The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has made all arrangements to receive the World Cup fans at Abu Samra border where up to 4,000 travelers could be received per hour.
Addressing a press conference Sunday, Col Dr Jabor Hamoud al-Nuaimi, official spokesman for the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and the World Cup Tournament Security Force, said Abu Samra is ready to receive visitors from November 1 until the end of the tournament. He added facilities here have been improved while increasing the number of immigration counters and setting up elaborate parking facilities that can be used free for 24 hours.
Col Jassim al-Bohashem al-Sayed, executive director of the Office of the Commander of FIFA Cup Tournament 2022 Security Operations, was also present.
“The Ministry has taken several measures as part of its preparation to receive the public at the Abu Samra border checkpoint while increasing the number of passport counters at the checkpoint to serve visitors to the country, including fans, citizens, residents and others and allocating a comfortable tent ready to receive more than 4,000 people per hour,” he said.
“We have set up convenient and free transportation from the checkpoint to Al-Messila in central Doha and to the Family and Friends Meet and Greet Area in Al Qalayel, 2 km away from the border. The fans can contact their friends or family members to take them to their accommodation inside the country, or they can move by private taxi from therein,” he added.
The measures specified for the entry of World Cup fans through the land border will start from 1 November 2022 until 23 December 2022. “Those who enter Qatar must use the passport registered with the Hayya card. The entry procedures to be followed at the border checkpoint have been divided into different categories,” he said.
The first category is citizens, residents and GCC nationals who hold a Qatari ID card (cars with Qatari number plates). Their entry shall be as regular as is the case in normal circumstances. The vehicle carrying them shall have a Qatari number plate. A Hayya card is not compulsory.
The second category is fans with an exceptional entry permit. These are the fans who wish to enter with their own vehicles, and their entry is required to have a vehicle entry permit approved through the Hayya platform. To obtain it, there should be a confirmed accommodation approved through the Hayya platform for a minimum of 5 nights (for the driver only) and they should submit a vehicle entry permit application through the official Hayya platform. If approved, an email with a link to obtain the vehicle insurance electronically will be sent. Upon completion of the insurance, the applicant must follow up on the platform within 24 hours to obtain the permit by paying a non-refundable fee of QR 5,000. There should be a minimum of three people in the vehicle and the number of passengers shall not exceed a maximum of six people, while all of them should carry a Hayya card. The vehicle entry permit can be used only once (not for multiple visits). No driving will be allowed in the restricted areas announced in advance in the press conference on transport regulations in some areas and roads during the tournament.
The third category is one-day fan. Those coming through the Abu Samra land border to attend one or more matches within 24 hours only can enter and exit without a prior hotel reservation in Qatar. However, they need to carry a Hayya card (one-day fan category) while pre-booking a car parking lot at the border through the Hayya platform before arriving in Qatar is also mandatory.
Parking is free for the first 24 hours from the time of entry. A service fee of QR 1,000 will be charged for the second day. If the vehicle has been parked for more than 48 hours from entry, the vehicle will be towed and another QR 1,000 towing fee will be charged. (Payment can be made electronically through a link that will be sent to their email registered on the platform).
Fans can ride in Qatari buses from Abu Samra checkpoint to Doha Central Station (Al Messila) or to the Family and Friends Meet and Greet Area at Al Qalayel. The parking reservation service will be available from 1 November 2022 and can be accessed using the Hayya card.
The fourth category is arrivals via buses. Those coming by buses must carry a Hayya Card and reach the arrival lounge at the checkpoint to complete the entry procedures into the country. They can take the Qatar buses from the border to Doha Central Station (Al Messila) or to the Family and Friends Meet and Greet Area outside the border at Al Qalayel.
The fifth category is humanitarian cases. Those who don’t hold a Hayya Card can apply for the permit through the Ministry of Interior website -www.moi.gov.qa for entry through the airports. Applications will be reviewed and replied to within six hours. The permit will be sent to the applicant via email if the conditions are met. The permit can be used only once.
The official noted that commercial trucks will be allowed to enter through the Abu Samra border crossing between 15 November to 22 December 2022 from 11 pm to 6 am to ensure smooth entry for football fans. He urged to contact the relevant authorities to learn the requirements for truck entry.
