Qatar - Country Information

Film Commissions

General Information

Location: Middle East
Local Time: GMT +3
Capital City: Doha
Population:
Area: square km, square miles.
Language(s): Arabic, English
Dialling Code: 974
Emergency: Police, Fire & Ambulance: 999
Directory Enquiries:
TV Standard:
Driving: Driving is on the left. Temporary Driving Permit required issued at the Traffic & Licence Office on presentation of National licence or International Driving Permit. Applicants are required to pass an oral highway code test and should be accompanied by a person familiar with procedure
Electricity: 240V AC 50Hz

Business & Currency

Currency: Qatari Riyal (QAR 1 = 100 Dirhams)
Notes: QAR: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500
Coins: Dirhams: 25, 50

Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted

Opening Hours
Bank: 0730-1330 Sun-Thur
Office: 0700-1400 Sun-Thur (Government Offices)
Shops: 0800-2200 Sat-Thur, 1600-2200 Fri

Public Holidays
2008
Jan 10 Islamic New Year, Sep 3 Independence Day, Oct 2 Emd of Ramadam, Dec 9 Feast of the Sacrifice, Dec 29 Islamic Year Year
* Dates may vary according to the lunar calendar

Business/Social Hints: Most business executives speak English. Business cards to have Arabic translation on reverse side. Muslim conventions apply. At meetings it is polite to drink coffee when offered. It is the convention to use the right and not the left hand when shaking hands and passing or receiving anything. Muslim prayers are held 5 times per day. Smoking is generally accepted. When sitting cross-legged on sofas or cushions, soles of the feet should be facing the floor and not shown. Alcohol is permited within hotel premises

Tipping: When there is no service charge, tips around 10% are appreciated. Tips are not customary for taxis

Health

Reciprocal health:

Compulsory vaccinations: None.

Recommended immunisations: Diphtheria*, hepatitis A, hepatitis B*, polio, TB*, tetanus, typhoid
* recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: Rabies is confined to border areas.

Airports

Passport & Visa

The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate

Passports

Required by all

Passport Validity: Please contact nearest embassy/consulate

Passport Notes:

Visas

The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Qatar
2) Nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia & United Arab Emirates
3) Returning alien residents holding a valid residence permit (except persons who have been abroad for over 6 months in which case the residence permit is automatically cancelled)

Notes: Visas can be issued on arrival valid for 21 days to:
a) Holders of British passports endorsed "British Citizen"
b) Nationals of Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland Rep, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States & Vatican City
Extension of a further 7 days is possible for a fee of QAR 100

Air Transit

Required by all except those as noted above and:
1) Persons continuing their journey to another country by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours
2) Nationals of China & Tanzania

Exit Permits

Special Notes

1) Visitors must hold return/outward ticket (except for holders of 10 year multiple entry visas) all documents required for their next destination and sufficient funds to cover their stay
2) If holding tourist visa, visitors must also hold proof of confirmed hotel reservation and at least USD 1,400 or any major credit cards

Climate

Hot with no rain between Jun-Oct but humid on the coast. The rest of the year is pleasantly mild/warm and sunny with occasional showery rain during Dec-Mar

Clothing

Lightweights with warmer clothing for cooler evenings and winter months. Light rainwear also recommended for winter period

Charts for Doha

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Max Temp (C) 23 29 32 37 40 40 40 42 40 36 33 28 Min Temp (C) 15 11 12 16 21 24 29 26 23 21 17 12 Humidity am (%) 78 77 75 71 67 67 68 70 70 68 75 81 Humidity pm (%) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Rainfall (mm) 0 25 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 25

Temperature (C) Rainfall (mm) Humidity (%)

Representative

UK Tourist Office
Qatar Tourism Board
Kennedy House, 115 Hammersmith Road
London, W14 0QH
tel: +44 20 7371 1571
fax: +44 20 7603 2424
website: www.discoverqatar.com

Embassy
Embassy of Qatar
1 South Audley Street
London, W1K 1NB
tel: +44 20 7493 2200
fax: +44 20 4932 6611
hours: 0930-1600 (Mon-Fri) lodging, 1530-1600 (Mon-Fri) collection