MUSCAT: With Qatar announcing visa on arrival for vaccinated travellers from India, the Gulf destination has become a sigh-of-relief for expatriates stranded back home and trying to get back to their jobs in Oman.

However, according to sources, some passengers who have arrived in Qatar on “visa on arrival” are now stranded, as they do not posses an international credit or debit card equivalent to QAR 5,000 (Approximately OMR 529) in the account.

According to the latest decision, Indian nationals can obtain on-arrival tourist visa and spend up to 30 days in Qatar, however, “they must have a mandatory valid credit or debit card in the name of the traveller, in case of travelling with family, the family head should have a card with his name),” said Ministry of Interior in Qatar. They should also have a confirmed return ticket, confirmed hotel reservation as well.

According to a top travel agent in Muscat, Doha can become a sought-after destination for hundreds of Indian travellers serving Covid-19 regulations before they are cleared to enter the Sultanate.

Indians trying to get back to their jobs, businesses and family were taking long routes.
They spend two weeks quarantine in countries from where travel to Oman is considered safe during movement restrictions to control the spread of Covid-19 variants.

However, with Qatar opening “visa on arrival” for vaccinated Indian passengers, the route to Oman has now become shorter. “But they (passengers) must make sure that they have a credit or international debit card in their name and it should have QAR 5,000 in it. Passengers and even travel agents must make sure they check all these details before they leave their home destination,” said Reena Abdulrahman, Chief Operating Officer of Alhind Travel and Tours.

Passengers also have to take the two doses of vaccines approved by Qatar in order to to be eligible to get an “on arrival visa”.