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Authorities registered 141 camps during th first two hours of registration for the 2026–2027 winter camping season, introducing streamlined procedures to help citizens secure their preferred locations while protecting the environment. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change received applications from senior citizens and people with disabilities at the Land Protection Department in Duhail, where dedicated staff provided assistance and facilitated the registration process. Hamad Salem al-Nuaimi, director of the Land Protection Department and chairman of the ministry’s Winter Camping Committee, said 97 land camps and 44 marine camps were registered between 8am and 10am on the first day. Al-Nuaimi, accompanied by Salim Qadri al-Yami, assistant director of the department and head of the field camping team, supervised the registration process and ensured applicants received the necessary support. Applicants lauded the efficient service and welcoming atmosphere, with several saying they completed their applications within minutes. They also welcomed arrangements for senior citizens, including the waiver of registration fees, while the applicable security deposit remains payable. Al-Nuaimi said the ministry, under the directives of HE the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie, is committed to simplifying procedures and providing suitable camping locations in an organised manner. The central region has been allocated 500 camping sites covering Umm Al Afai, Rawdat Rashid, Rawdat Aisha, the Umm Al Udam Road area, Al Kharaij and Abu Samra. A team of 30 inspectors has been assigned to allocate sites in the region. The ministry transfers applications electronically to inspectors, who contact applicants to confirm locations. When needed, inspectors visit sites to complete the process. If a requested location is unsuitable for environmental or regulatory reasons, applicants are offered the nearest appropriate alternative. The ministry aims to complete allocations in the central region within three days before deploying inspection teams to the south and, subsequently, the north. The northern region, one of Qatar’s busiest camping destinations after Sealine, accommodates approximately 600 camps and includes land sites, marine locations and protected areas. The Department of Nature Reserves will oversee allocations for marine camps and camps within protected areas at Sealine and Al Adaid. Authorities aim to complete all camp allocations by October 25, allowing citizens to begin setting up their camps from that date. Bashir Abdullah, who regularly camps at Rawdat Rashid, said the season offers a chance to escape daily routines and spend quality time with family and friends. Khalid al-Ruwailei highlighted the tradition’s cultural significance, noting that taking children to camps helps introduce them to Qatari customs, including welcoming guests, preparing Arabic coffee and gathering around campfires. Nasser Mohamed Hudaib welcomed the flexibility offered to campers, saying he had changed his usual location in Salwa for a site closer to his home. Ali Saad al-Qahtani also praised the speed of the registration process, while Ayed Hassan al-Qahtani stressed on the importance of family gatherings and enjoying nature responsibly. Meanwhile, the ministry will intensify inspections to protect natural landscapes and vegetation. Al-Nuaimi warned that violations could result in permit cancellation, forfeiture of security deposits, and camp removal, depending on the nature of the offence. Damage to protected green areas may also result in additional enforcement measures. 

The Philippine Embassy in Doha Qatar has announced the full implementation of the Philippine electronic Visa (e-Visa) system in Qatar, effective on October 5, allowing eligible Qatar residents to apply online for temporary visit visas to the Philippines. Under the new system, the embassy said in a post on its social media pages that eligible Qatar residents can submit e-Visa applications through the official Philippine e-Visa website and pay the applicable fees via direct bank transfer, where required. Once approved and issued by the embassy, the e-Visa can be accessed remotely through a computer, laptop or mobile device. Visa holders may present either a digital or printed copy upon travel to the Philippines. The embassy said the e-Visa will no longer be affixed to the applicant’s passport. Applicants are also reminded to complete the Philippines’ online e-Travel registration after their e-Visa has been issued. Applicants must complete the registration within 72 hours before arrival in the Philippines to help avoid difficulties at ports of entry. The Philippines embassy stressed that applicants should not complete the e-Travel registration before their e-Visa is issued. It also clarified that Philippine e-Visas cannot be converted into other visa types and that the authorised period of stay cannot be extended. Foreign nationals planning to travel to the Philippines for purposes such as study, employment or other non-tourism activities are advised to apply for a regular visa sticker through the Philippine embassy in Qatar. The full implementation of the e-Visa system is expected to provide eligible travellers in Qatar with a more convenient and accessible way to obtain Philippine visas for temporary visits. 

