Qatar has made many progressive laws regarding protecting workers’ rights, including the newly revised labor law. But there are other laws that still exist in their original, non-revised form, including travel bans. Normally, a person that is found guilty of committing a civil or criminal offense can have a travel ban imposed against them.
If you’re planning to visit Qatar and are wondering if, for some reason, there is a travel ban imposed on you, then there are several steps you can take to find out. The following steps listed below will help check if you have a travel ban in Qatar.
How to Know if You’re Banned from Travelling to Qatar
1. Go to the Qatar government portal website, and login using your smart card.
The Smart Card is similar to the ID card, but you have to activate this card at the Directorate General of Border Passports and Expatriates Affairs. With a smart card, you can perform various personal transactions, including checking for travel ban, visas, residencies, business leave notifications and more.
2. Once in the portal, choose the right transaction type.
If you are a smart card owner, the right transaction type is “personal.” Choose organization name for an authorized individual.
3. Click General Services.
From General Services, choose “Inquire Travel Ban.” From here, there is a page that contains a circular of travel bans. From here, you will check to see if your ID number is in that list. If this is not the case, then you have no travel ban. The system will also show a message stating that there are no circulars for travel ban, if possible.
4. Don’t forget to log out of the service once you are done using it.
So there you have it. These are four easy steps to determine whether you have a travel ban in Qatar or not. Hopefully, you don’t, since you will be missing out on a lot of opportunities to enjoy the country’s scenery, tourist spots, amazing work offers and benefits, and so much more.
If you have a travel ban, then you can apply to lift this ban through this link. You or your legal representative can apply online at the criminal affairs department of the portal’s section on public services. You will be needing to fill up forms and attach documents, and the whole process normally takes three days to complete.
DISCLAIMER: The above details are presented for information-sharing purposes only. For more details about the new service, please visit the Qatar government portal website.