Your Ultimate Guide To Life, Travel, and Business in Qatar

Discover everything from visas to housing, business opportunities, lifestyle tips and interactive tools – all tailored for Qatar .

Travel & Tourism

Plan your perfect trip: flights, visas, must-see attractions, and accommodation.

Living in Qatar

Navigate expat life: relocation, housing, lifestyle, schools, and transport.

Business & Economy

Insights into Qatar’s industries, finance landscape, investment, and job market.

Tools & Calculators

Practical tools like cost of living, currency conversion, and gratuity calculators.

📊 Quick Facts About Qatar:

Category	Information
🏛️ Official Name	State of Qatar (دولة قطر / Dawlat Qatar)
🏙️ Capital	Doha (الدوحة / Ad-Dawhah)
👥 Population	Approx. 2.9 million (2023 estimate)
📏 Area	11,571 km² (4,468 sq mi)
🗣️ Official Language	Arabic (English widely spoken)
🕌 Religion	Islam (state religion)
💰 Currency	Qatari Riyal (QAR) - ﷼
🕒 Time Zone	Arabia Standard Time (UTC+3)
🚗 Driving Side	Right
📞 Calling Code	+974
🌐 Internet TLD	.Qa
🌡️ Climate	Desert climate: Hot summers (40°C+/104°F+), mild winters
👑 Government	Unitary constitutional monarchy
🤴 Current Emir	Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (since June 2013)

☎️ Qatar Essential Numbers & Contacts

🚨 Emergency Services

Police/Ambulance/Fire: 999
Traffic Accidents: 234 4444 (Please verify current number)
Hamad Medical Corporation: 4439 5777
Hamad General Hospital: 4439 4444
Anti-Poisoning Center: 4425 2000

🔧 Essential Services

✈️ Qatar Airways: 4023 0000
🛫 Hamad International Airport: 4010 6666
🏛️ Ministry of Interior: 4458 2444
💡 Kahramaa (Electricity & Water): 4484 5555
ℹ️ Tourist Information Hotline: 106
🏨 Qatar Tourism Authority: 4499 7499
🚕 Taxi Services (Karwa): 8294 4444

🏢 Diplomatic Services

🇺🇸 US Embassy in Doha: +974 4496-6700 (outside office hours: +974 4496 6000)
🇬🇧 UK Embassy in Doha: +974 4496 2000 (Consular Section, available 24/7)
🇨🇦 Canadian Embassy in Doha: +974 4419-9000
🇮🇳 Indian Embassy in Doha: +974 4425 5777 (for emergencies after office hours: +974 5564 7502 or +974 5566 7569)
🇦🇺 Australian Embassy in Doha: +974 4007 8500 (for after-hours emergencies: +61 2 6261 3305)
🇳🇬 Nigerian Embassy in Doha: +974 44485013 (Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm)
🇪🇬 Egyptian Embassy in Doha: +974 4483 2424
🇬🇭 Ghana Embassy in Doha: +974 4436 4486 or +974 4437 3448
🇿🇦 South African Embassy in Doha: +974 4485 7111 (for emergencies: +974 5583 2762)

📅 Qatar Important Dates & Public Holidays

🎉 National Holidays

🇶🇦 Qatar National Day: December 18 (commemorating the country’s unification in 1878)
🎊 Independence Day: September 3 (1971, independence from British protection)
🏃‍♂️ Sports Day: Second Tuesday in February (national holiday promoting healthy living)

☪️ Islamic Holidays (dates vary each year based on lunar calendar)

🌙 Eid Al-Fitr: 3-day celebration marking the end of Ramadan
🐑 Eid Al-Adha: 3-day celebration commemorating Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son
📆 Islamic New Year: First day of Muharram
🕯️ Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday: 12th day of Rabi’ al-awwal
🌙 Ramadan: Month of fasting, prayer, and reflection

💫 Did You Know? Fascinating Facts About Qatar

These facts rotate periodically on the website

💎 Qatar is the world’s richest country per capita, with the highest GDP per capita.
🌏 Nearly 88% of Qatar’s population consists of expatriates from around the world.
🔒 Qatar has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
🔤 The country’s name is pronounced “KAH-ter,” not “kuh-TAR” as commonly mispronounced.
✈️ Qatar Airways was voted the World’s Best Airline for a record seventh time in 2022.
📺 Al Jazeera, one of the world’s largest news networks, is headquartered in Doha.
⛽ Qatar is home to the world’s third-largest natural gas reserves.
🏛️ The Museum of Islamic Art houses art spanning 1,400 years and three continents.
⚽ Qatar was the first Arab nation to host the FIFA World Cup (2022).
🧓 The country has the world’s highest life expectancy among Arab nations.
🔮 In 2008, Qatar launched its National Vision 2030, focusing on sustainable development.
🏥 Qatari citizens receive free education, healthcare, and pay no income tax.
🛒 Qatar’s Souq Waqif is built on the site of a centuries-old trading market.
🏝️ The Pearl-Qatar is an artificial island spanning nearly four million square meters.
🎓 Qatar University offers free education to Qatari citizens and scholarships for international students.

