Qatar will allow visa-free entry for citizens of 80 countries, with immediate effect, Qatari officials announced Wednesday at a press conference.
"The visa exemption scheme will make Qatar the most open country in the region," said Hassan al-Ibrahim, chief Tourism Development officer at Qatar Tourism Authority at the press conference.
Citizens of those countries, including China, the United States, India, South Africa and so on, will get a multi-entry waiver at the port of entry, upon presentation of a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months and a confirmed onward or return ticket.
Depending on the nationality, the waiver will either be valid for 180 days and allow the visitor to stay for 90 days; or it will be valid for 30 days and entitle the visitor to spend up to 30 days in Qatar, with a possible 30-day extension, Qatar news agency (QNA) reported.
Saudi Arabia, along with Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates severed diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5 and cut off all transport links, accusing it of supporting terrorism and extremism, which Doha has denied.
