Authorities have announced the procedures for entry into Qatar through the Abu Samra border crossing during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
They disclosed that the border crossing will receive World Cup fans from November 1 until the end of the tournament. The World Cup will run from November 20 to December 18, 2022.
Addressing the media yesterday at a press conference, Col. Dr. Jabor Humoud Al Nuaimi, Official spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Tournament Security Force and Col. Jassim Al Bouhasem Al Sayed, Executive Director of the office of the Commander of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Tournament Security Operations, said the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has taken several measures to receive the expected crowd at the border – stressing that fans must use the passport registered on the Hayya platform.
According to authorities, the ministry will allocate a tent that can receive 4,000 people per hour and increase the passport counters at the checkpoint to serve fans, citizens, residents and others. Free transportation will be provided from the border to Al Messila in central Doha and the Family and Friends Meet and Greet Area in Al Qalayel, 2km from the border.
Per the entry procedures through the border, citizens, residents and GCC nationals holding a Qatar ID card or cars with Qatari number plates shall enter the country as usual and don’t require a Hayya card to enter.
Meanwhile, fans who wish to enter Qatar with their vehicles must have a vehicle entry permit approved through the Hayya platform. Fans must have confirmed accommodation approved through the Hayya platform for a minimum of 5 nights for the driver only and approved application for a vehicle entry permit with valid insurance; the applicant must follow up on the platform within 24 hours to obtain the permit by paying a non-refundable fee of QR5,000 upon completion of the insurance.
Also, a minimum of three and a maximum of six people can be in the vehicle, with all possessing the Hayya card. The entry permit can be used only once, and drivers must ensure they stick to designated accessible areas during the tournament.
For one-day fans, they can enter the country without a prior hotel reservation. However, they must possess a Hayya card under the one-day fan category, pre-book a car parking lot at the border through the Hayya platform before arriving in Qatar, and enjoy free parking for 24 hours from entry.
Authorities will charge a service fee of QR1,000 for the second day. If the vehicle has been parked for more than 48 hours from entry, it will be towed, and another QR1,000 towing fee will be charged. Payment can be made electronically through a link that will be sent to their email registered on the platform.
The parking reservation service will be available from November 1 2022 and can be accessed using the Hayya card.
Those arriving via buses must possess a Hayya card, complete entry procedures at the checkpoint and take the Qatar buses from the border to Al Messila station or meet family or friends at Al Qalayel.
Meanwhile, for humanitarian cases -- those who do not hold a Hayya card (through airports only) can apply to obtain the permit through the Ministry of Interior website. Applications will be reviewed and replied to within six hours and sent to the applicant via email if they meet the conditions. The permit can be used once.
Authorities also announced that commercial trucks would be allowed to enter Qatar through the Abu Samra border between November 15 to December 22, from 11 pm to 6 am.
Qatar expects around 1.2 million fans for the World Cup. Yesterday, Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy officials disclosed that about 75 percent of the World Cup ticket holders have already applied for the mandatory Hayya Card.