The volume of real estate transactions under sales contracts registered with the Real Estate Registration Department at the Ministry of Justice reached QR1,290,916,518 in August, according to data from the Ministry's Real Estate Analytical Bulletin.A total of 424 real estate transactions were recorded during the month, with Doha, Al Rayyan and Al Daayen municipalities recording the highest transaction values, according to the Real Estate Market Index. They were followed by Al Wakrah, Umm Salal, Al Khor and Al Thakhira, Al Shamal and Al Shahaniya.Doha accounted for QR435,501,304 in transactions, followed by Al Rayyan with QR335,501,759 and Al Daayen with QR175,170,269. Al Wakrah recorded QR148,559,213, while Umm Salal registered QR123,981,137. Transactions in Al Khor and Al Thakhira amounted to QR60,473,870, while Al Shamal and Al Shahaniya recorded QR8,321,324 and QR3,407,642, respectively.In terms of traded real estate area, Doha and Al Rayyan each accounted for 28% of the total, followed by Al Wakrah at 16%, Al Daayen at 10%, Umm Salal at 9%, and Al Khor and Al Thakhira at 7%. Al Shamal and Al Shahaniya each accounted for 1%.Doha also recorded the largest share of properties sold during the month, accounting for 30% of the total, followed by Al Rayyan at 21% and Al Wakrah at 19%. Umm Salal and Al Daayen each accounted for 10%, while Al Khor and Al Thakhira accounted for 8%, and Al Shamal and Al Shahaniya for 1% each.Average prices per square foot in August ranged from QR517 to QR892 in Doha, QR253 to QR414 in Al Wakrah, QR357 to QR466 in Al Rayyan, QR353 to QR468 in Umm Salal, QR362 to QR723 in Al Daayen, QR254 to QR457 in Al Khor and Al Thakhira, and QR135 to QR244 in Al Shamal. The average price stood at QR206 per square foot in Al Shahaniya.The data also showed that the 10 highest-value properties sold during the month included four in Doha, three in Al Rayyan and one in Umm Salal.Mortgage transactions totaled 103 in August, with a combined value of QR4,007,423,360.Doha recorded the largest number of mortgage transactions at 35, accounting for 34% of the total, followed by Al Rayyan with 30 transactions, or 29.1%, and Al Daayen with 14 transactions, or 13.6%. Umm Salal recorded 13 transactions, or 12.6%, followed by Al Wakrah with eight, or 7.8%, Al Khor and Al Thakhira with two, or 1.9%, and Al Shamal with one transaction, or 1%.In terms of mortgage value, Doha ranked first with QR3,623,856,638, while Al Khor and Al Thakhira recorded the lowest mortgage value at QR2.3 mn.An analysis of mortgage activity by comparing the share of mortgaged properties with their share of total mortgage value showed that the share of mortgaged properties exceeded their share of mortgage value in all municipalities where mortgage transactions were recorded, except Doha, where the share of mortgage value was higher than its share of transactions.Doha accounted for eight of the 10 highest-value mortgaged properties during the month, while Al Rayyan and Al Daayen accounted for one each.The 10 highest-value mortgage transactions represented 89% of the total value of mortgage transactions recorded during August.A total of 114 residential unit transactions were registered during August, with a combined value of QR184,461,112.The August real estate transaction data indicate continued activity across various investment and commercial segments, supported by recent legislation and decisions related to real estate brokerage, registration and documentation, ownership and usufruct, as well as measures aimed at attracting domestic and foreign capital. The data also underscore the strength and resilience of the Qatari economy and the continued growth of the real estate sector as one of its key components.

