The FIFA World Cup 2022 is being held in Qatar, making Qatar a must-visit place!
Travelers are spoiled for choice when visiting Qatar. Qatar comprises mainly an Arid desert and the Persian Gulf Shore with dazzling beaches and dunes. The weather in Qatar is also sunny year-round, with very mild winters making it an excellent place for outdoor adventure. You can go dune bashing, a popular activity in Qatar. To beat the heat, visit an iconic spot in Qatar, the Al Thakira Mangroves. If you’re more of a beach person, visit Purple Island, abundant in lush greenery and mangroves. Maybe you love being a cultural tourist? It would be best to see The National Museum of Qatar and the innovative landmarks such as the Doha and the Aspire Tower.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Qatar is the home of the FIFA World Cup for 2022! The World Cup is an international association football competition. It is the most widely viewed and followed the sporting event, where Billions and billions of fans routinely wait four years to be able to cheer on their favorite teams.
This is the first year the World Cup is being held in the Arab world, in Qatar. It is being held from November 20th through December 18th to beat out the brutal summer months in Qatar. Qatar has had the last few years to prepare for the tourism and excitement of having the World Cup on their home ground, so it’s sure to be a successful event.
Special Notices
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar has sent out an alert for those traveling to Qatar during the World Cup. They strongly recommend you read the entire Qatar country information page on the U.S. Department of State’s Website. They also urge travelers to review the U.S. Embassy’s World Cup Page for guidance for Americans traveling to Qatar.
Due to the FIFA World Cup, Qatar has also issued a travel advisory. To learn more about the notice and to receive a checklist to prepare you for your trip, visit the U.S. Department of State website.
Passport Validity
Many countries require travelers to have six months of validity for entry. Qatar is included in one of those countries. You will be denied access to Qatar if your passport is due to expire in less than six months.
This requirement is put in place to avoid complications. When traveling, you may encounter an emergency where you may have to fly back home or that prolongs your stay. If your passport expires within that time, including the length of your trip, you may not be able to get back into your country.
Visa Requirement
Yes, Qatar does have a visa requirement. However, it is simple enough. You are eligible if you are a tourist, have a Passport with six months of validity, and a roundtrip ticket. If you meet all of those requirements, you will likely be able to obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at the airport in Qatar. The tourist visa is valid for up to thirty days. You are allowed to apply for an extension for another thirty days.
The Hayya Card
If you are traveling to Qatar for the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup, you must apply for a Hayya Card. Remember that the World Cup takes place this year from November 20th through December 18th. This is your entry permit into Qatar, which acts like a visa for the event. It is also used for stadium access and match tickets. There are also other benefits from the Hayya card, including free public transportation.
Everyone with a ticket to the FIFA World cup must fill out an application. You can find the application by downloading “ Hayya to Qatar 2022”.
To apply, you will need the following:
- A photo in color taken within the last six months
- Passport copy
- Your ticket application number
- Emergency contact information
- You will be required to confirm accommodation plans
Visit the Fifa World Cup’s page for Qatar 2022 for more details.
Local Laws and Exit bans
While traveling to Qatar, you should be mindful of their local laws. If you get reprimanded for anything while visiting, you will not be able to leave once the issue is solved. This process can take years, and with no help from the Qatar government for those with exit bans, it should be avoided at all costs.
Reasons for exit bans can include but are not limited to:
- Labor or financial disputes
- Personal debt
- Outstanding contracts or leases
- Traffic fines
- Pending legal matters
- Cases related to gestures or behavior reported by Qataris that are viewed as “offensive.”
What may be considered offensive varies from attire to religious proselytizing and even some sexualities. Many things are deemed illegal in Qatar that is not in the U.S., such as taking photographs of locals.
If You Need a Passport
You can apply for a passport renewal at any post office or courthouse, but the delivery time for a passport is six to ten weeks. Consider using a passport rush service, like The Passport Office. It offers renewal and new passport services in Tampa, Miami, Orlando, and Hollywood.
