Fact sheet

Qatar is the most open country in the Middle East and the 8^th  most open in the world in terms of visa facilitation.

UNWTO Visa Openness Rankings

Qatar is home to Al Zubarah Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Arabian horse, Marwan Al Shaqab, was foaled in Doha. He holds dozens of international titles and is sire of numerous world champions. 

Attitudes towards dressing in Qatar are relaxed, but visitors (men as well as women) are expected to show respect for local culture by avoiding excessively revealing clothes in public. It is generally recommended for men and women to ensure their shoulders and knees are covered.

This is widely excpected at Souq Waqif and other traditional markets.

Qatar ranks second in the Arab world, according to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report 2019. 

The national carrier, Qatar Airways, connects Doha to more than 160 destinations across six continents.

Hamad International Airport retains its title as ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’, and has also been awarded ‘Third Best Airport in the World’

Skytrax World Airport Awards 2020 

The Qatari Riyal is the only currecncy used in the country and can be obtained through ATM's which are widely available in malls, hotels and around Doha. The Qatari Riyal (QR) is pegged against the US Dollar at QAR 3.64.

When bringing local currency (Qatar Riyal-QAR) and all other foreign currencies amounts equal or higher than QAR 50,000 must be declared on arrival. This includes jewelry, precious metals or stones valued at QAR 50,000 or higher. 

To read about customs regulations in Qatar and other related information, click here.

The Accessible Qatar smartphone app provides information about accessibility and facilities at different public and touristic venues across the country. Oredoo Qatar has partnered with Wheel the World to offer accessible tourist experiences to differently abled visitors.

In case of emergency, following specialized services are accessible for the deaf:

Call 992 using the 3G camera on your computer or cell phone;

Send an SMS to 992 clearly stating your problem and what service you need (ambulance, fire rescue, police), as well as your name, address, and any details;

Send an e-mail to 992@moi.gov.qa (it may take some time before you receive a response)

The World Health Organisation estimates that 99% of Qatar has access to drinkable tap water. However , bottled water is widely consumed in Qatar with plenty of local and imported brands widely available.

Qatar Foundation’s Education City is home to seven world-renowned higher education institutes, including Carnegie Mellon, Georgetown, and Northwestern, demonstrating the importance the country places on education and knowledge as a foundation for a sustainable modern society. 

The standard voltage is 240 V at the 50 Hz. Plug points are the same as in teh Uk. To use electric appliances made for the range of 100 V - 127 V (as is in the US, Canada and most South American countries), one needs a voltage converter or a combined power pluga dapter/voltage converter.

Qatar has the second highest GDP per capita ($124,900) in the world.

CIA World Factbook 2017

Qatar’s hospitality sector tops its peers in the Middle East destinations in terms of guest experience.

Olery Guest Experience in the Middle East 2019 Report

Qatar is a regional pioneer in delivering cutting-edge mobile technology; it is the world’s first country to introduce a commercial 5G network.

The Al Jazeera Media Network is headquartered in Doha and has 80 offices around the world. The world-renowned Medill School of Journalism has its only international branch in Doha.

Qatar has a track-record of successfully hosting large-scale international conferences and events, including the 6th World Congress of the World Federation of Associations of Paediatric Surgeons (WOFAPS) in 2019.

Qatar has also won bids to host the All Together Better Health Conference (ATBH) in 2021, and Les Clefs d’Or International Congress (The Association for Luxury Hotel Concierges) in 2022

Qatar is home to scientific research hubs specifically in the fields of biomedical, computing and environmental research.

Qatar has been ranked the safest country in the world by the 2020 Numbeo Crime Index – a spot it has held since 2017

Qatar is the first Middle Eastern country to host the 17^th World Championships in Athletics in 2019; World Beach Games in 2019 & FIFA World Cup in 2022.

Qatar has introduced several measures to facilitate foreign investment, including custom and income tax exemptions as well as allowing the unimpeded transfer of investment revenues or returns in any currency.