The Qatari Interior Ministry has decided to suspend entry of all visitors through air, land and marine borders to the State of Qatar during the FIFA World Cup 2022, starting from November 1.
The announcement was made in a press conference on Wednesday, September 21.
The Ministry further announced that entry to Qatar is allowed only for Hayya cardholders, which will allow them to stay in the country until January 23, 2023.
Qatar visit visas suspension period
Qatar visit visas will be temporarily suspended from November 1 to December 23, 2022.
From November 1 till December 23rd, only Hayya cardholders will be allowed to enter Qatar. Accordingly, it will resume the visit visas from December 23, 2022.
The below categories are exempted from the suspension of entry to Qatar, between November 1 and December 23, 2022:
– Qatari citizens, residents and GCC citizens holding a Qatari ID card.
– Holders of personal recruitment visas and work entry permits.
– Humanitarian cases through the airport (based on the approval from the official application platform).
The Ministry of Interior called on all to abide by the laws and regulations issued in this regard and not to violate them in order to ensure the successful organisation of the upcoming World Cup event.
The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which is scheduled to begin on November 20.
Operated by Qatar, Hayya Card is mandatory for all the fans, who want to attend the World Cup matches, as it is an entry permit to Qatar and its stadiums during the football tournament. In addition, the card holders also must have their match tickets to watch the games at the venues. Holders of a Hayya card will have access to free public transit as well as a variety of contests and activities.
Read more: How to get Hayya Card for FIFA World Cup 2022
Qatar will become the first Arab country to host the World Cup. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said it will be the “best-ever” World Cup and that foreign fans will have an experience like a “child going to Disneyland for the first time and seeing the attractions and the toys”.
More than 2.45 million tickets have already been sold for the tournament. Over 500,000 tickets were snapped up during the most recent sales phase in July and August. The next sales period will begin around the end of September, while over-the-counter sales will start in Qatar soon.
Hayya card holders can bring 3 non-ticketed fans to Qatar during FIFA World Cup 2022
On the basis of Hayya Card, FIFA ticket holders can bring in three non-ticketed fans to enter Qatar during the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Invited fans with no tickets attached to their Hayya card must pay a fee of 500 riyals through the Hayya app before entering the state of Qatar. There will be no entry fee for non-ticketed fans aged under 12.
This feature will be launched in alignment with the Last-Minute Ticket Sales phase for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tickets.
Ticket holders can apply for the mandatory Hayya Card now, which will act as an entry permit to Qatar for international fans.
