moving to Doha. Specially since there are now free zones like Qatar Energy city (Lusail) and QSTP (QF)
UK, they are not going to increase their staff to deal with the increased TOURIST visa applications. Most of these used to be people who were here to visit their family or work. Those visas are done in Qatar.
Sure the genuine tourists will get effected, but the staff will not increase to meet these demands, the process will just become slower. You should know how it works here :P
em carlitos, the situation that you mentioned is one of the primary reasons why the rule is being implemented. The Visa on Arrival was meant for TOURISTS. Your friend should have been brought in on a BUSINESS VISA as it was for consultation purposes. The business visa process should still be pretty quick.
Qatar is a small country and most of the citizens here can easily get a visa to UK via a properly managed Visa Services. But Imagine a country like USA only has one point for Visa in Washighton DC.
Also the Qatar Embassy in London will have to increase their staff 3 folds to deal with visa issues, not because amount of visa's being issued purely becasue it will take 3 times longer to issue a visa there.
In order to get a visa, they would have to apply at the Qatar embassy there. They usually recommend applying 3 months in advance because that's about how long they take to approve someone for a visa. Should cost about 150 UAED. Maybe less depending on current costs.
For me directly, it's a clear pain in the ... because i am portuguese and Qatar doesn't have embassy in Portugal, i was planning to get my relatives here for next Christmas i have to rethink the project.
But in general i think that reciprocity shall prevail, and it's fair !!
Even we are here facing a typical Qatari attitude which is : DO FIRST AND THINK AFTER, i think they didn't realize the problems coming from that : I have a good friend working for Petrol Industry based in UK and he his one of the few guys in the world specialized to deal with some technical issues related to drilling, he was here last month because a machine break out, and he was able to fly on first available flight. Now with the visa process he wil have to wait to get a visa and off course machine will be remain shutted down, and of course QATAR will loose money for every single minute the machine is not extracting crude.
For me directly, it's a clear pain in the ... because i am portuguese and Qatar doesn't have embassy in Portugal, i was planning to get my relatives here for next Christmas i have to rethink the project.
But in general i think that reciprocity shall prevail, and it's fair !!
Even we are here facing a typical Qatari attitude which is : DO FIRST AND THINK AFTER, i think they didn't realize the problems coming from that : I have a good friend working for Petrol Industry based in UK and he his one of the few guys in the world specialized to deal with some technical issues related to drilling, he was here last month because a machine break out, and he was able to fly on first available flight. Now with the visa process he wil have to wait to get a visa and off course machine will be remain shutted down, and of course QATAR will loose money for every single minute the machine is not extracting crude.
apply for visa at the Qatari Embassy
QS so how would Brits and Cnadians whom are resident of UAE get a visit visa to Qatar, any information? Got some friends planning to come over next month?
I think it's fair. Qataris can't just fly into England or America and get stamped upon arrival. You either have to have a passport or get approved for a visa. I find this law to be pretty fair. And this is coming from a born and raised American.
The law should be equal for all countries... nice move and keep up the good work....
No one out of these 33 countries will be given visas on arrival anymore. and if you read my post, you could see, even GCC residents won't be given visa on arrival anymore.
the new rule has almost nothing to do with reciprocity.
companies are abusing visas on arrival, using them for bringing their employees and consultants for work, which is a law violation.
Now I hope they will come up with some good solution against those who sells Business visas to unemploied persons, mostly from Philippines, for the purpose of looking for the Job. Which is a law violation too.
good point s_isale..:)
I think Grace has no issues but is is her husband who may have issues.
Gracew as Newzealand offers Qatari's and other GCC citizen's visa on arrival, I beleive that Newzealeanders will still be given Visa on Arrival!
bleu...just asking for the info, is it simple for the 'poor countries' as well?
to visit your husband you will need a family visit visa. that's it. Be aware that this new law has very little to do with reciprocity. It is just to prevent an abuse of visas for the purposes different from the original purpose of the visa. For instance, the statement "Many believe this will make it difficult for family members, business associates and others to come to Qatar" is nonsense. This law was implemented to prevent businessmen to come to Qatar for the business purpose using a TOURIST visa, clear?
USA governement wouldn't like if someone use student visa for purpose of work, right? Why qatari government has to like when people are coming to make business (i.e. money) using a tourist visa?
Why do you come to visit your husband using a tourist visa, when there is a certain "Family" visa for this purpose? Your husband will have to submit the application, and IF he is qualified, he will get a visa for you.
Bleu, applying on-line IS so easy. It's just a shame we can't do it after May 1.
Mandi
It's a good idea. Too many people coming in and just wandering around looking for work.
Grace, applying online is so simple. It's not difficult.
I am blown away with peoples reaction to this debate on this particular blog. "Western Twisting of facts", "Go Qataris" etc......If you people actually did research before you spoke it may actually make you come across as intelligent. Alot of the 33 contries on the list actually have a reciprocal agreement with Qatar and they are not all Western Countries. Not ALL expats are British or from the USA. Just because we are white and speak English fluently does not mean we are all from the same country. Stop tarring everyone with the same brush. I can not believe there are so many bitter people here, it is very sad. No doubt a few of you will rubbish me for what I have said but thats ok.......Anyway, It will make it more difficult for me to visit my husband if the agreement with my country is not reciprocated by Qatar so lets keep our fingers crossed it will be :-)
yes great job, i hope all arab countries do the same
Other countries will use this to their advantage... when advertising tourism in the western countries or business opportunties they will say we welcome you with visa free hassle...
