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Americans, and Many Others, Can Now Travel to Qatar Without A Visa

Aug. 09, 2017
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3 min read
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Americans, and Many Others, Can Now Travel to Qatar Without A Visa
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Qatar announced Wednesday that it will allow visa-free entry for citizens of 80 countries, with immediate effect, scrapping the current visa requirements. The decision comes as the Gulf country is embroiled in a dispute with its neighbors, resulting in a diplomatic crisis and the closure of some national airspaces to Qatari aircraft, forcing Qatar Airways to take longer routes.

The countries include the USA, UK, Canada, India, South Africa, Seychelles, Australia and New Zealand. The waiver means that citizens of these countries wishing to visit Qatar will not need to apply or pay for a visa; instead, a multi-entry waiver will be issued free of charge at the port of entry, which for most travellers is Doha's Hamad International Airport (DOH) upon presentation of a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months, and a confirmed onward or return ticket.

Until today, US citizens and those of the countries that just got a waiver had to purchase a 30-day visa upon arrival, or apply online before traveling.

Depending on the nationality of the visitor, visa-free entry is valid for either 180 days and allows spending a total of 90 days in Qatar, or for 30 days.

You can check below to see your country's passport is among those benefiting from the waiver:

1) Nationals of the following 33 countries will not require prior visa arrangements and can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival in Qatar. The waiver will be valid for 180 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 90 days in Qatar, during either a single trip or on multiple trips.

2) Nationals of the following 47 countries (including the USA) will not require prior visa arrangements and can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival in Qatar. The waiver will be valid for 30 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 30 days in Qatar, during either a single trip or on multiple trips.

For nationalities entitled to 30 days, such as the USA and UK, Qatar says that the waiver can be extended by a further 30 days.

At a news conference in Doha on Wednesday with Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker (in the middle in the image), it was clear that Qatar wants to show the rest of the world that it's still open to visitors and that it's business as usual for the small Gulf nation.

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Hassan Al Ibrahim, acting chairman of the Qatar Tourism Authority, said that "with 80 nationalities eligible for a free visa waiver upon arrival, Qatar is now the most open country in the region."

The famously outspoken Al Baker also took a shot at the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, led by Saudi Arabia, pitted against Qatar in the current crisis. "Let me make this clear, Qatar welcomes every GCC citizen, without restriction," he said. "It's the GCC siege countries stopping them from coming here. But if they can get here, they're welcome — and visa free."

Are you planning to visit Qatar soon? Tell us below.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.