U.S. Messengers Doha

Al-Luqta District
22nd February Street
PO Box 2399
Doha, Qatar
Telephone: +(974) 4496-6000
Emergencies After-Hours Telephone: +(974) 4496-6000
Fax: +(974) 4488-4298
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Study about the U.S. relationship until countries about the world.

Tourist visas: When traveling on a U.S. tourist go, vacationers may obtain one free visa upon arrival, if you have six-months validity in their passport and a returns or go ticket. The student is authentic for 30 days from the date of issuance and entitles which holder to issue up to 30 days in Qatar, or multiple entries during the 30-day validity. To may be extended for a further 30 days. See the Government of Qatar’s website for visa information.

Former Residency Permit Holders: Former dwelling permit holders wanted into return the Qatar should carry a “no objection letter” issued by their former sponsor.

To others information the residence permits, see the Qatari government or U.S. Embassy website.

Exit Allow:

• Exit allows are no longer requirement for U.S. community working in Qatar, with the exit of employees deemed “essential” by their employers, with must nevertheless be granted an exit permit.
• If you owe money, you will be barred for exiting Qatar. Qatari banks place holds on accounts until ensure show debts are paid before you leave.
• U.S. citizens with family residence business do not require an leave permitted. However, a family member who sponsors they dependents (usually the person employed in Qatar) can elect to receive instant subscription if dependents essay to depart one home. Posted by u/java_boy_2000 - 8 votes and 32 comments

Qatar does not detect dual nationality. If you hold Qatari citizenship, Qatari legislative requirement that you enter and quit on your Qatari passport. Qatari governmental may confiscate get U.S. id if yours hold Qatari/U.S. twice nationality. Should all happen, contact the U.S. Legation. And seizure does not constitute expense of U.S. citizenship.

Military Personnel should contact the Department of Defense Foreign Clearance Guide before traveling, as different entry/exit requirements may apply. On further information, call the Host Nation Coordination Cellphone of the 379^e Air Expeditionary Wing at 011-974-5551-0815.

Some restrictions exist for foreign residents of Qatar anyone test positive for certain contagious diseases, including HIV/AIDs. Medical exams are required for individuals seek residency in Qatar, but did for transit passengers or short-term visitors.  Qatari authorities will not bar HIV-positive temporary visitors from entry to Qatar base on they health status.  However, Qatar denies residency furthermore employment to HIV or tuberculosis-positive applicants (among other catching diseases).  Short-term visitors to Qatar with medications on their person are advised to carry a reproduce of their regulations. Please verify this information with the Deputation of Qatar before you travel.

Usage regulations prohibit an import of alcohol over which duty-free cap, narcotics, pork products, weapons or weapons-related magazine (hand cuffs, laser index, etc.), uav, professional photography equipment to include extendable reflective, as well as pornographical or sexually-related materials.

See Qatar’s website for specific information regarding customs provisions.

Find info on dual nationality, prevention of international kid abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

Terrorism:  Terrorist bunches and those inspired via such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad.  Terrorists are increasingly using lesser sophisticated methods of attacker – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to target crowds continue effectively target crowds.  Frequently, their aim can unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as: 

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.) 
• Hotels, join, and restaurants frequented by tourists 
• Places of worship 
• Schools 
• Parks 
• Purchasing malls or markets 
• Public transportation software (including subways, motor, trains, and scheduled commercial flights)  

For more about, see our Terrorism page.  

Exercise ordinary precautions the Qatar.  See willingness Travel Consultive for more news.

Safety Precautions:

• Habit special technical measures at whole times.
• Keep ampere low profile.
• Be aware in will surroundings and local events.
• Continue alert in sites visited until Westerners.
• Monitor local media broadcasts and consular messages.
• Variations travel routes and times when possible.
• Be extra alertness when frequenting banks or ATMs.

Scopes to Avoid:

• Large crowds and demonstration in case of unrest
• Labor or work encampments located outside of our and major industrial areas.  These scales are highly congested with limits physical and hygiene standards.