🚌 Transportation & Getting Around Qatar

🚆 Public Transport

🚇 Doha Metro: Modern rail network with three lines (Red, Green, Gold) connecting major destinations
🚐 Metrolink: Feeder bus service connecting metro stations to nearby locations
🚌 Karwa Public Buses: Extensive network covering most areas of Qatar
🚕 Mowasalat (Karwa) Taxis: State-run taxi service with turquoise color
📱 Uber & Careem: Ride-hailing apps widely available

🚗 Driving

🪪 Valid international driving permit required for visitors
📄 Temporary driving license available for tourists (1-7 days)
➡️ Right-side driving
🛣️ Well-maintained road network
⚠️ Speed limits: 50-80 km/h in cities, 100-120 km/h on highways
🚫 Zero tolerance for drinking and driving

🌡️ Climate & Best Time to Visit Qatar

🏖️ Seasonal Overview

🍂 October to April: Pleasant season (20-30°C/68-86°F), ideal for tourists
☀️ May to September: Extremely hot (35-50°C/95-122°F), high humidity
❄️ December to February: Coolest months (15-25°C/59-77°F), occasional brief rain
🌧️ Annual rainfall: Less than 75mm, mostly between December and March

🧳 What to Pack

👕 Lightweight clothing for summer
🧥 Light layers for winter evenings
👚 Modest clothing for public places (shoulders and knees covered)
🧴 Sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats year-round
🩳 Swimming attire for hotel pools and beaches

🤝 Qatar Cultural Etiquette & Tips

🙏 Respecting Local Customs

👗 Dress modestly in public places, especially religious sites
❤️ Public displays of affection should be avoided
📸 Photography of government buildings, military installations, and airports is prohibited
🙋‍♂️ Always ask permission before photographing local people
🍷 Alcohol is served only in licensed hotel restaurants and bars
🕌 Ramadan observances: avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours

💬 Communication

🗣️ Arabic is the official language
🌐 English is widely spoken in business, tourism, and service industries
👋 Basic Arabic phrases appreciated by locals
👉 Right hand used for eating, greeting, and passing items
📅 Friday and Saturday are official weekend days

🏆 Qatar Major Achievements & Global Recognition

🌍 International Events Hosted

⚽ FIFA World Cup 2022
🏆 AFC Asian Cup 2011 (Champions)
🏃‍♂️ IAAF World Athletics Championships 2019
🤾‍♂️ World Handball Championship 2015
🎾 Annual Qatar Tennis Open (ATP & WTA)
🏍️ Annual MotoGP Grand Prix of Qatar
🎾 Annual Qatar ExxonMobil Open

🥇 Global Rankings & Awards

✈️ Hamad International Airport: Ranked World’s Best Airport (2021, 2022)
🛫 Qatar Airways: World’s Best Airline (multiple years)
🛡️ One of the world’s safest countries (Global Peace Index)
💰 Among world’s highest GDP per capita nations
🏺 UNESCO World Heritage Site: Al Zubarah Archaeological Site

💳 Qatar Banking & Currency Information

💵 Currency

💰 Qatari Riyal (QAR) – Fixed exchange rate of 1 USD = 3.64 QAR
💵 Denominations: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 riyals (notes); 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 dirhams (coins)
🪙 100 dirhams = 1 riyal

🏦 Banking

🕓 Banking hours: Sunday to Thursday, 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM
🏧 ATMs widely available throughout the country
💳 Major credit cards accepted at most establishments
💱 Currency exchange available at banks, hotels, and exchange offices
📱 Banking apps widely used (QNB, Masraf Al Rayan, Commercial Bank)

📡 Connectivity & Communication in Qatar

📱 Internet & Mobile

🌐 High-speed internet widely available
📶 Free Wi-Fi in most hotels, malls, and public spaces
📞 Major telecom providers: Ooredoo and Vodafone Qatar
💻 Visitor SIM cards available at the airport and telecom stores
📡 5G network available in most areas

📬 Postal Services

📨 Qatar Post offers reliable domestic and international services
🏢 Main Post Office located in West Bay, Doha
🚚 Express mail services available through DHL, FedEx, and UPS

🛂 Qatar Visa Information

📝 Entry Requirements

🆓 Visa-Free Entry: Citizens of 95 countries can enter visa-free (30-180 days depending on nationality)
🛬 Visa on Arrival: Available for numerous nationalities
🔑 Electronic Travel Authorization: Required for some nationalities
🎫 Hayya Card: Special entry permit during major sporting events
🔖 Valid passport required with minimum 6 months validity

📋 Visa Processing

💻 Online application through Ministry of Interior portal
⏱️ Processing time: 3-5 working days for most visa types
🏝️ Tourist visas: Single or multiple entry options
💼 Business visas require local sponsor
🔗 Visit www.moi.gov.qa for latest information

🏥 Healthcare & Medical Services in Qatar

🩺 Medical Facilities

🏥 Hamad Medical Corporation: Main public healthcare provider
👶 Sidra Medicine: Specialized women’s and children’s hospital
🏥 Al Ahli Hospital: Private healthcare facility
🩺 Doha Clinic Hospital: Private multi-specialty hospital
🏃‍♂️ Aspetar: World-renowned sports medicine hospital

🏥 Medical Insurance

📝 Health insurance mandatory for residents
✈️ Visitors advised to have travel insurance with medical coverage
🚑 Emergency treatment available to all regardless of insurance status
💊 Pharmacies widely available, many open 24/7

About QAdvert

Qadvert provide comprehensive guides and practical tools focused entirely on Qatar. Explore travel tips, visa information, expat living advice, housing options, and business insights, all designed to help you navigate Qatar confidently.