Qatar lifts visa requirements for 80 countries

Citizens of the 80 countries will no longer need to apply or pay for a visa and will be issued a multi-entry waiver free-of-charge at the port of entry instead. 

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Ministry of Interior (MoI), the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), and Qatar Airways lifted the visa requirements for 80 countries, allowing visa-free entry for the citizens of those nations effective Wednesday.

Citizens of the 80 countries will no longer need to apply or pay for a visa and will be issued a multi-entry waiver free-of-charge at the port of entry instead. 

Depending on the nationality, visitors can receive waivers valid for up to 180 days from the date of issue down to 30 days upon entry.

In a statement on Wednesday, Qatari authorities claimed the move comes “as part of a series of measures that Qatar has taken to facilitate visitor access to the country.”

However, it could be aimed at opening up the isolated Gulf nation to new investors and business.

In June, a Saudi-led boycott resulted in the cutting of diplomatic ties with Qatar who was accused of supporting terrorism.

Qatar denied the claims against it, labeling the decision from its neighboring countries to sever ties “unjustified” and with “no basis in fact.”

While the list is extensive, it did not extend to include Iraq. Iraqi passport holders will have to continue applying for e-visas.

Last month, Qatar launched an e-visa platform, www.qatarvisaservice.com, through which travelers can apply for tourist and visitor visas online.

The list of countries for which the visa requirements were lifted is as follows:

1.       Austria

2.       Bahamas

3.       Belgium

4.       Bulgaria

5.       Croatia

6.       Cyprus

7.       Czech Republic

8.       Denmark

9.       Estonia

10.   Finland

11.   France

12.   Germany

13.   Greece

14.   Hungary

15.   Iceland

16.   Italy

17.   Latvia

18.   Liechtenstein

19.   Lithuania

20.   Luxembourg

21.   Malta

22.   Netherlands

23.   Norway

24.   Poland

25.   Portugal

26.   Romania

27.   Seychelles

 

28.   Slovakia

29.   Slovenia

30.   Spain

31.   Sweden

32.   Switzerland

33.   Turkey

34.   Andorra

35.   Argentina

36.   Australia

37.   Belarus

38.   Bolivia

39.   Brazil

40.   Brunei

41.   Canada

42.   Chile

43.   China

44.   Colombia

45.   Ecuador

46.   Panama

47.   Costa Rica

48.   Georgia

49.   Guyana

50.   Hong Kong

51.   India

52.   Indonesia

53.   Ireland

54.   Japan

 

55.   Kazakhstan

56.   Lebanon 

57.   Azerbaijan  

58.   Macedonia

59.   Malaysia

60.   Maldives

61.   Mexico

62.   Moldova

63.   Monaco

64.   New Zealand

65.   Paraguay

66.   Peru

67.   Russia

68.   San Marino

69.   Singapore

70.   South Africa

71.   South Korea

72.   Suriname

73.   Cuba

74.   Thailand

75.   Ukraine

76.   United Kingdom

77.   United States

78.   Uruguay

79.   Vatican City

80.   Venezuela 

 


Editing by Karzan Sulaivany