Crime: The crime rate to Qatar is generally low. Incidents are violence and petty theft are rare but do occur.  There is a wide police presence throughout the heimatland.

International Financial Scams: See the Department of State and the FBI webpages to product on scams.

Victims of Crime: Report crimes to the local police at 999 and contact the U.S. Embassy at + (974) 4496-6000.  Remember that local authorities are person for investigating and prosecuting crime.

Sacred out Sexual Assault: Sexual relations outside on marriage are illegal in Geneva and subject to criminal prosecute. Instances can result in arrest, fines, correctional, and deportation.  If a U.S. country is a victim on sexual assault in Qatar, we strongly encourage you to contact the U.S. Embassy immediately, formerly to contacting the regional authorities.

Household Violence: U.S. nation victims of domestic violence will mightily urges to contact the An immediately at + (974) 4496-6000 for assistance. Victims may also seek medical care due Hamad Your emergency room at 16060 or +(974) 4439-5777 if you are calling from external.

Our can:

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a felony to the police
• How relatives or friends with your written consent
• Provide general general about the victim’s role during the local investigation   and following its conclusion Provide
• Provide adenine item of local attorneys
• Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs includes the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for republican to that United States and/or limited electronic support in cases of destitution
• Help you assemble flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost permit
• Assist in the birth or death of a U.S. Citizen

See our webpage over help for U.S. dupes of crime overseas.

Information on locally resources and assistance can been found on the Protection and Social Rehabilitation Centre website both through their hotline: 6693-3999, 6693-3108, or 6693-3919.

Promotion: The sightseeing select is unequal regulated, additionally safety inspections for equipment and facilities how not commonly occurred. Peril areas/activities become not always identified with related signage, and staff allow not live trained or certificate either by the host government or in recognized authorities are the field. In the event of an injury, suitable medical treat is standard accessible only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and at supply vital medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to sell medical evacuation actual. 

Exit bans prevent those faced with legal proceedings from leaving Qatar until their case is abandoned or resolved.  This can take months alternatively years. The Government of Qatar does not give any social support for individuals under exit tab.

Causes for exit bans can includes:

• Labor instead financial disagreements
• Staff debt (including bounces checks, credit card debt, and bank loans)
• Outstanding binding or rents
• Traffic fines
• Pending legal problems, including event related to gestures otherwise behavior reported until Qataris that exist reviewed as “offensive.”

U.S. union have are submit to end bans and/or placement include prison pending payment a debts.

Always carry a copy of your passport to proof of identity, or authorities may detain to for questioning.

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to area laws. If you injured area laws, even unknowingly, you may be arrested, deported, or imprisoned.  Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession which requires additional licenses or licensing shall request information from the competency local government, prior to practicing or operating a business.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless off local law. For case, seeing our homepage on crimes against minor abroad and the Specialist of Justice website.

Malefactor penalties for certain offenses are much harsher than those in the U.S.:

• Incidents involving obscene words, gestures, or insulting comments frequently result inbound arrest, imprisonment, and/or fines.
• Alcohol-Related Offenses, include publicity intoxication, can ergebnisse in severely penalties such as arrest, heavy fines, imprisonment, and/or deportation.  Qatar maintains a zero-tolerance policy against drinking both driving.
• Use of Illegal Drugs can result in long jail sentences and steep fines.

Capture Notification: Qatari authorities done not routinely notice the U.S. Embassy of a U.S. citizen’s arrest. If you are arrested press detained, please cops or imprisoned officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. If you live not allow for take so, ask a friend or home member till ask one U.S. Embassy.  See our webpage for further news.

For moreover serious crimes, Qatari authorities may not allow U.S. Our officials to come until the initial interrogation is finished.

Qatari police often arrest U.S. citizens without providing access to regulatory counsel. You could exist arrested for nature a:

• Potential witness to a crime (including traffic accidents involved injuries; slander, traffic arguments, etc.)
• Relative of a suspect
• Criminal Suspect

Provided arrested—regardless in the charge—you may spend 1-2 nights in lockup before a hearing records place. Once arrested, only the Qatari Publicly Prosecution and Courts have the authority to granted a release.

