Alexa

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Changes for Visa on Arrival

Qatar has revised the visa-on-arrival scheme, making it mandatory for citizens of a number of countries to obtain a visa before travelling to Doha, foreign diplomats told Gulf Times yesterday.
The new visa regime is expected to come into force on May 1.
A visa is available on arrival to citizens of 33 “affluent” countries but it could not be verified whether the change would affect all the countries on this list.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the embassy that American citizens would need to obtain visas before arriving in Qatar starting on May 1,” consul at the US embassy, Alex Ave-Lallemant, told Gulf Times.

http://www.gulf-time...


Not good, not good at all.....
On the other hand, it is the 1st of April...

Dilmun

Yes, just hope, that's an April-fools-day article.

littlejimmy

Strange subject for a joke.

They've just lifted a Schengen zone visa ban here in Libya. It was causing a lot of problems for one of the company's involved in the project (they are German).

Alexa

we will see. IF it is true, it will cause major problems.
Talking about shooting oneself in the foot.

Alexa

Well, IF it is a joke, it is indeed strange. Wishful thinking I guess.
And there will be major problems if and when this is implemented.
Just think about visa procedures in qatari embassies, no way they can handle this.

zoukla

I say 1 more positive step towards the destruction of elitism and the proliferation of 'us an them' among some western countries.
The truth be told some expats do behave as if they own the place and do some crazy stuff....
Just a pity that the freedom afforded to investors might affect what i hear you say.....mmmm
Don't worry the black stuff and greens are so inviting they wont mind the small inconvenience of a visa...
GONE to have coffee...

Alexa

"proliferation between us and them". So soon enough all will receive the same salaries, benefits etc? Wow, now wouldn't that be fab!
Oh, and do you think it would be ok for "us" to buy our degrees and hire our family members? Oh, and not to forget, is it ok to say "yes" to everything, no matter if we are actually intending to do what we are asked of?
And is it ok to drink coffee all day and be engaged in very important conversations on our mobiles?
Not to forget chat sites....will we be able to chat all day from the office?

You think all this will be possible for ALL?

Oh, and sorry if I disrupted your coffee session.

Dilmun

Exactly who do you mean with 'us an them'?
oh, don't bother, not interested in your opinion anyhow.....

Crash

I have to agree with Zoukla about some of these out of control expats. They drive around like maniacs in their Land Cruisers menacing the law abiding local population, get crazy drunk in the hotel bars, will follow a woman all the way to her doorstep or even when she is dropping her kids off to school, and challenge people to fights knowing that no one will touch them because of the rich country they are from. It's about time the easy visit visas are cut off

Alexa

typical

We have been advised by the Government of Qatar that from 1 May 2010 they will withdraw the provision whereby British passport holders can obtain a visitors visa on arrival in Qatar. British visitors intending to travel to Qatar from 1 May 2010 should contact their nearest Qatari Embassy (www.english.mofa.gov.qa) for details of how to apply for their visa.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...h-africa/qatar

Alexa

Ah well, it serves the "West Haters", and is a big dis-service to Qatar.
And another step to separate East and West. Well done Qatar!

Bonny Boy

A little unfair.

I don't think a Qatari is able to just turn up in the US or UK and get a visa on arrival, so why should it be different for 'us'?

Of course it would be better if things could go in the other direction - ie UK/USA changed their requirements for Qataris in line with what were the Qatari requirements for UK/USA etc nationals.

Anyway, on the bright side it will help keep the riff-raff out - come on UAE!

Alexa

Unfair, maybe. BUT, "we" are here to work, invited by Qatar. We live here, working for Qatar. Our families are at home, and some want to come visit. Now, if a Qatari wants to go to the UK for example, he simply drives down the road to the UK embassy and applies for his visa. Now , the UK is slightly larger than Qatar, hence, "we" can't drive down the road to get a visa. Plus, we are talking about people from the West, for example from the education sector, coming on a few day visits. This now much more complicated. Also, how do you think the Qatari embassies around the world will deal with the demand created with this decision?
This not about fair, it is about "is it worth it ".

Bonny Boy

I'm sure they will be able to deal with it as well as the Saudis do.

...so no problem there then....