New Entry Requirements for Brits

gawd, I hope that doesn't apply to brits with previous UAE RP's too! I'm buggered then!

When i arrived on wed morning to do a visa run, they witheld my passport and i was confined to the transit lounge for 6 hrs.WITH NO explanation at all.Talk about been treated like a criminal !!! Phucking idiots !!!

In fact, when they gave me my passport back as the gate opened, only then did the stupid woman explain that now, if yer previously held an RP permit and left Qatar, yer are now banned from re-entering AT ALL for 2 yrs....

Well done Qatar, nice moves on alienating Tourists....

So as far as Qatar is concerned, it can go phuck its self now...Next time i will go and spend my money in Dubai or Abu Dhabi...

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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM

Mr.P, please let the rest of us know the details!

Does that mean no more Shaggathon trips to Dubai?

If thats the way they want to treat tourists, then fine, vote with yer feet and spend yer money elsewhere.....

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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM

Oh I say that sounds awfully like a naughty word and I am sure it is not intended. Phhok em is far more acceptable. hic! Gins are flowing! Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Is this really true, i have lived here for 2 years on a tourist visa, and i have to travel next week to renew next week by going to Bahrain, does that mean i cant come back in....?? Plz someone tell me im scared....

Relax! U are a fit bird so they will let u in. Just only go to a bloke immigration person not a bint okay! If u get a bint be scared - be very scared! Yippeeeeeeeee Good advice from uncle Gin! Hic!

Alexa, I don't know if the new regulation applies to other nationalities.

Suggest that you check with your embassy.

Hey hun, yes my boyfriend works in immigration in the airport but theres certain things he cant help me with like breaking the law... But i dont think this applies for me coz i never had an RP in the 2 years ive been here so its cool... Im relaxed now :)

especially between the GCC countries. It looks like some folks are getting worried about not being able to fully control people through existing sponsorship laws. I suspect this might be overturned soon.

A life unexamined is not worth living -- Socrates

Again I see lack of communcation from the British Embassy, as usual, they are significant in no show and not informing their ex-pats about new regulations.

If they are representing Britain here in Qatar surely this goes for informing British expatriates of change in laws an rules affecting entry and departure rules. If they don't have an explantion for this then it is hgih time they do.

Great job British Embassy as always not notification no information well done again.

Paul, are you saying you flew in, and they did not let you buy a visa at the airport?????
Darn...things are getting crazier here by the minute....wonder what is behind all this....
Shyt...I was thinking of going back to KSA....but then I can't visit my friends here....neither can they come and visit me....really, this is CRAZY!!! This is almost like communism....:(

You mess with the cat, you get the claws....

Whoever thinks of these new regulations - seriously need their heads looking at - chances are they are inbread or have no brain!

Just think of all those kids off to university worldwide and had their RP cancelled - they can't come back to see their parents at a moments notice.

Friends and Family who have lived in Qatar in the last 2 years and cant go and visit friends and family left in Qatar.

Historically without the knowledge and expertise of many Brits - Qatar would not be the country it is today..... Who really set up this country? - and this is the way they get repaid!!!!!

I think someone will eventually realise the huge can of worms they have opened and put a stop to these 'silly' changes.

Can you imagine if this continues what it would do for the country.....? It will be utter Chaos! The Brits and Americans do loads for Qatar.

Would be interesting if as MR PAUL said that Qataris were given the same treatment from the UK..... We certainly would soon hear the uproar!!!

Bet a Visa has to be applied for through an embassy eg Qatar Embassy in London Like it used to be..... When the service was not great!

waiting in the departure lounge....I wasnt told the reason why i wasnt allowed in, in fact, like i said, i felt like a criminal.

Thats the bit thats pissing me off, the rudeness and ingnorance of the immigration muppets........

All they had to do was explain it to me.

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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM

So why the bright idea? any reason?

well why just Brits?

cos its stamped " cancelled" all over it.

But yer could come in as a tourist for 30 days, on a tourist visa.Thats how i used to come and see my QL mates.

But now they have banned ANY enry, of any type, if yer had an RP visa.

This to me is plain stupid.Why stop tourists ??

