worried british woman visiting friend in doha
Hi,
I am visiting a friend in Doha - she is Turkish working in Doha and renting an apartment. I am flying to Doha on a Qatar airways flight and plan to purchase a tourist Visa on arrival. My friend has written me a letter of invitation should I need it - this details her Qatar ID number and address.
I have lived in the middle east before so I am fine with the dress code etc etc..my only concern at the moment is arriving and getting through immigration. I recently read somewhere that you should have the address of a HOTEL for the tourist visa/ address of a relative. Also that immigration are suspicious of single female travellers as they think they may be prostitutes.
I don't have a hotel booking as I plan to stay with my female friend. Is this going to be a problem? I am now worried about being turned away due to me being a single female British traveller visiting an apartment address rather than a hotel.
Please can someone give me advice?
Many thanks
and enjoy your stay at Doha.
Ignore the despos....
you just hold any visa card with you my dear nothing eles because in the airport they will ask you for vsia card just for show .
All our people do.
as many have commented above, UK is on the list of 33 countries that are confirmed visa on entry.
Everything will be fine, really no need to stress, in my experience, customs officials here are very helpful:-)
Good Luck and enjoy Doha.
You should have no problem just have a credit card to pay for your visa on Arrival. Its around 20 quid.
ya Qatar is a Safe Place .. don't worry about it... Qatar is a Peace Country..and very very nice place... no doubt very Strong Securities ... Laws...
It sure cuts the line! Costs about 100QR plus 100QR for the visa.
Mandi
It's really not worth it to get any services like that. Qatar is totally safe and to be honest a lot safer than most places that I've been to. Even the airport is fairly small and easy to navigate.
The immigration probably won't even ask for the address you're going to (they haven't even ever talked to me - i've been through 4+ times back and forth to Canada).
The cabs etc. are very safe to take as well - just grab your bags and everything after going through immigration, grab a Karwa (green) taxi from the que outside and enjoy the view!
I've used it a few times, don't know how much it costs, but I love it...especially because I travel with a toddler. They do everything for you :-)
I have heard about the Al Maha meet and greet service - anyone know if this is worth it? Also how much does it cost?
Is it just better to do the normal thing and go through immigration like everyone else?
Thx !
Your friend can even arrange and pay for your visa-on-arrival through the Al Maha meet and greet services. You are taken to a lounge while they do the short paperwork, then you are escorted through immigration and customs in a blink.
Mandi
hi madam
i do hope u r fine there ?
i read ur prob now and also i read the comments of others ppl
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or send ur frnd in my office in MANSOORA
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you are right to be cautious. there are many people here who will take you for anything, same as anywhere really.
Be sure you have a credit card to pay for the visa on arrival.
Don't worry, as everyone said you can get on arrival visa and Qatar is a safe place to travel.
Have a nice trip
Support Qatar for 2022 Bid!!!
You can book your hotel accommodation online here if you want to:
http://www.holidayvilladoha.com/
Wow - so many helpful replies! thanks everyone..I feel alot better about the whole thing now. I'll present the address of her apartment and I also have her letter of invitation as back up!
Yep I figured it wouldn't be half as bad as Saudi, but still im cautious!
x
No worries Livvy, when you come through immigration, the'll take payment by card for your tourist visa. As you can see some people like Mamoonh are out to make money from you. Safe flight :-)
you'll be fine at the airport with your friends address. you have to pay for your visa with a credit card, they don't take any kinda cash. there is a government e cash card you can get at the airport but it's a big palarva.
who will offer to help you and suggest meeting up when you get here livvy. Just ignore them and get your visa upon arrival listing your friend's address as your accommodations.
Thanks Snessy - (Mamoon is talking rubbish right?!)
Yep thanks for the advice about the alcohol..I do remember this kind of thing in Jeddah, magazines, DVDs etc were all checked and confiscated at times..I will pack carefully!
So looks like I am set to go!
x
If you've lived in Saudi, then Qatar is a piece of cake..
Have a great time :O)
But yeh, good point made on the booze. :-)
Mamoonh, go away you weasel, she doesn't need it in advance from you as you're fully aware she's British!
You're probably already aware, but they confiscate booze here "IF" they find it when scanning your bags. The duty free staff at UK airports will still tell you it's allowed though, they're not the brightest stars!
I prefer you to get visa in advance just for save entry through hotel. for assistance you may contact me any time at [email protected]
mamoon
good luck
Safe landing... do holler when you get in!! :-P
Hey,
Yep first time in Qatar - and a few years now since I was in the middle east. I loved it in Jeddah and Doha looks great..so I am really looking forward to spending time there and seeing my friend.
I was just last minute nerves about arriving there and standing out like a sore thumb as a young english girl - didn't want to get into trouble with the visa application! But it all sounds okay feel much calmer now..thanks for the advice!
I'm not sure if Jeddah allows VOA for most western countries like Qatar does. But yeah, you will be fine, so long as you're not nervous and arouse any suspicion ;-)
We do have a fair share of foreigners coming into the country, especially western ones who can avail of the VOA facility.
I presume this is your 1st visit here?
I've flown in alone a few times, you'll have no problems. Perks of a British passport...I would say half the people on your flight will be foreigners...
Wow thank you for the quick replies...nope not visiting a boyfriend - he will be worrying about me back at home!
I lived in jeddah before (very strict!) so just wanted to be sure I am not being completely foolish in travelling to qatar alone. It seems most here think I should be fine paying for the visa, providing a residential address of a non relative.
big relief thank you! Any other tips etc would be much appreciated...so simply get off plane, on to bus and join the queue for immigration yep...are there many foreigners arriving into Doha?
So why don't you state your girl friends address if asked by the Immigration Officer?
I don't think you will have a problem, unless you're coming to see your bf and that is what is worrying you ;-)
Dont worry about it at all...I am from Canada (as is my wife) and we both flew over separately. They don't even talk to you at immigration - basically get off of your plane, get on the small bus that brings you to the terminal, present your passport and a credit card to the immigration booth and they'll scan it through, charge your card 120 riyal for the visa and you're done. I don't know what previous middle eastern experience you have but this is extremely laid back...
You don't need anything, you'll get a tourist visa on arrival.
Most of my family have been here to visit and none of them know my actual address here, so they wouldn't have provided it for anyone.
One of my friends came recently. She is a single girl from a western country and she didn't have a hotel booking, she got visa on arrival. She faced no problem so I am guessing there isn't any but I maybe wrong.