I really don't know what Zinc paid for. I went to U.A.E last week and I paid 108 dirhams for a 30 days visa and I got it done in 10 minutes at Sharjah airport though I stayed only for 2 days. It was on my Qatari resident visa. No clue if things have changed since then
on arrival to some particular contries has to be taken off. why speciality for someone..especilly the westerns..... those who wants to enter qatar has to obtainvisa in advance ! ! ! !
on arrival to some particular contries has to be taken off. why speciality for someone..especilly the westerns..... those who wants to enter qatar has to obtainvisa in advance ! ! ! !
Did you pay 720Dhs for 1 visa?
As a GCC/Qatari resident, it should only have cost you about 150Dhs for a visa.
It'll be wonderful if they get rid of the unfair benifits that some nationalities get above others.
I just flew in to Dubai, and had to pay 720Dhs for visas for a 3 day visit, when my UK friends were allowed to walk through the border without paying! Why???
...because I'm South African!
load of crap!
the shits are treated like royalty, when all they did was plunder and steal the wealth of every nation they invaded!
it's by bloody time that the racism ends!
Those who were happy with the decision:
The policy change will also be applicable on GCC Residents (Expatriates bearing Valid Visa of GCC). I believe other GCC countries will also follow Qatar and even "We" wont be able to get a Visa on Arrival at Dubai or Manama etc Airports.
Now, Still Happy?
I don't think people on QL believe 'whatever the media tells them.' Otherwise we would not be having this conversation, and all of us would blissfully believe in the overriding message of the monotone voice of the Gulf Times: "everything is great, nothing to see here, move along please." And, unfortunately, the Western media will now have a difficult time reporting on anything happens here, because they will have to wait for visas :-)
Sounds like from Mandi that this whole affair has nothing to do with reciprocity and more about tightening of border and employment controls, which makes sense given how porous both are here. Perhaps in order to get away with tightening up things of the rest of the GCC during the current downturn, the government made the decision to apply it to countries across the board. Looking at the regulations, Qataris still have to go through a great many more hoops to get into the US and UK than the reverse, so if it really is about reciprocity, then they have a long way to go.
I am on vacation for the next few days so good luck with the thread!
nomerci a lot of South Asians also give a lot in charity. Maybe they are not publicised in the newspapers.
so take that prejudice off your list.
nomerci a lot of South Asians also give a lot in charity. Maybe they are not publicised in the newspapers.
so take that prejudice off your list.
Did not know about the all GCC residents requiring visa bit, Mandi. Thanks for the heads up.
I can imagine this is probably going to get a reciprocal reaction from other GCC countries and even we will need a visa before traveling there....
So much tit for tat in the politics of this area, it's rather funny.
Mandi, I'm not sure about how you can say 30% of US citizens hold passports. This is information I learned of during the whole Sara Paylin incident of calling people who own passports - spoilt rich brats. This seems to be the only link I can find for the figure I quoted ( can't say how accurate it is )
Link- http://www.gyford.com/phil/writing/2003/01/31/how_many_america.php
Anyway, to not get off-topic, bleu is actually right about the GDP per capita figures including all legal residents. The IMF says Qatar has a GDP of 102,302 million USD in 2008. And if the GDP per capita would take only the 200,000 ( approx) Qatari population instead of the 1.8million (approx) legal residents, the GDP would be much higher than 75,956 US$
I know there are other reasons why they would illegally migrate. But does that mean, Singapore ( or any of the other 36 countries in the VWP programme) passport holders are exempt from those reasons.
And regarding the Americans traveling to improve their understanding of the Arab World, the small numbers are not going to change the general outlook of the population. The media is what will change their influence. The majority believes in what the media tells them to.
I do not know where they collect the data on Qatar, but the GDP per capita by the IMF definitely does not include anyone other than citizens. I have seen some tables with adjusted GDPs that includes all legal residents, and this puts Qatar around the same level with South Korea, the Czech Republic, etc. But these are pretty rough estimates at best.
Deepb--There are a lot more reasons besides money for someone to illegally immigrate to the US and EU, but let's save that for another forum. If that few Americans have passports then all the more reason to encourage those that do to travel and see that the world is not the US and to make it as easy as possible for them to do so. I am Canadian, btw, and we deal with the bumbling of the US and EU giants all the time. But then Norwegians have more money than the average Qatari, most of them have passports, and they still won't let Qataris in without a visa.
deepb, the correct figure is more like 30% of US citizens holding passports and this does not include military personnel who do not need passports to travel overseas, nor does it include people holding expired passports. Please note that until very recently US citizens did not need a passport to travel to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean, favorite vacation spots. Linc, I'd love to add you to my buddy list but that feature is currently inop! And I trust you all are up-to-date on the latest little regulatory addition of requiring ALL GCC residents to obtain a visa before entering Qatar?
