No Tourist Visa's issued during UN Conference...TRUE????
By lullabelle •
Is it true that no tourist visa's will be issued during the UN conference here at the end of November? The conference starts on the 29th so can we get a visa upto that date? Please advise, family coming to visit then!!!
There has been some speculation recently that people will not be allowed to enter or exit Qatar between 28th November and 3rd December (while the UN conference is taking place).
Travel agencies are passing on what seems to be false information about this, saying that only residents with multiple exit visas will be allowed in and out of Doha during this time.
The following information comes from Doha Airport Immigration (visa section), so there is no issue for residents and if you are expecting visitors (tourist or business) just make sure you purchase their visas in advance;
1. Employees with residence permit can travel and come back any time (multiple exit visa is not a mandatory) and exit visas will be issued regularly.
2. Business visa and tourist visa will be issued till 28th November. Visitors can enter Qatar between 29th November and 3rd December, if they have already obtained their visa (business/tourist)
3. Immigration authority will neither accept visa application nor issue visas (business /tourist) between 29th November and 3rd December. (Also tourist visa will not be issued upon arrival from Doha airport during this period)
It seems that the travel agencies are giving out false information. See here; http://www.qatarliving.com/node/249346
Thanks for this, very useful. I never thought to call a travel agency! :)
as per last un conferences same thing experience so supposed to be this time also
Confirmation from one of travel agencies:
Only Qatar residents with multiple exit visas will be allowed to fly in and out of Qatar between 28 November and 03 December 2008.
Do not make any travel arrangements into Doha during this period. You will not be granted visa on arrival and will be deported back to your airport of departure.
Holders of transit visas (= tourist visas) with expiry date on 28th November MUST exit Qatar on or before that date and can only re-enter after 3rd December
Beware, that from today travellers coming into Doha will only be granted a visa up until 28th November 2008 and will have to exit the country on or before that date.
This applies to all nationalities