The Consular Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a number of guidelines and advice to Qatari nationals who wish to travel abroad during Eid holidays.

The Department stressed the need to ensure validity of passports and identity cards in case of travel (not less than 6 months), obtaining visas and entry visas from countries requiring prior visas, compliance with host country regulations and laws, and compliance with travel requirements and international aviation regulations and non-carrying of prohibited materials, according to Gulf Times.

The Consular Affairs Department has advised people not to purchase air tickets from airlines of the siege countries via the internet, and to keep official documents of passports, air tickets and valuables in safe places, and not to pledge a passport or ID card to any party in any way, according to The Peninsula.

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

It also urged the citizens not to carry gold jewellery and valuables during travel, not to mix or deal with nationals of some countries that have opposing positions to Qatar, and to pay attention to children in gatherings and markets.

The Department stressed that security services of the host country should not be allowed to inspect the place of residence without inspection permission from the competent authority, and stressed the need to ensure the official status of persons ‘requesting you to show your personal identity’ and to keep the numbers of Qatar Embassy in the host country for reference when necessary.

The Department noted that the passport number and personal identification number should be kept in mind when contacting the mission in the event of any loss, and not to carry large sums of money during travel with the head of the family (distribute among accompanying family members), and stressed the need to keep the money exchange receipt.

When arriving at the airport of the country of destination, Qatari passengers must inform the customs officer of the cash he or she has (if it exceeds €10,000 or $10,000) before any checking in order to avoid confiscating of the surplus amount of money and indiction.

The Department called for moving away from gatherings and suspicious places, and not to approach or deal with strange objects or person and not to wear face cover such as niqab in countries that prohibit it, warning that in the event of any problem, head directly to inform the nearest embassy or consulate of Qatar and notify officials of the problem.

The Department explained that in case of any investigation about the Qatari traveler, he/she must immediately inform the State Mission, communicate with the embassy to receive advice in the event of a terrorist act and confirm registration on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before traveling.

The Department of Consular Affairs advised Qatari traveler to the United States to ensure that all legal issues related to him in the United States of America are terminated, such as paying traffic violations and attending US courts, and making sure that his electronic devices are free of any subjects that are contrary to US laws or suspected of being held accountable by the US authorities.

In the case of traveling companions (servants, nannies or driver), the 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 eight hours per day, as well as the holidays and weekends.

The Department also advised to open a bank account for the server to transfer its receivables or in case of paying in cash; proof of receipt must be taken. The sponsor must also secure adequate housing, and in case of escape, the citizen must inform the nearest Qatari diplomatic mission.

The Department urged everyone to refer to 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 on arrival.

The Department highlighted communicating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the following phone numbers from inside and outside Qatar: 401111-40111000-40111104 for clarifications.