Mandi
In my last comment on this thread and this topic, I am glad that atleast one rule is same for everyone now in Qatar ;-)
GDP per capita is not a particularly meaningful statistic in the case of a country where the bulk of the oil and gas revenue goes straight in to the pockets of the government and the ruling elite.
If the average (per capita) GDP amount was spread less inequitably amongst the citizens of this country there wouldn't be trillions of dollars in sovereign wealth funds, a handful of teenagers driving bugattis, while thousands of Qataris live in the low income Barwa housing along with the semi-skilled migrants.
I know heaps and heaps of Qataris who struggle to make ends meet, can't afford to move out of home, and have trouble living from one month to the rest. To them, the impressive 'GDP per capita' numbers are just salt in their wounds, while they see other nationals who do nothing more than wake up to earn their monthly stipend.
I agree this is not the right step for the Qatari government to take, linc. Especially when it is enforced suddenly on a short notice.
Whether their reason is for reciprocity or as a means to stop the "visa-runs", or for security, I can only give my opinion. Only the Qatari government would know why this has been enforced all of a sudden.
No amount of tourism is going to help improve the image that Arabs and Muslims hold in the US and EU, because not a lot of them travel. ( Did you know less than 20% of the US population holds a passport ? It might even go down to as low as 7% if some figures are to be believed.) They believe, what is represented by the media.
There is no real tourism in this country at the present. If and when, there is a reason for tourism - like Asian games or Fifa 2022( don't think this will happen :P), they would probably relax the visa requirements.
Bleu, I'm not sure about the figures, but if GDP per capita, included everybody, then that just makes the case for the Qatari Passport holders stronger. They clearly have no reason to mis-use the visa on arrival and illegally migrate to a country which is lower in GDP per capita, than their own.
Deepb,
Wow, you clearly have some resentment here.
First, GDP does measure the relative wealth of nations. Qatar's is tiny; the EU's is huge. And huge countries generally do not make major concessions to smaller ones (i.e. Qatar is hardly going to bow to demands for reciprocity from Moldova). Second, GDP per capita measures the average wealth of individual citizens. If there was a country consisting of one man and he had $100,000 in his pocket, then he would rank number one. However, I seriously doubt no matter how much he complained about reciprocity that other governments would take much notice. National economic power is determined by the AGGREGATE wealth of its citizens not the AVERAGE. Yes, the average Qatari citizen's wealth is higher than that of the average America, but Qatari citizens are poorer than citizens of Norway and Luxenbourg, both, which I pointed out, deny Qataris visas on arrival. So now you tell us that it has nothing to do with wealth. Instead, it is all about the xenophobic, racist West. So why did you not simply start with the point to begin with?
I disagree (but not entirely) about US and EU visa policies being driven by anti-Muslim feeling. My sense is that it is more about security (Qatari passports and borders are far less secure) and because the US and most EU nations have easily accessible embassies here that Qataris can obtain visas much more easily than the citizens of Canada (my home nation) or New Zealand, which do not have Qatari embassies. Most of the reason, however, is that Qatar is not a major blip on the radar screen of the US (perhaps wrongly, but not a major blip nonetheless). This more to do with relative size and aggregate economic importance that a diabolical plot to discriminate against Arab countries, although it does not help with the most publicity Qatar has received in years comes via a diplomatic underling's poor sense of humor. Article headlines that have the words bomb, terrorist and Qatar are never a good combination for national standing, even when people read the truth of the matter in the story that follows.
But even if I were to agree completely with you about the policies being driven by discrimination, surely you must see that the way to change this misperception is by encouraging people from those places to visit Qatar and see for themselves that there is nothing to fear and that Europeans, North Americans and Qataris have much in common. The Western media and entertainment industries (for better and for worse) exposes people here to a great deal of Western culture. People in the Europe and North America, however, are not generally exposed to similar amounts of Arab culture, as Arab media and entertainment are still comparatively small and Westerners rarely learn Arabic, so the best way is through limited tourism. India's standing in Canada, the US and Europe has boomed with the blossoming of its entertainment industry, as has China's with is carefully crafted push for Western tourism and such events as the hosting of the recent Olympics. This has benefited everyone. My sense is that many in the Qatari government want something similar with such efforts as its recent push for the World Cup bid, the hosting of the Asia games, the attention toward "green" construction, the advent of the Doha debates, and the building of such iconic cultural treasures of international importance as the Museum of Islamic Art.
When the Qatar government makes arbitrary policies that seemed fueled by egotistic notions reciprocity (and when people cheer it on international forums such as this) it makes Qatar look bad. Perhaps reciprocity has nothing to do with the government's decision, as people on the forum have pointed out. If that is the case, good governance and public relations would suggest that this policy should be clarified publicly and in great detail.
DeepB/Linc, we don't have a statistic of Qatari citizen ever published. I think our GDP includes everybody.
GDP per capita can be ignored for the purpose of rankings. I have mentioned that myself before in a different situation.
