Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language.

Muslim 95%

Located in the heart of the Persian Gulf, Qatar is a dynamic, modernizing, rapidly- developing country that is among the wealthiest per capita in the world. Qatar has become one of the world's fastest growing and highest per-capita income countries.

Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF).

Passports and visas are required.  U.S. citizens may obtain a single-entry tourist or business visa at Doha International Airport upon arrival.  Single-entry visas cost $28 and must be paid by credit card only.  Cash is not accepted.  Visas are valid for 30 days and may be extended for an additional 30 days for a $28 fee through the Airport Visas Section of the Immigration Department located next to Doha International Airport.  However, U.S.-citizen travelers will be able to clear Qatari immigration more quickly and be granted a longer stay in country by obtaining visas prior to arrival.  Former resident permit holders who return to Qatar for a short business or tourist trip may still obtain a visa on arrival at Doha International Airport.  To facilitate entry with Qatari Immigration, former resident permit holders should carry a “no objection letter” issued by their former sponsor. 

Travelers who are planning to arrive at another port of entry in Qatar, or travelers who previously held residency in Qatar but whose visa had been cancelled early or for whom a sponsor may have filed a complaint, should obtain a tourist or business visa in advance of their arrival from a Qatari embassy or consulate abroad or online at Qatar’s E-Government English language web site, http://portal.www.gov.qa/wps/portal.  Travelers should also note that the Qatari Government charges $55 for each day that an individual overstays a visa, up to a maximum amount of $3,300. 

For further information on visas, residence permits and entry requirements, please visit the Qatar’s E-Government English language web site, http://portal.www.gov.qa/wps/portal.  Travelers may also contact the Embassy of the State of Qatar (www.qatarembassy.net) at 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC   20037, telephone (202) 274-1600, fax (202) 237-0061.  They may also contact the Consulate General of the State of Qatar, 1990 Post Oak Blvd. Suite 810, Houston TX 77056, telephone (713) 355-8221, fax (713) 355-8184, send email inquiries to info@qatarembassy.org.
 
Military personnel are subject to different entry/exit requirements and should refer to www.fcg.pentagon.mil for specific information pertaining to their travel requirements. Additional information may be obtained by calling either the Host Nation Coordination Cell of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at 011-974-551-0815 or the Office of Military Cooperation Qatar at 011-974-488-4299.

Note for Dual Nationals:  Qatari law does not recognize dual nationality and requires that Qatari citizens only hold Qatari citizenship and enter and exit on a Qatari passport.  Qatari authorities have confiscated the passports of U.S. citizens who acquired Qatari citizenship through marriage to a Qatari national or by virtue of birth in the U.S.   In several cases, Qatari authorities informed U.S. citizens that their U.S. citizenship had been revoked and was no longer valid.  However, foreign governments have no authority to revoke the citizenship of a U.S. citizen.  If this occurs, please contact the U.S. Embassy in Doha immediately.  Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site.  For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.

Airports: 5, Airports w/paved runways: 3

Incidents of violence are rare in Qatar, although attacks against Western targets have occurred. American citizens in Qatar are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security at all times. The Department of State remains concerned about the possibility of terrorist attacks against US interests worldwide, including the Middle East. The crime rate in Qatar is low. A large police presence is apparent to travelers throughout the country.

Infant MR total: 18.04 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: TOTAL 73.9 years  (male 71.37/female 76.57)
 

Required: None
Recommended: Hep A & B, Rabies, Typhoid, Boosters: tetanus-diptheria, measles, polio as needed.

There is no risk of Malaria, but there is risk of Hepatitis B. Travelers’ diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which are found throughout the Middle East and can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting (E. coli, Salmonella, cholera, and parasites), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage (hepatitis). Cutaneous leishmaniasis is reported throughout the area; visceral leishmaniasis, although rare throughout most of the area, is common in central Iraq, in the southwest of Saudi Arabia, in the northwest of Syria, in Turkey (southeast Anatolia only), and in the west of Yemen.

Basic modern medical care and medicines are available in Doha. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the US can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Please refer to Infectious Disease Concerns section.

Country Code:  +974     
Internet Code:  .qa