IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Qatari government has set the deadline for companies to complete the Unified Economic Register.

Key Points:

  • All companies in Qatar must provide their “ultimate beneficial owner,” or UBO, registration by Dec. 31, 2022.
  • Companies must complete UBO registration through this website and include the UBO’s:
    • Full name as indicated in official identification documents.
    • Date and place of birth.
    • Nationality.
    • Address.
    • Passport or identification card expiration date.
    • Date they became a UBO.
    • Their shareholding percentage.
  • Companies that fail to register by Dec. 31, 2022, may face administrative fines or other penalties.

BAL Analysis: The Qatari government requires companies to compete UBO registration to help prevent fraudulent activity. Companies are reminded that UBO registration is mandatory for all businesses operating in Qatar.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Qatari government recently updated its entry regulations during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Key Points:

  • Foreign national visitors will not be allowed to enter Qatar from Nov. 1 to Dec. 23 unless they hold a Hayya Card or:
    • Are a Qatari national or national of a Gulf Cooperation Council country and hold a valid Qatari ID card.
    • Hold a valid personal recruitment visa or work permit.
    • Are traveling for approved humanitarian purposes.
  • Foreign national visitors who entered Qatar before Nov. 1 on a visit visa and plan to attend the World Cup can convert their visit visa to a Fan Visa after applying for a Hayya Card.
  • Beginning Dec. 2, foreign nationals who do not hold World Cup tickets can enter Qatar if they hold a Hayya Card.
  • To apply for the Hayya Card, foreign nationals can download the Hayya to Qatar 2022 mobile application or visit this website.

Additional Information: Neighboring countries, including Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have implemented temporary World Cup entry policies. More information regarding the Hayya Card is available here.

BAL Analysis: Travelers are reminded that the Hayya Card will serve as a valid visa to enter Qatar from Nov. 1, 2022, to Jan. 1, 2023. Foreign nationals attending the World Cup are encouraged to apply for the card as soon as possible to avoid possible delays.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Qatari government recently announced that it will ease COVID-19 entry requirements in November.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Nov. 1, travelers, regardless of departure country or vaccination status, will no longer be required to quarantine upon arrival.
  • Qatari nationals and residents will no longer be required to take a COVID-19 test after arrival. Visitors continue to not have to take a COVID-19 test after arrival.
  • Visitors will no longer be required to preregister through the Ehteraz app before arrival or have proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken before departure.
  • Travelers must download and activate the Ehteraz app on their mobile phones to enter any public or private healthcare facilities in Qatar.

BAL Analysis: The Qatari government is lifting COVID-19 entry restrictions as the country prepares to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in November. Visitors are reminded that in order to enter Qatar during the World Cup, they must hold a Hayya Card. The card will serve as a valid visa to enter Qatar from Nov. 1, 2022, to Jan. 1, 2023. Foreign nationals attending the World Cup are encouraged to apply for the card as soon as possible to avoid possible delays. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

Foreign nationals traveling to Qatar on or after Nov. 1 for the 2022 FIFA World Cup are reminded that they must have a Hayya Card to enter the country.

Key Points:

  • Foreign national visitors will not be allowed to enter Qatar from Nov. 1 to Dec. 23 unless they hold a Hayya Card or:
    • Are a national of a Gulf Cooperation Council country and hold a valid Qatari ID card.
    • Hold a valid personal recruitment visa or work permit.
    • Are traveling for approved humanitarian purposes.
  • To apply for the Hayya Card, foreign nationals can download the Hayya to Qatar 2022 mobile application or visit this website. They must submit:
    • Personal information, including passport and biographical information.
    • Proof of tickets to the World Cup matches they will attend.
    • Proof of their hotel booking.
  • Hayya cardholders will be able to stay in Qatar until Jan. 23, 2023.
  • Qatari authorities will generally process Hayya Card applications within three to four days from when they are submitted.
  • Immigration service delays should be expected during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Additional Information: Neighboring countries, including Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have also implemented temporary World Cup entry policies. More information regarding the Hayya Card is available here.

BAL Analysis: Travelers are reminded that the Hayya Card will serve as a valid visa to enter Qatar from Nov. 1, 2022, to Jan. 1, 2023. Foreign nationals attending the World Cup are encouraged to apply for the card as soon as possible to avoid possible delays.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Qatari government has provided additional information for those traveling to Qatar during the 2022 World Cup.

Key Points:

  • Foreign national visitors will not be allowed to enter Qatar from Nov. 1 to Dec. 23 unless they hold a Hayya Card or:
    • Are Qatari nationals or nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and hold a valid Qatari ID card.
    • Hold a valid personal recruitment visa or work permit.
    • Are traveling for approved humanitarian purposes.
  • To apply for the Hayya Card, foreign nationals can download the Hayya to Qatar 2022 mobile application or visit this website and must submit:
    • Their personal information, including passport and biographical information.
    • Proof of tickets to the World Cup matches they will be attending.
    • Proof of their hotel booking.
  • Hayya cardholders will be able to stay in Qatar until Jan. 23, 2023. More information regarding the Hayya Card is available here.