But technically speaking, the GDP per capita is for Qatari "passport holders". So, in that sense the Qatari passport holders are earning much more on an average than any US or EU citizen. So why should they be denied visa on arrival? True the expats may not be earning as much, but the expats don't have Qatari Passports either.
We all know the real reason why Qatari's are not granted visa on arrival in US or EU. Why try to cover it up with GDP figures or Reciprocity, or any other reason? If not for the 9/11 and other incidents, it would've been given a consideration.
Good point about GDP per capita, Deepb
Qatar is typically in the top three in per capita GDP rankings, depending on the list. However, it has an enormous caveat noted by any serious economist: the ranking only considers citizens, and considering the wealth of a Qatari citizen as 'average' in this country is hardly a reasonable assessment. In fact, some tables will not even include Qatar because such a figure is meaningless when it does not apply to a substantial portion of the overall population. Qataris, after all, only make up less than 4 per cent of the private workforce according to state figures.
My quick estimate based on population, workforce percentage and national output is that if all residents were included (including the vast majority of the residents who are unlikely to clear much more than about $300 a month), the true GDP per capita would be brought fantastically below the 33 countries on the list. For example, only including citizens, Qatar'd gdp per capita was $75,000 in 2009 according to the IMF (which is one of the tables that still lists Qatar). The US, a country in which at least 90% of residents are citizens, it is about $47,000 (typically around 10th on most lists). Rough calculations would probably see a more realistic per capita GDP of Qatar's entire resident population at somewhere closer to about $15,000, which is similar to Saudi Arabia and South Korea (interestingly, as I understand it, countries that offer visas on arrival to Qataris).
Norway and Luxembourg are both small nations in which the vast majority of the workforce is made up of citizens. Both have higher GDPs per capita than Qatar (even with Qatar's grossly inflated figure that only includes citizens). And both refuse to give Qataris visas on arrival.
well done !!
Good point, Deepb
Qatar is typically in the top three in per capita GDP rankings, depending on the list. However, it has an enormous caveat noted by any serious economist: the ranking only considers citizens, and considering the wealth a Qatari citizen as 'average' in this country is hardly a reasonable assessment. In fact, some tables will not even include Qatar because such a figure is meaningless when it does not apply to a substantial portion of the overall population. Qataris, after all, only make up less than 4 per cent of the private workforce according to state figures.
My quick estimate based on population, workforce percentage and national output is that if all residents were included (including the vast majority of the residents who are unlikely to clear much more than about $300 a month), the true GDP per capita would be brought fantastically below the 33 countries on the list. For example, only including citizens, Qatar'd gdp per capita was $75,000 in 2009 according to the IMF (which is one of the tables that still lists Qatar). The US, a country in which at least 90% of residents are citizens, it is about $47,000 (typically around 10th on most lists). Rough calculations would probably see a more realistic per capita GDP of Qatar's entire resident population at somewhere closer to about $15,000, which is similar to Saudi Arabia and South Korea (interestingly, as I understand it, countries that offer visas on arrival to Qataris).
Norway and Luxembourg are both small nations in which the vast majority of the workforce is made up of citizens. Both have higher GDPs per capita than Qatar (even with Qatar's grossly inflated figure that only includes citizens). And both refuse to give Qataris visas on arrival.
kasif are you lost???
deepb, yees, there is a lot of Charity from Arabs. No question. But we are not talking about Arabs here.
Other than that, I have said what I had to say.
Khattak, I do not hate south East Asians. I am just annoyed by those who abuse the system, here and elsewhere.And therfore make life difficult for others.
I also do not like those, who bite the hand that feeds them, something I have experienced over and over.
I have Indian, Idonesian, Filipino etc friends. Funny thing, they actually agree wholeheartdly with what I said.
Sorry Nomerci, I have never heard of special charity from westerners for the underprivileged. If you think they are the only ones being approached for charity, your seriously mistaken. When you speak of charity, the only outstanding cases I've seen are the Arabs during Ramadan and Eid.
And I doubt those underprivileged, that you are speaking about are the ones who are engaging in western bashing in QL. Like I said once before, Racism is not limited to any particular race. It's unfortunate that the genuine tourists are going to be inconvenienced, but this is a result of some people taking advantage of the law, not because the non-westerners are hating on westerners.
Actually, I believe it is legal to come on a visit visa and search for a job. There is no job-searching visa category as far as I'm aware. But working on a tourist visa or keeping your family here on an almost permanent basis as a tourist is against the law. But, lets not make this a western or non-western bashing thread eh?
Linc, there you go talking about the GDP again. GDP is not the accurate measure of a nations wealth, GDP per capita is. If the US and Europe did not have their fear of Muslims, Qatari's, based on their High GDP per capita, would definitely have been given visa on arrival.
Whyteknight,
Qatar wants reciprocity with the so-called wealthy nations on the list.
My argument is that the distance in national ranking by GDP between the US and Qatar is roughly the same distance between Qatar and countries such as Moldova and Rwanda. Therefore, to expect the US to treat Qataris as equal in terms of visa access, etc., is similar to asking Qatar to treat a country similar to Moldova equally. For obvious reasons, Qatar won't do that, and that is the same reason why the US will not either. Qatar is hardly striking a blow for the little guy, because it is as ready as the 33 countries to treat people from countries that are significantly poorer or smaller as second-class.
