Visa and travel suspensions announced

IMPACT – HIGH

The Qatar government recently announced new visa and travel suspensions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Key points:

• All non-Qatari nationals are banned from entering to Qatar until further notice.
• Beginning March 15, inbound travel from France, Germany, Spain and Sudan has been suspended until further notice.
• New work, business and family visas will no longer be issued beginning March 15 until further notice, for companies under QFC authority.
• The suspension likewise applies to new resident permit applications, for companies under QFC authority.
• Exit permits for government and semi-government employees will be discontinued from March 19.
• The exit permit system (for travel notifications) for government and semi-government employees not subject to the Labor Law, will be discontinued from March 19 for all but 5% of employees as determined by their employers.
• Employees allowed to leave the country on a temporary basis or a final exit, can do so without using an exit permit during their work contract period.
• The new exit policy applies to employees and workers in various professions: the oil and gas sector and its subsidiaries, agriculture and irrigation, private offices, public bodies and ministries, marine vessel employees in Qatar waters, and government agencies and other institutions.
• Five percent of these employees are not covered by this policy and must apply with their employers for a temporary or final exit permit.
• A text message will be sent to those individuals in this group to notify them they must apply through their employers in order to exit the country temporarily or permanently.

Analysis & Comments: The new suspensions on visas and inbound travel will greatly disrupt travel into Qatar. Employers should account for affected travelers and rearrange travel schedules accordingly. Significant delays may occur for consular and in-country processing.

Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.