From 1 November, crew change movements in Qatar must be directly transported from airport to seaport and vice versa. There shall be random CID checking and violating agencies shall be banned from carrying out agency services during the World Cup.
Legal action will be taken against any crew found in country on any visa without a Hayya Card. This card is issued for world cup tickets holders only.
No other type of visas are eligible to get Hayya card (seaman visas not required Hayya card) crew are to leave the country within 5 hours from stamping either wise (airport to seaport or vice versa).
Seamen visas will be available during the world cup, and the time frame for the issuance of visa can vary from 3-5 working days.
COVID-19 restrictions for crew movements shall not be applied during the World Cup for crew movements. In addition, crew changes will be available subject to airlines booking and vessel availability at port on the same day within the timeframes stipulated above.
Moreover, an undertaking letter must be submitted to the authorities by agents for each crew movements in the country, while business visa for non-seaman book holders shall remain off the table as now.
Medical Emergencies shall be considered as necessary on case-to-case basis by the immigration department, with hotel accommodations not being available during this period.
The above is applicable for Ras Laffan/Mesaieed. No crew changes are permitted at Halul/Al Shaheen, as before.