GDP is just one form of measuring the relative distance between two countries. But the basic point is the same no matter what object criteria are being used: countries generally act in their own self-interest and do not make concessions to less powerful ones. It is not right, but it is, sadly, how the system works.
That is why it is absurd to expect countries on the list to change, and why it is even more absurd for people on the forum to suggest it is a blow to the US and UK (i.e. 'Way to go Qatar!). These countries will not even notice. It will only serve to irritate and alienate the people in those countries who know, and generally care, about this country.
Again, I think this has too much to do with ego, and policies rooted in self-importance are historically bad ones whatever the country.
Good decision,In India and all if anyone from US or UK they dont care,all have to apply for visa and if they granted only they can come.Here Arabs and all are afraid of Americans and Europeans and giving too much freedom to these peoples.All are same and no nationality should be given seperate treatment.
nomercy.....why so much hate against South Asians? Though, its your personal matter and you can ignore this question.
Thanks.
oh and one more thing, I am pretty sure, the reason for all this is that some people abuse the visa thing, they come here looking for work on visit visas, which is AGAINST the law, heck they even openly ask about BUYING visas...you and I both know who they are.
Lets suppose this are all done with internal security in mind with all these people travelling in and out of qatar
linc Qatar if I remember correctly is first or second in the world in terms of GDP per capita, a more accurate reflection of a country's economy :)
deepb, you know exactly what I am talking about. How many Western people give charity to the workers? How many times do you think gardeners, maintenance , drivers etc. are given money, clothes etc? How many times have westernes been approached to give ? Man, seriously, get real!
And how do you think do Westerners understand posts like " applaud this, great, well done Qatar?" Finally, it is "fair". Heck, it is NOT fair. But fine, I am not complaining,as I said several times before, I think Qataris should have VOA's. As they spend money in our countries and do not cause problems, therefore should be welcomed. As we used to be here.
I am out of here, this is ridiculous,plain and simple.
Could you point out where anyone has bashed the west here? Don't tell me the Aussie vs UK "pommie" thing is western bashing. This is not a misfortune that has befallen only westerners. It has affected the other countries as well. I don't think any of the people who were following rules, have anything to lose either. The one's who were taking advantage of the system by doing their "visa-runs" are the only ones who are in trouble.
And your part about "charity" ? I don't really understand that bit. Are you telling me that the non-westerners are to keep quiet and wag their tails, so that they can receive "charity" from you? That has come out sounding very bad indeed.
deepb, there is plenty western bashing in pretty much EVERY thread. And if there is some kind of misfortune befalling Westerners, there will be oodles of non westerners applauding that. Openly or not so openly.
Iam tired of it, but in the end I don't care. I am doing well, alhamdulillah, and that is all I shall care about by now.
Although this is against my nature, but experience is a cruel teacher.
Khalas
Oh, and I know that plenty of other Westerners have and are starting to think the same. So I would think not much more charity and help to be expected. Experience has taught us all.Sad thing is, the few deserving of help and charity will have to go empty handed, thanks to those of their compatriots that can't keep their mouths shut and their brains working.
(This post again, is NOT about Qataris)
QS, there were no real businessmen. All the info for the article was gathered from the previous thread on QL. And, yes in the end not many genuine tourists are going to be complaining about this over here. The majority complaining here are the ones who were misusing the visa on arrivals.
"Businessmen have also voiced their concerns, claiming that business trips will become more difficult to organize, and pointing out that secondments which are commonplace here will no longer be as easily organized."
are these "businessmen" for real?? That's why visa on arrival was canceled in the first place: it was a massive abuse of these tourists visa on arrival, as they were used instead of Business visas... do these "businessmen" understand what they are complaining about?
Company can NOT use the tourist visa on arrival for secondment or "visa-run" for their temporary employees, or consultants!that's way it was canceled, because of these irresponsible companies who used to abuse this rule.
If its tit for tat , I have no comments..
If its security reasons, yes . Its better for any country in the present scenario.
David collman headly holds a US passport, he could travel freely to the GCC countries all thses days . So forget about the nationality when it comes to security. Let the authorities know and restric people who wana visit their country.
Why does any and all thread always have to end up being a bashing thread?
I haven't seen any anti- western sentiments being thrown around in this thread. The countries effected by this move include Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Hong-Kong and Singapore also. Last time I checked they were not included as part of the Western community. This is about people who like preferential treatment and are making a noise when it is taken away from them.
deepb, did you read any Qatari include GDP in the argument? It's usually expats who think that way.
Well, Indians are ...... Indians.
nomerci actually I don't hate the west, maybe I am a bit envious subconsciously but everytime I post something against the west here, I am labelled western basher. Should I be praising everything about the west, heck I don't even praise everything about my own country so I am never going to praise everything about some other country. Some people are looking at every comment as western bashing, same like some people see here every comment against anything happening in Arab countries as Islam bashing.
Now if someone says that because USA has the highest GDP and that's why they should be allowed Visa on arrival in Qatar than I can't help it, I am going to laugh about it.
