Qatar

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Qatar’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Qatar set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact Qatar’s embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

If you are visiting Qatar, your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

If you are a resident of Qatar, your passport must be valid when you arrive.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can get a tourist visa on arrival if you’re travelling on a full British Citizen passport.

You must still get a visa in advance if:

• you’re travelling for any purpose other than tourism
• you hold another type of British passport

If you need to stay longer than 30 days, you must extend your visa waiver before it expires through the Qatar Ministry of Interior. If you do not do this, you may be fined. The fine must be paid before leaving Qatar.

There is more information on visa requirements and extensions on the Qatar Ministry of Interior website.

Travel bans

If you are subject to a travel ban, involved in legal proceedings, have unpaid debt or are a child subject to a custody dispute, you may be prevented from leaving Qatar by the Qatari authorities.

Transit passengers

At the airport, all bags are scanned. Transit passengers found with even residual amounts of drugs may be arrested. This includes drugs which may be legal in other countries, but not in Qatar.

Travellers cannot stay in the transit area for more than 24 hours between flights, even if you are booked into the transit hotel in the airport.

There is more information about transit through Qatar on the Hamad International Airport website.

Mandatory health insurance

If you’re staying in Qatar for more than 30 days, you must buy health insurance from a registered Ministry of Public Health ( MOPH) insurance provider before you travel.

For more guidance see the MOPH website. 

The standard insurance premium is 50 Qatari riyals per person, per month.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Qatar, you must have certificates to prove you’ve had:

• a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk
• a polio vaccination in some circumstances

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about what goods you can take into and out of Qatar. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

It is illegal to import and sell vapes and electronic cigarette products. This includes the sale and purchase of related liquids and other similar products, including electronic shisha pipes. The law applies regardless of quantity and intended use. Customs officials may confiscate any such items from your luggage or from packages sent by post.

Qatar also prohibits the importation, sale and purchase of electronic cigarettes, liquids and other similar products, including electronic shisha pipes. The law applies regardless of quantity and intended use. Customs officials may seize and confiscate any such items from your luggage or from packages sent by post.

Taking medication into Qatar 

Qatar has guidance on medications that you can bring into Qatar. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, contact the Qatari Embassy in the UK.

Taking money, precious metals or gems into Qatar

If you are taking money, precious metals or gems worth more than 50,000 Qatari riyals into Qatar, you must complete a declaration form. This includes:

• currency – Qatari riyal or foreign currencies
• travellers cheques, money orders, cheques, promissory notes (including those endorsed without restriction, incomplete, payable to a fictitious payee or signed but without the payee’s name)
• precious metals – such as gold, silver, platinum
• precious stones – such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, pearls

You must also give customs officials any other information they request.

If you break these rules, you could be fined or imprisoned, as well as the funds or goods being seized.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Qatar

Telephone: 999 (ambulance, fire, police)

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, and translators and interpreters in Qatar
• dealing with a death in Qatar
• being arrested in Qatar
• getting help if you’re a  victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you are affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

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• travel advice on X
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Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Qatar on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.