The Consular Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a number of guidelines and advices to Qatari nationals wishing to travel abroad.

The Department emphasised the importance of ensuring the validity of passports and identity cards by 6 months, obtaining entry visas from countries requiring prior visas and following host country's regulations and laws and travel requirements and international aviation regulations.

The Consular Affairs Department advised not to purchase air tickets from the airlines of the blockading countries via the internet. It also advised citizens to keep passports, air tickets and valuables in safe places, and not to pledge a passport or ID card to any party in any way.

If non-Qatari workers and non-Qatari escorts are traveling, the sponsor must inquire about the visas and procedures followed in this regard, the Department said.

It urged citizens travelling abroad to not carry gold jewelry and valuables or interact with nationals of some countries that have opposing positions to the State of Qatar. It also urged citizens to pay attention to children in gatherings and markets.

The Department stated that security services of the host country should not be allowed to inspect the place of residence without permission from the relevant authority, and emphasized the need to ensure the official status of persons requesting personal identity. It urged citizens to keep the numbers of Qatar Embassy in the host country for reference when necessary.

The Department noted that passport number and ID number should be kept in mind when requesting the help of the mission if they are lost. It advised citizens traveling in groups to not carry large sums of money individually and distribute it among family members. It pointed out the importance keeping the money exchange receipt.

When arriving at the airport of the country of destination, the Qatari passenger must inform the customs officer of the cash he or she has (if it exceeds ten thousand euros or ten thousand US dollars) before it is discovered to avoid charges or confiscation.

The Department advice citizens to avoid gatherings and suspicious places approaching strange objects. It also advised citizens to not wear face cover such as niqab in countries that prohibit it. In the event of any problem, citizens should head directly to inform the nearest embassy or consulate of the State of Qatar and notify officials of the problem.

If a Qatari citizens is being investigated, he or she must head immediately to inform the State Mission. If there is a terrorist act, citizens must communicate with the embassy to receive advice.

The Department urged citizens to register on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before traveling.

The Department advised citizens to not bringing meat and dairy products to European countries. If a citizen wished to bring food (not mentioned above), he or she should not exceed the personal use (2 kg).

The Department of Consular Affairs advised Qataris going to the United States to ensure that all legal issues related to their stay in the United States of America are resolved, such as paying traffic violations and attending US courts. It emphasized the importance of ensuring that electronic devices are free of any subjects that are against US laws.

In the case of traveling companions (servants, nannies or drivers), their passports should not be kept with the sponsor, the Department said, adding that the sponsor should take into account that the number of working hours are (8) hours per day, as well as the holidays and weekends. The Department also advised to open a bank account for the worker. If the payment is in cash then proof of receipt must be taken. The sponsor must also secure adequate housing. Sponsor must inform the nearest Qatari diplomatic mission in case the worker ran away.

The Department of Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged to see the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs www.mofa.gov.qa to know the countries that exempt passport holders (of all types) from obtaining visas or require prior visas through embassies or visas at the country's ports upon arrival.

Citizens can communicate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the following phone numbers from inside and outside Qatar: 40111104-40111000-40111104. (QNA)

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Khadiza Begum

Content Writer

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