As for everyone getting Visa on Arrival everywhere, ofcourse everyone from poor countries will head to the rich countries and it will be chaos.
Whats wrong in having common standards and policies for all nationalities?
Don't get me started with the stupid GDP figures. Of course Qatar is a small country and hence it's GDP will not measure up with the bigger ones. On that regards they should probably give Indian nationals visa on arrival since India is on number 12 at GDP
If you want to look at a more accurate measure of a country's wealth you should look at GDP per capita. Qatar, I believe is well ahead of the United states or UK in that category.
whyte, what are those "obvious" reasons?
You know what I find quite disturbing? How much hatred there is for Western people throughout all nationalities . I know most of it is envy, for one or another reason,and it is more of a hindrance/obstacle for them to reach where they want to be than anything else. (This sentence is not about Qataris)
The more I see of it, the more set I am in my opinions.
And so will other people .
The last bit of charitable /giving thought has 100% disappeared from my mindset reading all that is said on QL.
A global concept of 'My Ship MY rule' ;D
........?
But deepb here is a question for you, Will Mayhem arrive first in USA or Qatar or Moldova.
Hint: You can use their GDP to explain your answer.
I can answer that - MAYHEM followed by ANARCHY, followed by END OF DAYS :P
Late but least; some 'fair treatment' in Qatar.
nomerci I can't answer that for obvious reasons ;-)
Why should the "33" nations be given privilege?
I have a question. What do you think would happen if Qatar and all Western countries had visa on arrival for ALL?
No that is not fair because USA has the highest GDP and Moldova has very low GDP and Qatar has GDP in between the two and...... linc I lost it again, can you explain the GDP thing again please, lol...
Thats a fair treatment :)
What concerns me is that it seems that you can apply for a tourist visa on-line, BUT only if you travel Qatar Airways. Yes Qatar Nationals have to apply for Visa's before they come to the UK, but this is much easier for them to do in Qatar than for the majority of UK Nationals in the UK (where most of the population DO NOT live in or around London - the only place where there is a Qatari Embassy).
So it seems (and I would love to be corrected) that unless you are prepared to pay the excessive fares on Qatar Airways, your only option to get a Tourist visa is to take time off work and travel to london (at additional expense).
I don't see the UK Government demanding that Qatari's travel on British Airways in order to obtain a Tourist Visa.
As I said I would love to be corrected, as I have family members wishing to travel here and I don't think it is now going to be possible for them.
As a new zealander about to head for Doha to take up a new job (waiting for working visa to be processed) we now have to figure out how to get a Qatar visit visa for my son (NZ passport) and husband (US passport). The Qatar embassy website says visa applications for alot of citizens from different countries will now have to go through Washington DC. So from New Zealand we have to send our passports to the USA for processing and arrange payment in US currency to be from a US bank account. Not too sure how to get around that last part - why on earth would a kiwi have a US bank account? Apparently courier companies don't knowingly transport passports internationally, you have to put it is a document. Also citizens of one country residing in another are not mean't to be in that foreign country without a passport. Truly, what a headache and an un-welcome to Qatar.
We are only expressing our views and opinions and better not to hurt or insult or disregard others opinions.
I could say that there are many intellectual people who are living in Qatar based on the comments.
The new law interests many expatriates living here in Qatar.
Its about time that Qatar will show to the whole world their nation and they had their laws and identity.
Oooo very good point! Looks as though someone on QL does actually have a brain and see beyond the lies!
Sparticus quote,
"Who do you think toils on all the construction sites in 50 deg weather? Architects, Engineers, and Executives? It is the illiterate pommies.
Who sweeps the roads, takes away your trash, cleans your office, bags your groceries, makes deliveries, cooks cleans, and serves at restaurants...... and the list can go on for ever."......!!!
you tell me sparticus....you think the pommies do these?? lmao !! well, i would keep my mouth shut then...
how many poms in Qatar, mate? what percentage of the total population in Qatar?? Give credit to the real toilers out there...
pommies taking away trash ?!? in Qatar ?? well that would have been their occupation prior to arriving in Qatar from UK(and one i would like to see them do here)...
the reason Qataris can't get walk up visas is their pathetic excuse for a passport....with all their wealth and money surely they could afford to get their systems in place where they produce a modern biometric passport....the current passports are a joke..
lol I can only see one Filipino user among those who posted here. Prejudiced anyone??
I'm sure the 33 countries won't bow to blackmail like this. They don't allow Qatari's Visa's on arrival because of security concerns. Qatar has a rather important and fluid border which negates such leniency.
You bitter Filipino's should think before you write, you're offensive.
roberto That is more like it, stating the exact reason.
I agree with Sparticus.
The Qataris have a right to demand that US, UK, Canada, France and other much wealthier countries change their visa policies when Qatar deals with countries poorer than it in a less hypocritical fashion. As I said above, the equivalent of U.S.-Qatar in terms of wealth is Qatar-Moldova (or the likes of Nicaragua, Niger and Rwanda).
Reciprocity and tit-for-tat are a two-way street.
bs! qataris cant "walk in " to countries cause they re passport is sub standard ... the security equal of a library card .easy to forge end of statement!
