Qatar Quits Instant Tourist Visa for US Citizens?
Rumor has it that The Government of Qatar recently informed the U.S. Embassy that as of May 1, 2010 U.S. citizens will no longer be able to apply for tourist visas on arrival in Qatar.
U.S. citizens who plan on travelling to Qatar after May 1, 2010 should contact their nearest Qatari Embassy (www.english.mofa.gov.qa) or the Ministry of Interior (www.moi.gov.qa/site/english) for details on how to apply for their visa.
That’s a fairly spectacular change, and sort of short notice . . .
3 Comments »
Leave a reply to daggero Cancel reply
Recent Comments
Catherine on Donna Leon Crossing Cultu… intlxpatr on Ignoring the Law thani on Ignoring the Law Anon. on British Soldier Kidnapped, Esc… Reeva Mills on Cahors to Bordeaux, Preparing… Wikipedia Donate Button
Amazina
Early Voting in Florida
Here There and Everywhere 
Intlxpatr :
With Visa restrictions on travelers from the Middle east to Europe and the States , I think it is only fair to expect reciprocity in return for visa applicants to come to the Middle East specially to the Gulf countries .
The schengen (European Visa ) still a lengthy and humiliating process as if the gulf countries’ citizens are going to Europe to steal the European Jobs or live off their Welfare system .
With the security people in charge of the Visa issue ,the Job of an Ambassador is rendered useless and knowing any Ambassador does not make sense now as they have no say in getting the Visa , which the most interaction an Ambassador or council can have with the locals.
As much as i loathe the current Libyan Leader and his eccentricity I have to admit that Libya has taught the Swiss and the E U countries a lesson in respect of their sovereignty when he revoked all visas to EU citizens and business people to come to Libya until EU and switzerland reinstate Visa’s to the Libyan citizens .
This has shown true leadership even when we disagree with the Libyan politics .A Lesson that i hope will not be lost on the Leaders of the GCC countries who citizens are putting up with the Bull Shit of obtaining a simple tourist or student visa , while the citizen of the Eu or the US come gallivanting through the GCC airports and get their Visa on arrival.
Like they say Friendship is a two way street . Maybe the Qataris have observed the Libyan lesson and acted accordingly . We will see.
One recent bright development is the British Embassy in Kuwait is offering a short form for visa application to Kuwaiti citizen (on trial basis ) and up to 10 years validity for KD 250 ($750) . Hep Hep Hurray
Daggero – I agree. Visa agreements need to be a two-way street, and it should not be a humiliating procedure. Dealing with the American Embassy, even for Americans, can be frustrating and maddening.
totally official, and totally annoying:
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/585552-qatar-bans-visas-on-arrival-for-uk-us-nationals