The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has updated rules for Indian citizens looking to avail of Qatar's visa-free entry facility, introducing a set of new conditions.
These include non-extension of the visa beyond 30 days and mandatory possession of a credit card, according to information available on the MoI's website (https://portal.moi.gov.qa/qatarvisas/visadetails.html?ctr=77&res=77).
The new rules come into effect on November 11.
Under the new system, Indian nationals can obtain an on-arrival tourist visa for a period of up to 30 days, which cannot be extended, provided they meet certain terms and conditions.
One of the new conditions is that the applicant must possess a valid credit card. It is now mandatory to present a valid credit card in the name of the traveller or the 'paterfamilias' (male head of the family), the MoI states.
Also, the person concerned should have a confirmed hotel reservation along with a confirmed return ticket, while the passport must be valid for at least six months from the arrival date.
"The duration of the visa cannot be extended beyond 30 days," the Mol adds.
Under the old system, an Indian citizen could get his/her on-arrival visa extended by a month for a total of 60 days. Also, no credit card was required to obtain the visa.