With November approaching, all eyes are on Qatar, waiting eagerly for the beginning of the World Cup 2022, while football teams’ fans have already secured their football jersey shirts in order to head to the Middle Eastern country and cheer for their favorite football teams.
A total of eight stadiums have been prepared in an effort to bring together more than 1.2 million fans of 32 teams that will participate in the 22nd edition of the world football champions, for the first time ever hosted by a Middle Eastern country, while this is the second time that FIFA World Cup will be hosted in Asia, VisaGuide.World reports.
Lusail stadium, as well as Al Bayt, Al Janoub, Ahmad Bin Ali, Khalifa International, Education City, Stadium 974, and Al Thumama Stadium, which are located in different cities of Qatar, will officially host this year’s world cup.
Recently, FIFA announced that a total of 2.45 million tickets had been sold up to this point.
But before participating in the biggest football event ever, all internationals must get informed regarding the entry rules that Qatar applies.
What Is the Hayya Card?
In order to become part of this year’s World Cup, local and international fans are obliged to apply for the Hayya Card.
The digital Hayya Card, known as a Fan ID, is a document issued by FIFA World Cup Qatar, and all persons must hold such a card together with their match ticket to be permitted to enter the stadium.
The card can be available immediately following the approval through the Hayya app; however, it has been clarified that the Hayya Card is operated by the government of Qatar, while FIFA is not responsible for the application, issuance, and/ or use of this card.
Do Internationals Need a Visa to Enter Qatar for the World Cup?
Citizens from other countries who plan to travel to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup, will not need a visa as long as they have a valid Hayya Card.
This means that this card will act as an entry permit to this country, and no standard visas would be issued for Qatar this time, when having an approved Hayya Card and tickets to FIFA World Cup matches.
Qatar’s Ministry of the Interior has announced that the country will resume visit visas starting from December 23. In addition, visitors to this country will be banned through air, land and marine borders starting from November 1 until December 22.
Such a decision was confirmed through a press conference of Brig. Abdullah Khalifa Al Muftah, Director of Public Relations Department and Head of the Media Unit, World Cup Safety and Security Committee, as well as Col. Jassim Al Sayed, Executive Director, Office of the Commander of the Championship Security Operations.
However, the Ministry has clarified that holders of valid Hayya Cards are exempted from this requirement, meaning they can enter the country during the aforementioned period.
In addition, they are allowed to stay in this country until January 23, 2023.
The United Arab Emirates has announced a multiple-entry tourist visa to Hayya Card holders attending FIFA World Cup, permitting them to enter the UAE multiple times for a period of 90 days.
Qatari authorities have said that all Hayya cardholders who do not leave the country after January 23, 2023, would be subject to legal proceedings following the country’s rules. In addition, authorities in Qatar also disclosed that Hayya Card could be used for multiple entries and exits.
It has been explained that holders of personal recruitment visas as well as work entry permits are also eligible to enter Qatar during the World Cup. Humanitarian cases, sick patients, marriage and other incidents will also be dealt with via an electronic platform that will be launched soon. Entry exemption will also be granted following the approval through this platform.
Two New Hayya Card Centers to Be Opened Before the Beginning of World Cup
Hayya Card holders can apply for the multiple-entry tourist visa through the website, www.icp.gov.ae, by choosing “smart channels” and then select “public services”, followed by selecting “Hayya Card Holders” visa and complete data and documents and also pay the applicable fees.
Authorities in Qatar have announced that fans will also be eligible to have a physical copy of this card in addition to having it available in the mobile app.
“Now that you have applied for your digital Hayya Card, whether approved or pending, you have the option to also get a physical Hayya Card (optional). The physical card will provide you with the same services as the digital card. If you choose to opt for a physical Hayya Card, you can have it shipped to your address,” the statement noted.
Organizers have confirmed that in order to facilitate access for fans applying for the ID cards, two new Hayya Card centers opened before the beginning of the tournament.
In this regard, the Executive Director of the Hayya platform at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), Saeed Ali Al Kuwari, has stressed that the new centers will be located in Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena (ABHA Arena) as well as Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), West Bay.
“Fans (who have completed the required procedures such as match tickets and Hayya card) will start receiving visas in their emails starting from October 1,” Al Kuwari pointed out in this regard.
Authorities in Qatar also announced that the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security has confirmed that it reduced the visa fees to Dhs 100. In addition, the same added that it will be paid once for the whole period.
All those who hold a Hayya Card are allowed to use public traffic for free and also participate in a large number of competitions and events.
“We have been educating fans through the media to not wait for the last moment to apply for the Hayya card. Fans are very much dependent on the Hayya card as it will serve them in many ways, including as a permit to enter the State of Qatar, access to the stadiums, and also match day travel, among others,” the official pointed out.
Are GCC Country Citizens Excluded From the Mandatory Hayya Card Requirement?
No! All persons from worldwide countries are obliged to have the Hayya Card, including citizens from the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.
However, it has been clarified that only citizens and nationals of Qatar will not be required to have such a card.
Over 260,000 Haya Cards Have Been Issued
Previously, authorities in Qatar have announced that over 260,000 Hayya cards have been issued to fans ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar. Such information was confirmed by Saeed Al Kuwari, Executive Director of the Hayya platform at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC).
He stressed that Hayya Card issuance is a sovereign right of Qatar, which is in line with the country’s security strategy for the tournament.
“Hayya card requires a match ticket. Only fans who purchased a match ticket can apply for the card,” Al Kuwari had earlier told Alkass TV.
The Executive Director of the Hayya platform at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy said that over 1.7 million internationals are expected to enter Qatar for World Cup 2022.
“After the first 12 days of the tournament, the entry procedures would be reviewed in line with the existing situation then. The Arab world’s first-ever FIFA World Cup is expected to bring more than 1.7 million people to Qatar in those months,” Al Kuwari pointed out in this regard.
In addition to having the Hayya Card, travelers from other countries are urged to follow the entry rules as well as the epidemiological situation in this country, following the information provided by the Ministry of Health, or consult FIFA travel advice.