A few days remain to complete government school registration and transfer procedures through the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE)’s summer registration centres, as the ministry moves towards the final stage of preparations for the 2026-27 academic year. The summer registration centres, set to conclude their work on August 13, have provided in-person support throughout the school holiday, complementing the ministry’s expanded digital registration system and giving families an additional channel to complete applications, update information and resolve cases requiring direct assistance. The MoEHE said the registration and transfer process for the new academic year began on April 12 through the Maaref Public Services Portal, and will continue until August 13. Registration will reopen from August 25 to October 1 to provide an additional opportunity for eligible applicants. The latest registration cycle has placed particular emphasis on reducing paperwork, improving the accuracy of student and residential data and enabling parents to complete more procedures remotely. A key development has been the introduction of the Parent Profile service on the Maaref portal, allowing parents to review and update essential information, including residential details and the electricity number associated with their home. The service is intended to ensure that student records reflect current information when registration, transfer and automatic promotion procedures are carried out. The ministry has said that accurate residential information is particularly important because school allocation is linked to students’ geographical areas of residence. The data therefore supports the more accurate distribution of students and helps determine the appropriate school when students move automatically to the next educational stage. According to the MoEHE, the automatic transfer process covers students completing kindergarten, Grade 4 in boys’ model schools, Grade 6 and Grade 9. Schools carried out the internal transfer process in February, while parents were notified of the destination schools between March 29-31. The Parent Profile service also enables parents to follow registration and school-transfer requests electronically, reducing the need to visit ministry offices or service centres except where physical attendance is required. Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs Maha Zayed al-Ruwaili described the Parent Profile initiative as more than a technical upgrade, stressing its role in making school-related administrative procedures easier for families. “We believe that the family is our first partner,” she said, adding that the service was designed to “shorten procedures” and give parents greater reassurance in following their children’s educational journey. While digital services have become the principal route for registration, the ministry has maintained physical support for families who require assistance. Four summer centres were designated to handle registration and transfer applications during the holiday period, operating from July 5 through August 13. Their role has been particularly important for cases requiring document verification, clarification or direct intervention. The centres provide an additional layer of support rather than replacing the electronic system, allowing parents to resolve issues that cannot be completed fully online and helping ensure that applications are processed before the start of the academic year. Under the ministry’s 2026-27 registration framework, parents are required to provide documentation establishing the student’s eligibility and, where applicable, proof of actual residence within the geographical area served by the school. Acceptable evidence includes a notarised tenancy contract or an electricity certificate in the guardian’s name. The ministry has also established age requirements based on the child’s age as of December 31, 2026. Children born by the end of 2022 are eligible for kindergarten, those born by the end of 2021 for the preparatory stage, and children born by December 31, 2020 can register for Grade 1. Qatari students and children born in January and February are exempted from the minimum-age requirement for Grades 1-4 under the applicable rules. Parents are required to prepare documents including the identity card, birth certificate and student health file. Additional employment documentation is required for certain categories of resident students. The ministry has also recommended the use of its “Where Is My School?” electronic service to help families identify the school appropriate to their residential location. The ministry’s official public school registration service confirms that eligible categories include children of Qatari men and women and Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) citizens, as well as specified categories of residents, including children of government-sector employees and holders of permanent residency, subject to the applicable admission rules. In the meantime, the ministry has expanded electronic services supporting registration for students with disabilities, while registration procedures differ according to the nature of the student’s needs.

