Dubai - Believe it or not, UAE residents of certain nationalities and professions cannot enter Qatar if they don't fly Qatar Airways. A circular to this effect was issued by the Qatar Minister of Interior to Qatar Airways two weeks ago.
Subsequently, several passengers who had bought tickets from other airlines unaware of the new regulation, were turned away by the UAE airport authorities.
Says Kumar, an investor, who was booked by an Air Arabia flight to Doha: "After I checked in and was issued my boarding pass, the airport authorities, quoting the new rule, prevented me from boarding the flight. The travel agency did not inform me of the new rule, and in the bargain, I lost the money spent on the ticket since Air Arabia does not refund in the last minute."
Obada, officer in-charge for reservation at Qatar Airways, said: "We received a circular recently from the Qatar Ministry of Interior updating us on the latest developments. According to the new rules, Qatar grants tourist and visit visas upon arrival at the airport in Doha for many nationals including those from USA, Canada, Iceland, West European countries, some East European countries, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia. Hong Kong, South Korea, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, Andorra, Switzerland, besides nationals and residents of the GCC."
UAE residents of other nationalities and in certain professions including investors, managers, engineers, doctors and sales representatives have to travel only by Qatar Airways to obtain visa at Doha airport. They are required to have valid passports and residence permits of not less than six months.
Certain nationalities like Yemenis, Iraqis and Palestinians are not allowed to enter Qatar without obtaining visa from the Qatar Ministry of Interior, Obada said, adding that those who are not entitled for visa should contact Qatar Airways for arrangement of holiday package against Dh780 or a weekend package.
He said professionals entitled to entering Qatar can also apply for visas through hotels in Qatar, which arrange for the visa to be collected on arrival at the airport. Those wishing to visit friends or relatives in Qatar should ask them to apply with the immigration authorities in Qatar on their behalf for visa.
Source in Qatar Consulate said: "We have not received any circular from the Ministry of Interior regarding the new visa rules since the Embassy does not issue visas to expatriates. We issue visas only to Europeans or those who have approval from the Ministry of Interior."
Shalini Rajan, UAE Manager of Air Arabia, said: "We received a circular regarding the new changes including the list of professions, which we circulated among travel agencies. The immigration rules are the responsibility of the passenger and airport authorities. Passengers should make sure about this before buying their tickets. Travel agencies don't have the time to check immigration rules every time."
"Many people have been affected by this decision since Air Arabia refunds the ticket amount only if the passenger cancels the ticket 24 hours before the flight. Otherwise, only the airport tax is refunded," she said.
By Amira Agarib
© Khaleej Times 2005