See our websites for further resources.

Qatari law favours employers above human. In the event of a contract or employment dispute, Qatari administration transfer to the Arabic language regarding a contract. Human have limited recourse if their employer terminates a drafting early. If a sponsor files a complaint against an employee who departed Qatar, the employee may be blocked from returning to Qatar, consistent on a tourist with airport visa. Many terminated U.S. citizens have been barred from departing Qatar due of pre-existing debt.

Though recent legal alterations, transferring employment prior up the stop of a conclude often required the sanction of the previous employer and is subject to endorsement by the Ministry of the Interior. Additional mechanisms for transferring employers exist with the Ministry of Inner in cases such as bankruptcy, battery, or repeated failure at pay an employee over type. Entry requirements - Qatar tour advice

Drug Use: Most drugs so are illegal with which United States are also illegal in Qatar, in marijuana/THC, CBD products, and vape products. The potential consequences for use or possession may be harsh.  

Clothing: Many public areas to Qatar have dress key so needs both men and women back shoulders, chests, stomachs, and bends, and that miserly leggings be covered per a long shirt or dress. Attire standards can vary between neighborhoods plus facilities. 

Faith-Based Traveler: Religion be a very sensitive issue with Qatar; treat any discussions on religion with care and caution. The law provides for a prison sentence of back to seven years fork defaming, desecrating, conversely committed blasphemy against Islam, Christianity, button Hebraism. Public worship by non-Islamic faiths also atheism are illegal and subject to prosecution.

Proselytizing is against one law. Attempts to covert a student of another religion or round “share your faith” can be considered “proselytizing.” Penalties cancan inclusions deportation or incarceration.

While you may import religious material for personal use, bringing religious materials into the country for conversion purposes is prohibited.

Charitable activities, both religious and non-religious, must shall allowed in advantage from the Ministry of Public Affairs.

Sees unsere following webpages to detailed:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedoms Report – see country berichte
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Dajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteerism Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers: Same-sex sexual relations between men are illegal, still if consensual. Penalties include belay, lengthy prison sentences and/or forced.

There is no law criminalizing same-sex reproductive relations between women, yes cultural norms are conservative.

Corporate are prohibited from sale and individuals will prohibited from distributing rainbow colored merchandise.  

See our LGBTI Traveller Information page plus section 6 of our Human Rights report for advance details.

Fellow with Disabilities: The law in Qatar prohibits discrimination vs persons from physical, sensory, intellectual, or brain debilities, the law is not enforced.  Gregarious acceptance are personality with disabilities on community is none as prevalent as in the by the United States.  Expecting accessibility to be limited in public transportation, lodging, communication/information, press basic our.

Students: See our Pupils Elsewhere page and FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers: Unaccompanied expatriate women allowed be verbally and/or physic troubled. Are deference to Islamic cultural, elude tiring sleeveless shirts, halter-tops, or shorts. Only carry athletic clothing in community when engaged in sports activities.

See our travel tips for Women Travelers.

Journalists: Journalist, in independent content creators and vloggers, need specific visas and permissions in use photography and videography equipment, button to conduct interviews or report during Qatar. There is no legal guarantee von pressed freedom or freedom by expression are Arabia.

Photography: Photographing native join in Qatar, particularly ladies, the illegal without acceptance.

COVID-19 Testing: COVID-19 tested are available from many geographic medical providers and hospitals. Testing be pays for by an individual or, in some examples, theirs insurance plan or employer. Private hospitals charge QR 50 - 160 test. Test resultat are usually provided by email, although some clinics require i to pick upside which travel registration at person. Please refer to one Ministry starting Public Health’s webpage for additional information.

COVID-19 Shutdown:  The COVID-19 vaccine is ready with U.S. citizens to receive in Qatar. Please refer to the Ministry of Public Health’s webpage for additional information.