The volume of real estate trading in sale contracts registered with the Real Estate Registration Department at the Ministry of Justice in April 2026 amounted to QR2.062bn.Data from the real estate analytical bulletin issued by the Ministry of Justice revealed that 516 real estate transactions were recorded during the month, with the traded area index rising by 185%.The municipalities of Doha, Al Rayyan, and Al Dhaayen topped the list for the most active transactions in terms of financial value, according to the real estate market index, followed by Umm Salal, Al Wakrah, Al Khor and Al Dhakira, Al Shamal, and Al Sheehaniya.The real estate market index for April 2026 showed that the financial value of transactions in Doha municipality amounted to QR735,181,113.In Al Rayyan, the financial values of transactions was QR512,832,178, while in Al Dhaayen it was QR498,240,645.Transactions in Umm Salal amounted to QR137,169,190, Al Wakrah recorded QR129,913,748, Al Khor and Al Dhakira recorded QR37,103,106, Al Shamal recorded QR8,560,383, while Al Sheehaniya recorded QR3,250,000.In terms of the traded space index, indicators revealed that Al Rayyan, Doha, and Al Dhaayen municipalities were the most active in terms of traded real estate spaces during April 2026: Al Rayyan 41%, followed by Doha 22%, and Al Dhaayen 18%.Al Wakrah recorded 12%, Umm Salal recorded 10%, Al Khor and Al Dhakira recorded 4% and Al Shamal 1%, of the total traded spaces.Concerning the index of the number of real estate transactions (sold properties), trading indices revealed that the most active municipalities during April were Doha with 28%, followed by Al Rayyan with 27%, and Al Dhaayen with%.Al Wakrah recorded traded transactions of 12%, Umm Salal with 10%, while Al Khor and Al Dhakira recorded 4% and Al Shamal 1 percent of the total real estate transactions.An average per square foot prices for April ranged between (516-790) in Doha, (236-495) in Al Wakrah, (371-429) in Al Rayyan, (293-503) in Umm Salal, (406-807) in Al Dhaayen, (293 -367) in Al Khor and Al Dhakira, (148-229) in Al Shamal and 211 in Al Sheehaniya.The trading volume revealed the highest value of 10 properties sold in April were in Al Dhaayen (five) properties, Doha (four) properties and Al Rayyan (one) property.As for the volume of mortgage transactions in April, the number of transactions amounted to 312, with a total value of QR7,624,101,538.Doha recorded the highest number of mortgage transactions with 179 transactions, equivalent to 57.4% of the total number of mortgaged properties, followed by Al Rayyan with 69 transactions, equivalent to 22.1% of the total number of mortgaged properties, and Al Dhaayen with 31 transactions equivalent to 9.9% of the total number of mortgaged properties, then Umm Salal with 14 transactions, equivalent to 4.5%, followed by Al Wakrah with 13 transactions, equivalent to 4.2%, Al Shamal with 3 transactions equivalent to 1%, Al Khor and Al Dhakira with 2 transactions equivalent 0.6% and Al Sheehaniya with one transaction equivalent to 2.3%.As to the value of mortgages, the municipality of Doha came in the lead with a value of QR7,262,926,802, with Al Sheehaniya recording the lowest value of QR1,200,000.As for residential units, their trading movement during April recorded 154 deals with a total value of QR283,858,876.This data confirms the continued strong growth of the Qatari real estate sector in various investment and commercial fields, thanks to the new decisions related to real estate brokerage, real estate registration and documentation, ownership and usufruct, in addition to the laws that attract local and foreign capital, which enhances its position as one of the most important components of the national economy. 

Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) achieved a major milestone by reducing the time required to establish a company in the country to two days.After a meeting chaired by HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal al-Thani to review the performance of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the third quarter, MoCI noted, “The number of active commercial licences rose by 6.79%. Additionally, 4,631 new non-Qatari companies were established.” The meeting reviewed the key achievements of the third quarter and discussed detailed performance indicators across the ministry’s sectors and administrative units.Participants also examined existing challenges and proposed solutions to strengthen the implementation of plans and programmes, improve efficiency, and enhance institutional performance and service quality.The meeting was attended by HE the Undersecretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mohammed bin Hassan al-Malki besides senior officials.MoCI said the Commercial Affairs Sector demonstrated significant progress across its key performance indicators. The number of new commercial registrations increased by 81.5% compared to the same period in 2024, while active main and subsidiary registrations grew by 18.1%.It said the ‘Single Window’ platform added five new electronic services in the third quarter, bringing the total to 13 since the beginning of 2025.It processed 72,500 transactions, 89% of which were submitted electronically, achieving a customer satisfaction rate of 94%.In the Industrial and Business Development Sector, the contribution of manufacturing industries to GDP reached QR13.44bn in the second quarter and QR26.84bn in the first half of 2025.During the third quarter, some 30 factories were evaluated under the Smart Industry Readiness Index.During the same period, the Ministry