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Qatar Expands Visa on Arrival Program

February 24, 2011—Authorities in Qatar have broadened the Visa on Arrival program for holders of residence permits from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, or the United Arab Emirates), adding thirteen job titles to the list of occupations that qualify for the program. While the revised list has not been officially released, an unofficial English translation made public includes the job titles auditor, general manager, general CEO, investor, partner, banking manager, marketing executive, sales executive, special needs tutor, general specialist, general counselor, programs designer, and aircraft mechanic.

To qualify for a Visa on Arrival, an expatriate must hold a residence permit from a GCC country and must work in a job title designated on a list published by the Qatar Ministry of Interior. While an English translation of the original list is available, Qatari officials rely exclusively on the original Arabic list and will interpret it strictly. If an expatriate’s proposed job title in Qatar is not exactly the same as an entry on the Arabic list, he or she may be denied entry.

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