Watch what you say because this beautiful country is built upon the blood sweat and tears of those very illiterate pommies that you want to keep out.
Who do you think toils on all the construction sites in 50 deg weather? Architects, Engineers, and Executives? It is the illiterate pommies.
Who sweeps the roads, takes away your trash, cleans your office, bags your groceries, makes deliveries, cooks cleans, and serves at restaurants...... and the list can go on for ever.
Let all the pommies sit at home for one single day and see what happens to your beautiful country.
We might be literate and even well educated but are we truly enlightened? Because if we were then we wouldn't call someone an illiterate pommie would we now?????
It's not about tit for tat. It's about making life easier for everyone. Do you know how hard it is for any asian or african to get a visit visa to come here?
Do you know how hard it is for an asian man working here, and I mean a professional and not a laborer, to get a spouse residence visa?
I have friend in an executive position with the biggest logistics company in Qatar and his wife's visa application was rejected 13 times.
And every time your spouse application is rejected you cannot apply again until 3 months. Can't a man who is giving his blood and sweat for this nation at least have the right to live happily with his family? Isn't that fair enough?
Besides if I have my family here then I will spend most of my earnings here itself, which is good for the country. I will not repatriate all my earnings to my home country.
And last but not the least a happy and content employee is a productive employee. So let him be happy with his family.
From a business point of view why would i want to invest even a penny here if i can't even get a visa to come here, or get visas to get skilled employeees from the mother company back home to work here?
Any company would definitely prefer people of their own nationality as it is easier to communicate, and communication is the essence of a successful business.
sorry for the long winded message, and i don't mean to antagonize you but i decided to write because this is something that affects all of us (i assume you are asian too).
So irrespective of nationalities, certain restrictions with respect to visa should be eased.
It is all just to satisfy a bit of Qatari ego, which is absurd given that this will not even register in places like the US or UK. Does anyone actually think that slight visa changes in a country that ranks 67th in GDP (just behind Luxemburg and Peru) will show up even as a passing mention in the conversations of the likes of Barack Obama or Gordon Brown? The economic equivalent is Moldova requiring Qataris to have visas before arriving in hopes that Qatar will allow free movement of Moldovans into their country (i.e. Moldova's actions are hardly going to influence the government of Qatar).
Tit-for-tat is absolutely fair, but that does not in itself make it a good idea. The only people this will affect are the expats from these countries who are already here and businesses here who will find it more difficult to host conferences and do business with countries on the list. Both these things (expat ease convenience and businesses in Qatar) are for more important to the success of Qatar than they are to the governments of the 33 countries on the list.
In the end it just means I fill out a form online whenever a family member or friend comes for a visit. As I buy their airlines online anyway, it is just a matter of a few extra minutes. Certainly not worth all of the zenophobic feeling the Gulf Times seems to have (purposefully) stirred up with its poor and incomplete reporting.
By the way has anyone seen the story on the Qatari diplomat who mad the smooth move of lighting up a cigaret in the bathroom of a plane in the U.S.? Apparently he thought it would be funny to tell the flight crew that he was trying to light a bomb in his shoe. Given that he was on his way back to Washington after visiting a Qatari national being held for terrorist activities (part of his consular duties), the pilot was naturally apprehensive. Fighter jets were scrambled and the plane was escorted home as a matter of standard procedure. Needless-to-say, the diplomatic has been recalled. It did not get much news (it shows up in the 'dumb things people do' sections of papers for a bit of humor), but here is a link:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/04/09/qatari-diplomat-leave-shortly-new-assignment/?test=latestnews
If you google search "Qatar, diplomat and Denver" some brief reports and some humorous commentary shows up. Obviously this in unlikely to receive the in-depth reporting for which the Gulf Times is so famous.
Hey who doesn't like preferential treatment?
Oh, so you mean to say you like preferential treatment roberto? Sorry, no pity for you in that case.
it is WK, I like to roam wherever I want at short notice and skip the queues in immigration....
Nothing on NOC???????????
Not interested:S
blame the Israelis for it.
Just heard that Dubai is also doing the same..:) So no more visa runs..
Just heard that Dubai is alos doing the same..:) So no more visa runs..
Good move !!
This country has seen its share of illiterate pommie encroachment...hopefully, this should discourage more of them infiltrating into this beautiful country...
lol suffer?????
Not getting a Visa on arrival is suffering for you roberto?
Diodn't think you were such a softie, do I buy you a teddybear now?
Its great haze, Why? You like to see others suffer like yourself?
its great that this new rules will be implemented soon.
