Qatar
Entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Qatar’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Qatar set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact Qatar’s embassy in the UK.
Passport validity requirements
If you are visiting Qatar, your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive.
If you are a resident of Qatar, your passport must be valid when you arrive.
Visa requirements
You can get a tourist visa on arrival if you’re travelling on a full British Citizen passport.
You must still get a visa in advance if:
- you’re travelling for any purpose other than tourism
- you hold another type of British passport
If you need to stay longer than 30 days, you must extend your visa waiver before it expires through the Qatar Ministry of Interior. If you do not do this, you may be fined. The fine must be paid before leaving Qatar.
There is more information on visa requirements and extensions on the Qatar Ministry of Interior website.
Transit passengers
At the airport, all bags are scanned. Transit passengers found with even residual amounts of drugs may be arrested. This includes medication which may be legal in other countries, but not in Qatar. See bringing medication into Qatar
Travellers cannot stay in the transit area for more than 24 hours between flights, even if you are booked into the transit hotel in the airport.
There is more information about transit through Qatar on the Hamad International Airport website.
Mandatory health insurance
If you’re staying in Qatar for more than 30 days, you must buy health insurance from a registered Ministry of Public Health insurance provider before you travel.
For more guidance see the MOPH website.
The standard insurance premium is 50 Qatari riyals per person, per month.
Vaccine requirements
To enter Qatar, you must have certificates to prove you’ve had:
- a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk
- a polio vaccination in some circumstances
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro.
Customs rules
There are strict rules about what goods you can take into and out of Qatar. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Importing drugs, alcohol, pornography, pork products and religious books and material into Qatar is illegal. All luggage is scanned as you enter the country. Customs officials may examine, censor and confiscate any offensive materials or items, including images and recorded video materials.
Qatar also prohibits the importation, sale and purchase of electronic cigarettes, liquids and other similar products, including electronic shisha pipes. The law applies regardless of quantity and intended use. Customs officials may seize and confiscate any such items from your luggage or from packages sent by post.
Taking medication into Qatar
Qatar has guidance on medications that you can bring into Qatar. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, contact the Qatari Embassy in the UK.
Taking money, precious metals or gems into Qatar
If you are taking money, precious metals or gems worth more than 50,000 Qatari riyals into Qatar, you must complete a declaration form. This includes:
- currency – Qatari riyal or foreign currencies
- travellers cheques, money orders, cheques, promissory notes (including those endorsed without restriction, incomplete, payable to a fictitious payee or signed but without the payee’s name)
- precious metals – such as gold, silver, platinum
- precious stones – such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, pearls
You must also give customs officials any other information they request.
If you break these rules, you could be fined or imprisoned, as well as the funds or goods being seized.