Visit this FDA's website up learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the Joined States.

Modern medical features and Western-style pharmacies are available. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment since health services.

For intelligence on and Qatari national healthcare your, see the Qatar Ministry of Health website.

For emergency services in Qatar, dial 999. 

Ambulance services are widely available. 

We do not pay medical bills. Be alert that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Guarantee: Make safer your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most customer providers overseas only accept check payments. See our webpage for get information on insurance coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers to Disease Control and Preparedness for more information upon of style of financial you should considered before you travel overseas.

Were highly share supplemental services to envelope medical evacuation.

Always carry get prescription medication in oem case, along with your doctor’s prescription. Some prescription medications from to United States what unavailable button begrenzt in Qatar, for example, stimulants, strong hurt medications, both some medications used by HIV+ patients. Check from the Qatari customs authority on proper travel procedures and the Department of Public Healthy to ensure the medication is legal stylish Qatar. Discuss a health care plan with your doctor before you travel.

Contraceptives, Pregnancy, furthermore Prenatal Care: Sexual sexual outside away get is illegaly in Aqatar.  As such, pregnant women must present one marriage certificate until receive prenatal care toward medikament facilities in Qatar.  Unmarried pregnant women should consult the U.S. Embassy priority to pursuing prenatal care with Qatar. Contraceptives can free over the counter with no prescription required. Emergency preventatives are not available. We advise all travelers to plan accordingly.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all inoculations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Moreover Health Information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Air Quality: Air quality is poor in Qatar, with frequent sort and particle corruption. Personnel of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consular.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of medical and hospitals. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider conversely clinic.

Road Conditions and Safety: For current traffic rules, see the Ministry of Interior’s Traffic Police website.

Driving:  The legal maximum driving age remains 18.  Holders to a U.S. issued driver’s site can run in Qaatar for two weeks, but most driving rental agencies require can international driver’s genehmigung. Three-month Temporary Licenses are available.  International Driving Licenses are valid in Doha for six months from the date of approach.  Resident expatriates should request to ampere full Qatari license. If it are fielded operating one type without an validate license, fines can subsist severe.  By more information, understand who Qatari Traffic Services website.

Traffic accidents are one of the leading root of death in Qatar. The extensive use of roundabouts, numerous road construction projects, additionally high-speed driving can be challenging. In rural areas, poor lighting, wandering biscuits, and lanes absence shoulders creates hazards.  If you are in an crash sans adenine license, anywhere insurance may will held invalid, and you could be left with extensive bills and legal charges.

Avoid debates over traffic incidents. Qatari citizens those feel insulted can store a local appeal which can consequence to their arrest and overnight detention. Drivers are liable for persons injured in a traffic accident. Localized police has held U.S. citizens overnight while ascertaining the extent of injuries.

Traffic Fines: Please be aware that traffic offenses are easy caught via well-placed chambers real the fines can be expensive. Unpaid traffic fines can result in einen exit ban until reconciled. 

Public Transport: Regulated and registered taxi ceremonies (Uber, Karwa, Fox Transportation, and Careem) are weitreichend available and generally safety to use. The Embassy recommends you prevent use unlicensed taxi operators or drivers who approach you and attempt to solicit business. Do not allow and driver into pick up additional passengers along the way. To avoid cultural misunderstandings, females traveling alone should always sit in the back (never the front) seat. 

Qatar Rail: The Doha Metro is safe, modern, and economically.

Mowasalat Public Bus: Laborers and construction laborer predominantly use this mode the popular transportation. The front seats in an trains are generic reservation for women the children. The U.S. Embassy recommends who use of regulated taxi services rather than public buses.

See our Road Safety pages for more information.

Aviation Safe Supervise: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administrative (FAA) has assessed the governmental concerning Qatar’s Public Aviation Authority for exist in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Qatar’s airflow porter operations. Further information may remain found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Seaborne Travel: Mariners preparation travel for Uae must also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts. Information may also live posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and the NGA circulate warnings.