From: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Subject: DOSTRAVEL Qatar Consular Information Sheet 06/08/99 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 20:24:57 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Reply-To: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:2248 Path: world!bzs Sender: US Dept of State Travel Warnings Message-ID: <199906102026.PAA38574@piglet.cc.uic.edu> Approved: usenet@world.std.com Distribution: wstd Comments: To: dostravel@uic.edu Lines: 175 Qatar - Consular Information Sheet June 8, 1999 COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Qatar, a Traditional Emirate, is a modern, developed country, and tourist facilities are widely available. Islamic ideals and beliefs provide the conservative foundation of the country's customs, laws, and practices. Qatar is not a signatory to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations nor to any other bilateral or multilateral consular accord. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Passports and visas are required. For further information, travelers may contact the Embassy of the State of Qatar, 4200 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 200, Washington, D.C. 20016, telephone (202) 274-1600, fax (202) 237-0053, or the Consulate General of the State of Qatar, 4265 San Felipe Street, Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77027, telephone (713) 968-9840, fax (713) 968-9841. DUAL NATIONALITY: Qatari law does not recognize dual nationality. Persons who possess Qatari citizenship in addition to U.S. citizenship are considered Qatari citizens by the State of Qatar and are subject to Qatar9s laws. Qatari citizenship imposes special obligations, particularly with regard to child custody and exiting or entering the country. For additional information, see the consular affairs home page on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov for our dual nationality flyer or contact the U.S. Embassy in Doha. CRIME INFORMATION: Crime is generally not a problem for travelers in Qatar. The loss or theft of an U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State9s pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad" for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov. MEDICAL FACILITIES: Basic modern medical care and medicines are available in the government-run Hamad General Hospital in Qatar. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars or more. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payments for health services, and U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. MEDICAL INSURANCE: Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State9s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure 3Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad,2 available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000. OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Hotline for International Travelers at 1-877-fyi-trip (1- 877-394-8747); fax 1-888-cdc-faxx (1-888-232-3299), or via their Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov. TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Qatar is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Safety of public transportation: good Urban road conditions/maintenance: good Rural road conditions/maintenance: good Availability of roadside assistance: poor Travel by road in Qatar is generally safe, although safety regulations in Qatar are not consistent with U.S. standards. Roads in Doha and Qatar's highway system are well planned and engineered. Informal rules of the road and local customs, however, may prove frustrating for first- time visitors. The rate of automobile accidents due to driver error is higher than in the United States. In rural areas, poor lighting, wandering camels and horses, and high-speed driving are other areas of concern. For specific information concerning Qatari driver9s permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact either the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, D.C. Or the Consulate General of the State of Qatar in Houston, TX. AVIATION OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial service by local carriers at present between the united states and qatar, nor economic authority to operate such service, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Qatar9s civil aviation authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Qatar9s air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at (703) 697-7288. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Qatari customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning importation into Qatar of items such as alcohol, drugs, pork products, firearms, or anything deemed pornographic by Qatari authorities. While importation of religious material for personal use is acceptable, importation of religious material for the purpose of proselytizing is not. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, D.C., Or the Consulate General of the State of Qatar in Houston for specific information regarding customs requirements. CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country9s laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Qatari laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Qatar are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Penalties for drunk driving and other alcohol-related offenses are treated with severity in Qatar and may result in heavy fines, imprisonment, or expulsion from the country. CONSULAR ACCESS: U.S. citizens, particularly those of Arab descent, are encouraged to carry a copy of their U.S. passports with them at all times, so that, if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S. citizenship are readily available. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Qatari employers/sponsors have customarily held on to the passports of their foreign (i.e., non-Qatari) employees during the term of their employment in Qatar. Foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, may not leave Qatar without the permission of their employer/sponsor. Y2K INFORMATION: U.S. citizens contemplating traveling or residing abroad in late 1999 or early 2000 should be aware of potential difficulties. They may wish to consider taking practical precautions against possible disruptions of services triggered by the Y2K computer phenomenon. Monitor the home page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs at: http://travel.state.gov/y2kca.html for updates on Y2K issues. CHILDREN9S ISSUES: For information on international adoption, international parental child abduction, and international child support enforcement issues, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children9s issues.html or telephone (202) 736- 7000. Qatar is not a party to any international or bilateral treaty regarding international child abduction, adoption or child support enforcement issues. REGISTRATION AND EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens living in or visiting Qatar are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Doha and obtain updated information on travel and security within Qatar. The U.S. Embassy is located at the Al-Luqta District on 22nd February Street, P.O. Box 2399, Doha, fax (974) 861-669. For after-hours emergencies, American citizens may contact the duty officer at (974) 5-531-085. On the Internet, you may reach the Embassy website at http://qatar.net.qa/usisdoha. The workweek in Qatar and for the Embassy is Saturday through Wednesday. Note: phone numbers for the new Embassy location in Doha were not available at the time this was published. End note. ***** This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated May 18, 1998 to provide additional sections on Dual Nationality, Medical Insurance, Other Health Information, Customs Regulations, Criminal Penalties, Consular Access, Special Circumstances, Y2K Information and Children9s Issues, and to update or add information in the following sections: Entry Requirements, Crime Information, Medical Facilities, Traffic and Road Conditions and Registration and Embassy Locations.