Key Points
- Travelers entering Qatar for the World Cup in the Fall of 2022 will need to apply for an identification card that will serve as an entry visa and allow the holder to travel around Qatar
Overview
The government of Qatar will require all foreign nationals traveling to the country for the World Cup to apply for a Hayya Card. The Hayya Card is an identification card that will also serve as an entry visa for foreign nationals who have obtained tickets for the World Cup. The card will be available in a digital format, and applications can be submitted through the government of Qatar’s website. All foreign nationals, including nationals and residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, will need to obtain a card to enter the country for the World Cup.
To obtain the card, applicants will need to provide proof of the following:
- Match ticket details
- Personal information, including uploading a photo of a valid passport, date of birth, and nationality
Once submitted, applicants will receive information regarding the status of the application. If approved, applicants will be able to obtain their digital Hayya Card through the Hayya application.
The Hayya Card will be valid for international visitors from November 1, 2022, to January 1, 2023.
Travelers must adhere to Qatar’s COVID-19 entry health measures, including providing proof of vaccination, certificate of recovery (if applicable), and a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours of departure. For additional information on COVID-19 measures for entering Qatar, check here. European Union citizens and GCC nationals may be subject to different entrance requirements.
The government of Qatar is currently experiencing processing delays for immigration authorization types, including tourism, business, and family visa applications. The Ministry of Labor may stop processing all visa types beginning in August 2022 to reduce processing delays and backlogs. For further information regarding travel to Qatar, check here.
What are the Changes?
Foreign national travelers seeking entrance into Qatar for the World Cup will need to ensure that they have applied for and received a Hayya identification card. This card will serve as an entry visa and allow the traveler to transit throughout Qatar.
Looking Ahead
Further processing delays and backlogs in immigration documents are expected leading up to the World Cup event. The World Cup is scheduled to take place in Qatar from November 21, 2022, to December 18, 2022. Continue to check the government of Qatar’s website for the latest updates and information.
Written by: Jessie Butchley, Global Immigration Writer, Envoy Global
Source: Government of Qatar, eGovernment
