"ADVERTISEMENTS"
Citizens of 80 countries worldwide can no enter Qatar visa free. This is after Qatar announced a program to allow visa-free entry to boost air transport and tourism.
The program is implemented despite the two-month boycott imposed on the tiny gulf state by its neighbor, spearheaded by Saudi Arabia.
Nationals from a different part of the world, including from India, Lebanon, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States only need to present a valid passport to enter the country.
"ADVERTISEMENTS"
Qatar will be hosting World Cup in 2022.
According to Chief Tourism Development Officer Hassan al-Ibrahim, visa exemption will make Qatar most open country in the region.
Out of 80 countries, 33 nations will be allowed to stay for 180 days or six months while 47 others can stay up to 30 days.
The following are 33 countries whose nationals are no longer required for a visa to enter Qatar:
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
They can obtain visa waiver that will be valid for 180 days upon arrival in Qatar.
Meanwhile, here are the 47 countries that do not require prior visa arrangement and can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival but only valid for a month or 30 days stay in Qatar. This waiver may be extended for a further 30 days.
1. Andorra
2. Argentina
3. Australia
4. Azerbaijan
5. Belarus
6. Bolivia
7. Brazil
8. Brunei
9. Canada
10. Chile
11. China
12. Colombia
13. Costa Rica
14. Cuba
15. Ecuador
16. Georgia
17. Guyana
18. Hong Kong
19. India
20. Indonesia
21. Ireland
22. Japan
23. Kazakhstan
24. Lebanon
25. Macedonia
26. Malaysia
27. Maldives
28. Mexico
29. Moldova
30. Monaco
31. New Zealand
32. Panama
33. Paraguay
34. Peru
35. Russia
36. San Marino
37. Singapore
38. South Africa
39. South Korea
40. Suriname
41. Thailand
42. Ukraine
43. United Kingdom
44. United States
45. Uruguay
46. Vatican City
47. Venezuela
The sad part is, the Philippines is not included in the long list.
Only this month that Qatar approved legislation allowing certain permanent residents to benefit from parts of the state's generous welfare system, including education and health-care services.
Qatar is the first country in the gulf that passed that kind of legislation.
Under the law, children of Qatari women married to foreigners and people with special skills "needed by the state," can benefit from the new status.
SEE MORE:
©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO
SEARCH JBSOLIS, TYPE KEYWORDS and TITLE OF ARTICLE at the box below