The United States, Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece , Finland, Spain, Monaco, the Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Lichtenstein, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea.
http://portal.www.gov.qa/wps/portal/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjAwsDA39311CvIENXAyMfC18_S39jQwMDA_1wkA4kFcbenqYGRqYePgGBLkZGIBVgeQMcwNFA388jPzdVP1I_yhy3Pcb6kTmp6YnJlfoF2dlpzumKigD3zV_u/dl2/d1/L0lJSklna2shL0lCakFBTXlBQkVSQ0lBISEvWUZOQTFOSTUwLXchLzdfMjA4MDBPR0VVSlIxRTAyTDhNTjlPMzEwMDM!/?WCM_PORTLET=PC_7_20800OGEUJR1E02L8MN9O31003_WCM&WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/cnt/en/1_home/13_visitor/1301_visa_and_entry_requirements/moi_tourist_visa
You DON'T have to go the embassy; you CAN apply online, quickly and easily. That said, I think it will affect the tourism they get from these 33 countries. Doha still has not achieved desirable destination status for tourists, so with this added hurdle, most folks will simply say "F*** it" and head to Dubai instead.
And I agree with Arnel; If you don't know why they have these "restrictions" in place, then find out who the Qatari diplomat Mohammed Al Madadi was going to visit in Denver when he made that hilarious joke about lighting his shoe on fire to the air marshall.
Raechie, that option might be removed when May 1st arrives.
Plus, I don't know if Australia is one of those 33 countries or if they can still get visa on arrival.
Em.. UKENG, wrong again. A Qatari cant just send their drivers for a visa to the UK. Each individual needs to go and apply in person as they take their fingerprints and digital photograph which is then forwarded to the database in London. The okay for their visa then needs to come from the London to the embassy here for the visa to be stamped.
after looking at every "official" website trying to get information i found it and its not difficult at all. It is just a online form which is fantastic as i wanted to get mum out here and there is no Qatar embassy in Australia! http://www.gov.qa/wps/portal/
this website has the online form and its approved right away you then take that info through the airport.
Rightly said!
NEW LAW for expats??.. yes new law for 5% or less of the expats to be precise.. rest 95% been under this law always.
They get their cars flown to the UK so they can drive them around..... no expense spared...
where they go with their big, fancy cars just coz there is no speed limit on those freeways. :-)
Cars with Qatari Number plates in UK?You mean they were driven all the way there just to parade around???WOW!!!
Where did you find the online Visit Visa?
I Tried http://www.moi.gov.qa/site/english/channel/Visitors/index.html
There is no working link to any online visit visa there. When you click on visit visa you get this "The content was not found on the server."
Only thing online there is a form - all in Arabic - for a sponsored visa.
Please provide the link where you say you can apply online for a visit visa, thanks.
Qatari don't even go the British Embassy to get their UK Visa, They can even send their driver to the UKvisa services and their visa will be process.
Will not be the same for the Uk citizen to obtain a visa as they will have to travel to London or send their documents to Qatari Emabassy in London to have a visa to travel to Qatar.
So Where as the Britsih Visa system might be a problem the less fortunates but there is no problem for the majority of Qataris. They are welcomed to Uk.
Go to London Park Lane or Edgware Road area in Central London and see how many cars with Qatari number plates are roaming the streets of London. Qatari's love London or what?
Btw, I didn't realize posting on a forum amounts to "blogging" . Finally, I'm a blogger :P
Well Done Qataris
for sure, this is going to effect the tourism industry.
Alumnar, If you are talking about holding a whole nation responsible for the mistakes of the few, then don't you think the US wrongly invaded Iraq, and so all the countries should refuse US nationals visa and classify them as possible invaders,if let inside their country?
Such Blatant COPY-PASTE,Townson, Shame on you!!!
Such a visa regulation will not affect Qatar or it's tourism in any way.Having one of the toughest visa regulations on the planet has not stopped anyone from vising Las Vegas, Disneyland, Holywood, Has it?And if like Mr. Townson copied/pasted above,that it is such a problem for pple to go to the Qatari Cosulate in their countries, well then this society can do without such lazy bums.
its about time....
As I said in the other thread, I think Qataris should have a visa on arrival in the UK etc.
Still , this new regulation might not work in Qatar's favour.
Time will tell.
go for it qataris now they will get a taste of their own medicine
... I'm sure you know exactly why most of 'us' have to apply for a visa before entering the UK and US... unless you have never heard about terrorism and Taliban...!
This Is Tit For Tat Policy...
its not easy to enter UK/US and other english speaking countries, you need to spend a lot of money and procure all kinds of documents to support your application and then there is no assurance that you will be given the visa.
they are all welcomed when they come to Qatar
how about the Qataris when they go and vist and study to other countries, are they welcomed and respected?
its about time Qataris!
I thought Qatar was trying to enourage tourism, but i guess its fair enough. Their country their rules.
It is only fair. I'd still say its far easier for a US/UK national to get a visa to qatar than it is for a qatari national to get a visa to the US / UK...
J.J
Arnel, go for what?
GO FOR IT QATARIS
this time Gulf Times bet Peninsula for a copy paste job.
deepb there were over 250 responses on that thread, good he didn't quote them all ;)
Wow, that is one horribly written article. Talk about overdoing it with the quotes.
its all the western twisting of facts....
anything that makes it harder for consultants to come into the country is a great idea.
You can apply on line and get approved straight away. So you pay by credit card before you come instead of on arrival. No biggee.....
Ask yourself this. If India and Pakistan granted visas for qataris on arrival would they dobthe same for those countries..... Of course not.
lol another article written after reading a thread on QL..
It is about time
WELL DONE QATARIS!