And just think, if yer have an Rp, yer buy property, then leave Qatar, they might not let ya back in, house or no house....Then what are ya gonna do ???

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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM

But i cant see any reason behind this move.

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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM

Does anyone know if this applies to all EU nationals?

"only mad dogs and englishmen go out in the midday sun"

This is accurate. Had a friend fly into Doha on Friday evening about 19:00 only to be denied entry. She has worked here in the last two years, and apparently from the 26th of September new laws are in place that if you have held an RP in the last two years you need some documentation to enter the country on a tourist visa. It is some sort of letter from your previous sponsor saying that they don’t object to you returning and that they take responsibility for you, etc, etc.

See quote below from the British Foreign Office:

As of 26 September, we have been made aware of new immigration regulations that may affect British passport holders that have previously held residence permits in Qatar. We strongly advise all British nationals that previously have held residence permits in Qatar and are planning to travel here as tourists to contact their airline or nearest Qatari Embassy to check the immigration requirements, as it may not be possible for them to purchase visit visas on arrival at Doha." http://www.fco.gov.u...
My friend was able to contact her previous employer and a clerk ran around to various iftar dinners and got the letters and she was granted entry at about 02:00. The details of exactly how this letter needs to be worded are unclear, but you can re-enter with permission of your previous visa sponsor, if they are willing to grant it.

"It is some sort of letter from your previous sponsor saying that they don’t object to you returning and that they take responsibility for you, "

Do they want a note from my mummy as well?

"er hello, is that my previous employer?"
"oh good, I don't seem to have anywhere to stay, I've got no money and I'm rather peckish!"
Could you sort that out for me? and I'll have the steak meduim rare , thanks"

"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."

have introduced a simlar ruling for Qataris entering the UK it is beginning to sound like a tit-for-tat ruling.
Not unlike the situation that arose when the law that Brits were required to obtain visas to enter Qatar was introduced.
Previously visas were not required.
The UK introduced the requirement for Qataris to obtain visas to comply with an EU law. Qatar responded, not surprisingly with like for like.
I wonder when the UAE will get round to doing it.

I expect that the new reulation is just another manifestation of the Qatari's 'Slave Master' mentality and is in place to make it more difficult for staff to change companies.

"only mad dogs and englishmen go out in the midday sun"

No previous employer, you are bound to their whim even up to two years since you left their employ.

"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."

The person who thought of this needs to add some chlorine to their gene pool....

They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin

Why are you so surprised? Qatar doesn't like you. Qatar needs you. So, suck out as much as you can and then leave.

thanks for the info.... I have always said that the Brit embassy is here for business and not for Brits...

they are useless.

So sorry to hear about your experience Mr P and Gumby sorry for your chum

So if I go back to the states in the summer just to visit, I can't come back to Qatar? Does this rule apply to people who have canceled RPs or does this apply to valid/current RPs as well?

You know what I think? I reckon that so many people have left Qatar recently by doing a 'runner' rather than resigning properly, that the Qatari authorities have lost the plot and have been unable to keep track of all the 'absconders'!

So in an attempt to control the situation they have put the block on anyone entering who has had an RP issued within the last two years.

Knowing Qatar a little bit I believe that makes sense, what do you think?

As I understand it you can leave Qatar and return without any problem as long as your RP is still valid and you are still employed in Qatar. The same should apply to your family and to those who are under their husband's sponsorship.

I think this new rule only applies to people who have left their jobs in Qatar, but who have had an RP issued to them within the last two years, regardless of whether their RP has been cancelled or not.

we had a guy (US) who went home for six months and his resident card was still in effect (until Dec 08) and he was/is still gainfully employed. He was at the airport in Dulles and he was told he could not return after the saw his exit visa was six months old. This was three weeks ago. Your guess is as good as mine as to why. I don't how or by whom the sponsor was informed but our company has to re-apply for a new visa and it took about a week and a half.

He who dies with the most toys wins.

back in the good ol' days there were tons of westerners. I was there for about three years and worked througout the Kingdom installing about 100,000 la silki telephones and I loved it especially Abha and Al Baha.

He who dies with the most toys wins.