Addressing a press conference Sunday, Col Dr Jabor Hamoud al-Nuaimi, official spokesman for the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and the World Cup Tournament Security Force, said Abu Samra is ready to receive visitors from November 1 until the end of the tournament. He added facilities here have been improved while increasing the number of immigration counters and setting up elaborate parking facilities that can be used free for 24 hours.
Col Jassim al-Bohashem al-Sayed, executive director of the Office of the Commander of FIFA Cup Tournament 2022 Security Operations, was also present.
“The Ministry has taken several measures as part of its preparation to receive the public at the Abu Samra border checkpoint while increasing the number of passport counters at the checkpoint to serve visitors to the country, including fans, citizens, residents and others and allocating a comfortable tent ready to receive more than 4,000 people per hour,” he said.
“We have set up convenient and free transportation from the checkpoint to Al-Messila in central Doha and to the Family and Friends Meet and Greet Area in Al Qalayel, 2 km away from the border. The fans can contact their friends or family members to take them to their accommodation inside the country, or they can move by private taxi from therein,” he added.
The measures specified for the entry of World Cup fans through the land border will start from 1 November 2022 until 23 December 2022. “Those who enter Qatar must use the passport registered with the Hayya card. The entry procedures to be followed at the border checkpoint have been divided into different categories,” he said.
The first category is citizens, residents and GCC nationals who hold a Qatari ID card (cars with Qatari number plates). Their entry shall be as regular as is the case in normal circumstances. The vehicle carrying them shall have a Qatari number plate. A Hayya card is not compulsory.
The second category is fans with an exceptional entry permit. These are the fans who wish to enter with their own vehicles, and their entry is required to have a vehicle entry permit approved through the Hayya platform. To obtain it, there should be a confirmed accommodation approved through the Hayya platform for a minimum of 5 nights (for the driver only) and they should submit a vehicle entry permit application through the official Hayya platform. If approved, an email with a link to obtain the vehicle insurance electronically will be sent. Upon completion of the insurance, the applicant must follow up on the platform within 24 hours to obtain the permit by paying a non-refundable fee of QR 5,000. There should be a minimum of three people in the vehicle and the number of passengers shall not exceed a maximum of six people, while all of them should carry a Hayya card. The vehicle entry permit can be used only once (not for multiple visits). No driving will be allowed in the restricted areas announced in advance in the press conference on transport regulations in some areas and roads during the tournament.
The third category is one-day fan. Those coming through the Abu Samra land border to attend one or more matches within 24 hours only can enter and exit without a prior hotel reservation in Qatar. However, they need to carry a Hayya card (one-day fan category) while pre-booking a car parking lot at the border through the Hayya platform before arriving in Qatar is also mandatory.
Parking is free for the first 24 hours from the time of entry. A service fee of QR 1,000 will be charged for the second day. If the vehicle has been parked for more than 48 hours from entry, the vehicle will be towed and another QR 1,000 towing fee will be charged. (Payment can be made electronically through a link that will be sent to their email registered on the platform).
Fans can ride in Qatari buses from Abu Samra checkpoint to Doha Central Station (Al Messila) or to the Family and Friends Meet and Greet Area at Al Qalayel. The parking reservation service will be available from 1 November 2022 and can be accessed using the Hayya card.
The fourth category is arrivals via buses. Those coming by buses must carry a Hayya Card and reach the arrival lounge at the checkpoint to complete the entry procedures into the country. They can take the Qatar buses from the border to Doha Central Station (Al Messila) or to the Family and Friends Meet and Greet Area outside the border at Al Qalayel.
The fifth category is humanitarian cases. Those who don’t hold a Hayya Card can apply for the permit through the Ministry of Interior website -www.moi.gov.qa for entry through the airports. Applications will be reviewed and replied to within six hours. The permit will be sent to the applicant via email if the conditions are met. The permit can be used only once.
The official noted that commercial trucks will be allowed to enter through the Abu Samra border crossing between 15 November to 22 December 2022 from 11 pm to 6 am to ensure smooth entry for football fans. He urged to contact the relevant authorities to learn the requirements for truck entry.
