What are the different types of passports issued by Qatar?

Most people will recognise Qatar’s familiar maroon passport, but it is not the only passport issued by the State of Qatar.

Under Qatar’s passport law, there are four official passport categories: Ordinary, Diplomatic, Special and Mission passports. Each serves a different purpose, and eligibility depends on the holder’s nationality, position or official assignment.

Here’s what each type means and who can receive one.

1. Ordinary Passport

The Ordinary Passport is the standard passport issued to Qatari nationals for regular international travel.

Article 5 of Qatar’s Passport Law states that passports are issued to those who hold Qatari nationality. It also makes an important legal distinction: possession of a Qatari passport on its own is not considered proof that someone acquired Qatari nationality.

The ordinary Qatari passport is the familiar burgundy or maroon-coloured passport. The Council of the European Union’s PRADO document database identifies Qatar’s ordinary passport as a national passport issued to Qatari nationals and records the cover colour as burgundy.

Who is eligible?

Qatari nationals.

Used for: Regular international travel.

2. Diplomatic Passport

Qatar’s Diplomatic Passport is reserved for specific senior officials, diplomats and other categories set out under the law.

Following amendments introduced in 2019, eligible categories include:

• The Amir
• The Crown Prince
• The Deputy Amir
• The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, and equivalent ranks
• The Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council
• The President of the Supreme Judiciary Council
• Serving ministers and Ministers of State
• Serving Shura Council members
• Serving ministry undersecretaries and equivalent ranks
• Members of Qatar’s diplomatic and consular corps
• Qataris assigned to represent the country at principal United Nations bodies or specialised agencies
• Technical attachés at Qatari diplomatic missions abroad
• Diplomatic couriers

Certain Qatari spouses and children of eligible holders may also qualify under conditions specified by law.

The law also allows a diplomatic passport to be granted to other individuals with the required approval.

Qatar’s diplomatic passport is documented by the EU’s PRADO database with a green cover.

Who is eligible?

Specified senior state officials, serving ministers and Shura Council members, diplomats, consular officers, certain official representatives abroad and eligible family members.

Used for: Official diplomatic and state duties.

3. Special Passport

A Special Passport is a separate category from a diplomatic passport, even though both have been documented with green covers.

Under the current provisions of Article 8, Special Passports may be issued to:

• Members of the ruling family
• Former ministers, Ministers of State and former officials of equivalent rank
• Former Shura Council members
• Former ministry undersecretaries and equivalent-ranking officials
• Former ambassadors, provided they were not removed through disciplinary action
• Administrative employees attached to Qatari diplomatic and consular missions, Qatar’s missions to international and Arab organisations, and Qatar’s offices at the United Nations while they are posted abroad
• Eligible spouses and children of the categories specified under the law

The Amir may also approve a Special Passport for individuals who do not fall within the categories specifically listed in Article 8.

Who is eligible?

Members of the ruling family, certain former senior officials and ambassadors, specific administrative personnel serving abroad and eligible family members.

Used for: Travel by specific groups entitled to Special Passport status under Qatari law.

4. Mission Passport

The fourth category listed under Qatar’s Passport Law is the Mission Passport.

Unlike the previous categories, eligibility is closely linked to a particular official assignment.

Article 9 states that Mission Passports may be granted to individuals who are:

• Sent on an official mission
• Representing Qatar at conferences
• Representing Qatar at meetings of international or Arab organisations
• Representing the country at exhibitions

Issuance is made pursuant to an Amiri decision or a decision of the Council of Ministers.

Who is eligible?

Qataris officially assigned to certain state missions or chosen to represent Qatar internationally.

Used for: Specific official state assignments.

Is it called a Mission Passport or a Service Passport?

This is where some confusion can arise.

Qatar’s own legislation clearly lists “Mission Passport” as one of the country’s four official passport categories. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also states that its Department of Protocol is responsible for issuing and renewing the country’s diplomatic, special/private and mission passports.

However, the Council of the European Union’s PRADO database also records a Qatari document titled “Service Passport”, first issued in 2006. PRADO classifies both Qatar’s Service Passport and Special Passport under its wider “service / official / special” document category.

For Qatar-specific legal terminology, therefore, Mission Passport is the appropriate term to use when referring to the fourth passport category under Qatar’s Passport Law.

It is also worth avoiding the assumption that the blue Service Passport recorded by PRADO automatically represents the Mission Passport mentioned in Qatar’s legislation, as the official Qatari sources reviewed do not explicitly make that connection.

Who issues Qatar’s different passports?

Responsibility is divided between two ministries.

According to Article 10 of the Passport Law:

• The Ministry of Interior issues and renews Ordinary Passports, along with other travel documents.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues and renews Diplomatic, Special and Mission Passports.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs separately confirms that its Department of Protocol handles the issuance and renewal of Qatar’s diplomatic, special/private and mission passports.

Qatar’s four passport types at a glance

Ordinary Passport - For Qatari nationals travelling normally.

Diplomatic Passport - For specified senior officials, diplomats and other eligible groups.

Special Passport - For members of specified groups including members of the ruling family, certain former senior officials and eligible personnel serving abroad.

Mission Passport - For people assigned to specific official missions or representing Qatar internationally.

So while Qatar’s maroon passport is the one most people are familiar with, the country’s passport system includes several other categories designed around official roles, diplomatic responsibilities and state assignments.

Sources: Qatar Legal Portal – Al Meezan, Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Council of the European Union PRADO document database.

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