Qatar announced a visa-free entry for citizens of 80 countries effective immediately. The move to open Qatar’s doors comes amid an ongoing Gulf dispute that has hit hard the country’s tourism and hospitality industry.Qatar waiver valid for 30 or 90 daysThe visa waiver allows the travelers to stay in Qatar for 30 or 90 days, depending on the nationality. For nationals of 33 countries (listed below), among them European countries like The Netherlands, France, and Germany, the waiver allows travelers to spend up to 90 days in Qatar, during either a single trip or on multiple trips. The waiver can be used 180 days from the date of issuance. 1. Austria2. Bahamas3. Belgium4. Bulgaria5. Croatia6. Cyprus7. Czech Republic8. Denmark9. Estonia10. Finland11. France12. Germany13. Greece14. Hungary15. Iceland16. Italy17. Latvia18. Liechtenstein19. Lithuania20. Luxembourg21. Malta22.Netherlands 23. Norway24. Poland25. Portugal26. Romania27. Seychelles28. Slovakia29. Slovenia30. Spain31. Sweden32. Switzerland33. Turkey Citizens of the other 47 countries (in the list below), such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, can spend up to 30 days in Qatar, also during either a single trip or on multiple trips. In this case, the waiver will be valid for 30 days from the date of issuance. The waiver could be extended for a further 30 days should the traveler wish so. 1. Andorra2. Argentina3. Australia4. Belarus5. Bolivia6. Brazil7. Brunei8. Canada9. Chile10. China11. Colombia12. Ecuador13. Panama14. Costa Rica15. Georgia16. Guyana 17. Hong Kong18. India19. Indonesia20. Ireland21. Japan22. Kazakhstan23. Lebanon24. Azerbaijan25. Macedonia26. Malaysia27. Maldives28. Mexico29. Moldova30. Monaco31. New Zealand32. Paraguay 33. Peru34. Russia35. San Marino36. Singapore37. South Africa38. South Korea39. Suriname40. Cuba41. Thailand42. Ukraine43. United Kingdom44. United States45. Uruguay46. Vatican City47. Venezuela “With 80 countries eligible for a visa waiver, Qatar is now the most open country in the region, and we are delighted to invite visitors to discover our renowned hospitality, cultural heritage and natural treasures”, said Hassan Al Ibrahim of the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) in a statement.The new visa waivers follow an earlier implemented four-day (96 hours) transit visas free that is available to Qatar Airways passengers transiting through the country, regardless of nationality. A senior Ministry of Interior official added that “further enhancements” to Qatar’s visa policies are under study and would be announced “in due course.”
Two months ago, major Arab countries cut diplomatic ties with Qatar. The boycott deprived Qatar of the major air routes, when all trade and travel was stopped by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Kingdom of Bahrain. The quartet claims Qatar supports terrorist groups and attempts to undermine their regional policies. To weather the pressure, the government in capital Doha announced a series of measures aimed at adjusting to the new situation.
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