Things in Qatar are getting crazier by the day...

....If a tourist had recently worked in Qatar then he doesnt get to tour Qatar!!!

I though the tourist's past experience in Qatar would have given him the benifit of doubt (driving rules, general customs, etc).......as atleast the guy has some kind of record in Qatar!

The only reason I can think of is they are trying out the 6year ban for expatriates....

I personally feel Qatar is stopping its own progress due to:
1. Enforcing Tourist eligiblity limits.
2. Employment bans.
3. Sponsor's Rule (signature for everything...).
4. Exit Permit.
5. Afternoon break working schedule, etc.
6. Limiting a person's talent and source of income by tying him to a single-job.

The result is these rulemakers are slowing down the progress of Qatar. Qatar and Oil rich Gulf should have had some of the biggest companies, Education institutes, Research Laboratories, Solar/Wind-power-farms in the world. But alas its still living off its Resources.

double post..

and quite shameful for the US. My understanding was that she was issued an apology, although I doubt that can in any way make up for what she experienced.

However, that really doesn't change the discussion here. Is Qatar actually benefitting from this new policy regarding visas? I don't think so.

A life unexamined is not worth living -- Socrates

Anyway blame your embassy if you are not informed, they are so useless even in a time of crises.

They will be the first ones to get themselves out of Qatar if something should happen, like they did in Iran, without informing the Brit expatriates properly at that time and there was no internet then.

Useless Useless Useless with you here Oryx

I am sorry STE but your analogy holds no weight.

To compare the rules of Qatar that are well established known by anyone who is wise enough to review their State Department/ministry of Interior's website would know that this will cause them problems.

America is country where these things are not against the law. How is she to know that as a European who falls under the Visa waiver program she is walking into a poop storm.

I am ashamed as an American that you compare the 2....

They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin

I think this will apply to all not just to Western countries. Perhaps we are the first on the list, as in the past many others especially Asians have come in on a visit visa after they had left their jobs and the country so I think this is the first step to stop all of this.

I am sure it will be recitified in some ways, especially for the children and families of expatriates otherwise they will be shooting the ball in their own goal.
Some of the laws are not always well thought through in the beginning and will have hiccups but so do the laws in the rest of the world.

As the British Foreign Office was aware of this why did they not inform the expatriates travelling to Qatar through the airlines about it, and why were they not informed at airports and such like.

It just goes to show how silly these organisations are and what are they being paid for?? They are useless in informing people at the right time they always know best after the fact.

cant vist my QL buddies for a Beer........

Yer will all have to come to Bahrain instead :D

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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM

STE re-read what I said. Your post adding nothing except a rehash of your previous post.

I will say again. It is strange to compare how Qatar does things to how America is supposed to do things.... But I will admit. America is no longer the country I learned about in civics classes back in high school.

But none the less. Qatar does things one a whim where as America has an in depth process of how laws and acts are to passed and implemented.

Qatar has decided to pass this law and start to implement in such a short time frame is proof of this. What law did the Spanish woman break exactly?

They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin

Merry

Whilst not wanting to get off-thread:

There is a similarity, both Qatar (and I might add that I am only using Qatar for discussion purpose not to comment on the countrys immigration policy) and the US have 'dicretionary' powers (for want of a better word)relating to immigration and which are used to a lesser or greater extent depending on the pervailing political climate.

My point is that all travellers should be aware that entry to another country is a privelage granted by that country, not a right.

"only mad dogs and englishmen go out in the midday sun"

PM, as a westerner and assuming I had a valid visa, if I tried to enter Qatar with my head (and maybe part of my face) covered do you think Qatar immigration would let me in? Of course they need to check my passport photo against my actual appearance. Please be realistic about such things.

Funny Alexa, I only briefly scanned the other threads but I didn't see the word Islam until you wrote it...

They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin

she had a headscarf on which presumably matched her passport photo. And yes, you would be allowed to enter Qatar with your hair covered -- I see people in jojaab and even cowboy hats enter without any problem. Even a lady in niqaab has access to a ladies verification section ;-))) But this woman was not in niqaab.

A life unexamined is not worth living -- Socrates