enhanced collaboration with the private sector to identify and address challenges, resolving 35% of reported issues.As many as 12 PPP projects were studied during the year—three more than in the previous quarter—while four new projects were launched and one awarded in the third quarter.The Consumer Affairs Sector also recorded “positive” results, MoCI said.The number of specialised licences issued increased by 30.87% compared to the third quarter of 2024, with the issuance period reduced to one day.Processing times for pricing requests of goods and services also decreased compared to previous quarters.The number of ration card beneficiaries rose by 2.61%, and the number of fodder distributors increased by 96.9% year-on-year.MoCI reviewed the safety levels and strategic reserves of essential commodities and fodder, and successfully resolved more than 8,000 consumer complaints.At the market monitoring level, MoCI conducted 73,747 inspection campaigns across all administrative units, underscoring its commitment to market regulation and consumer protection.The meeting highlighted several notable achievements, including the entry into force of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between Qatar and Türkiye on August 1, aimed to reinforce mutual trade relations and ease investment restrictions. The Ministry also launched an electronic platform for public-private partnership (PPP) projects and introduced 20 new e-services spanning specialised licensing, market monitoring, competition protection, consumer protection, and combatting commercial fraud.During the third quarter, the Ministry rolled out the Single Window’s ‘Sharikati’ on mobile application, alongside a voluntary review programme for merger and acquisition projects. The Ministry also secured first place and received the Golden Award in the 11th National Cyber Drill.Other key developments included merging the land, sea and air freight activities under a single commercial registration, introducing a temporary commercial licence for service providers in the Sealine area, publishing the updated Industrial Sectors Directory, and issuing a comprehensive guide on trade name procedures.MoCI also organised the Public–Private Dialogue Forum, strengthened its strategic partnership with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and exempted certain categories of citizens from fees for the issuance or replacement of ration cards.HE Sheikh Faisal emphasised the importance of maintaining a results-driven, efficiency-based approach, advancing digital transformation, and continuously improving services to enhance the competitiveness of national economy in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) has officially unveiled the Winter Camping Season 2025-2026, scheduled to run from Oct. 15, 2025 to April 15, 2026. Registration for the highly anticipated event will begin on October 1 and runs through October 14, available via the ministry's official website and the "Be'ah" mobile application.It will reopen from October 15 to November 15 for areas where spots will remain available. The announcement was made during a press conference attended by key ministry officials and stakeholders, who gave an overview of the latest updates on regulations and environmental guidelines for this year's season.The conference also highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure a safe and sustainable camping experience for all participants. MoECC's Public Relations Director, Dr. Farhoud Hadi Al Hajri emphasized the importance of the camp as a platform for fostering community engagement with Qatar's environment and promoting environmental awareness.He noted that the previous season saw a total of 2,860 camps, including 1,315 land camps, 433 sea camps, and 1,112 located within protected nature reserves. Meanwhile, the Director of the Wildlife Protection Department, Hamad Salem Al Nuaimi, said the three-phase registration process is based on geographic location as follows:October 1–4: Central region (including Umm Al-Atham, Rawdat Rashid, Rawdat Aisha, South Khuraij, Abu Samra, and Zekreet Coastal Reserve) October 5–8: Southern region (including Seline Reserve on October 5, and areas like Al-Nuqyan, Al-Kharara, Makinis, Seline, and Khor Al-Addid from October 6–8) October 9–14: Northern region, covering all available sites.Al Nuaimi further outlined key regulations for campers, including requirements for applicants to be Qatari nationals aged 25 or older. Applicants must also pay registration fees and insurance through the ministry's electronic system, maintain cleanliness, and avoid causing harm to the environment.He added that any violations will result in fines and potential revocation of permits. Insurance for unconfirmed camps will not be refunded after 30 days, and any reservation not confirmed within this period will automatically be canceled.The camping permit is personal and cannot be transferred or subleased. Assistant Head of the Environmental Security Department at the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), Lt. Colonel Engineer Mohammed Ibrahim Al Nuaimi underscored the importance of campers adhering to environmental regulations to ensure a safe and eco-friendly season.In alignment with Qatar's commitment to environmental sustainability, MoECC's Director of Planning and Quality Department, Aisha Al Baker, announced the launch of the Sustainable Environmental Camping Award 2025-2026. The award recognizes five camps that demonstrate exemplary environmental practices, such as resource conservation, biodiversity protection, and the promotion of recycling.