Additional Information: Immigration service delays should be expected during the 2022 World Cup. Those with visas that are set to expire in November and December should submit renewal applications before the World Cup begins. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have also implemented temporary World Cup entrypolicies.

BAL Analysis: The Hayya Card will serve as a valid visa to enter the country to attend the 2022 World Cup from Nov. 1, 2022, to Jan. 1, 2023. Most visitors who do not hold a Hayya Card will not be permitted to enter Qatar; however foreign nationals who hold a valid work permit, among a limited number of others, will still be allowed to enter the country. Foreign nationals attending the World Cup are encouraged to apply for the card as soon as possible to avoid possible delays.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

Visitors to Qatar will be required to obtain a “Hayya Card” to enter the country beginning Nov. 1, Qatari authorities have confirmed.

Key Points:

  • Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18.
  • Beginning Nov. 1, foreign nationals must have a Hayya Card, or special identification card, to enter the country. In order to obtain a Hayya Card, applicants will need to show that they have tickets for a World Cup match and accommodations for their time in Qatar, among other requirements. Visitors can apply for Hayya Cards here.
  • Authorities have not said how long the policy will remain in place; however, they have indicated Hayya Card holders will be able to remain in Qatar until Jan. 23.
  • Qatari citizens and residents will be permitted to enter and leave Qatar as they normally would and will not require a Hayya Card.
  • Authorities will also provide an exception to the policy for visitors entering and leaving Qatar on the same day. More information on this exception is expected soon.

Background: Qatar is expected to welcome more than 1 million visitors for the World Cup. Authorities had previously said that those attending World Cup matches would be required to obtain a Hayy Card. Authorities have now confirmed that this requirement will apply to all visitors beginning Nov. 1.

BAL Analysis: Those planning to visit Qatar for reasons other than attending World Cup matches should do so before November or after the Hayya Card requirement comes to an end.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Qatari government has modified its degree attestation policy for those verifying their education completed outside of the country.

Key Points:

  • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Qatar no longer requires applicants to submit a UVL as a supporting document to an individual’s degree and transcript.
  • Qatari embassies throughout the world are still requesting applicants submit a UVL in support of their degree and transcript.
  • Foreign nationals should to check with their local Qatari embassy for current degree attestation requirements.

BAL Analysis: While MOFA is no longer requiring applicants to submit a UVL, the modified degree attestation policy has yet to be implemented uniformly throughout the world. Applicants are encouraged to check with their local authorities if they are requiring a UVL as a supporting document.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Qatari government has reminded foreign nationals that they will be required to register for a special identification card (“Hayya Card”) to enter the country and stadiums for the 2022 World Cup.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals who are attending the 2022 World Cup must apply for the “Hayya Card” to enter the country.
  • To apply for the Hayya Card, foreign nationals can download the Hayya to Qatar 2022 mobile application or visit this website and must submit:
    • Their personal information, including passport and biographical information.
    • Proof of tickets to the matches they will be attending.
    • Proof of their hotel booking.
  • More information regarding the Hayya Card is available here.

BAL Analysis: The Hayya Card will serve as a valid visa to enter the country to attend the 2022 World Cup from Nov. 1, 2022, to Jan. 1, 2023. Foreign nationals attending the World Cup are encouraged to apply for the card as soon as possible to avoid possible delays.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Qatari government has published a law that will require all foreign nationals to have health insurance to enter the county.

Key Points:

  • Employers will be required to provide health insurance for non-Qatari employees through insurance companies registered with the Ministry of Public Health. The terms and conditions as well as a start date for this requirement have not been provided at this time.
  • Foreign nationals who are visiting Qatar will not be required to purchase health insurance from Qatar if they have proof of a valid international health insurance policy.

BAL Analysis: The new health insurance requirement is intended to alleviate the challenges facing the healthcare sector by incorporating both public and private healthcare providers. BAL will continue to monitor announcements regarding the health insurance requirements and will provide more information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Qatari government has announced that it will change its “Visa on Arrival” requirements for Indian, Iranian and Pakistani nationals.

Key Points:

  • Beginning April 14, to receive a “Visa on Arrival,” individuals who hold Indian, Iranian or Pakistani passports must purchase hotel accommodation from the Discover Qatar website before traveling to Qatar.
  • The visa’s duration will be determined by the duration of the purchased hotel stay from Discover Qatar. Such individuals will be able to stay in Qatar for two to 60 days.
  • Indian, Iranian and Pakistani nationals must meet all other government-mandated “Visa on Arrival” requirements. More information regarding these requirements is available here.

Additional Information: Indian, Iranian and Pakistani nationals will be required to have a hotel booking through Discover Qatar for the duration of their stay even if they are visiting family in the country. More information regarding the Discover Qatar hotel booking is available here.

BAL Analysis: Individuals who hold passports from India, Iran and Pakistan will need to secure a hotel booking through Discover Qatar before traveling to the country to receive a “Visa on Arrival.”

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.