Qatar

Qatar Culture Overview1, 2

  • Capital: Doha
  • Population: approx. 3.2 million
  • Official Language: Arabic
  • Currency: Qatari riyal (QR)
  • The Khor Al Adaid is one of the only places in the world where the sea meets the desert.
  • Summer temperatures reach up to 122°F/50°C.
  • Qatar is the world’s second flattest country, with an average elevation of 28 meters above sea level.
  • Qatar has the highest male to female ratio (3:1) in the world
  • The Al Shahaniya racetrack is the center for camel racing in Qatar.
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Tips On Moving to Qatar

What Do You Need to Enter Qatar?3

  • Valid Passport
  • Visa
  • Valid health insurance or purchase one upon arrival

Customs and Declarations4

Prohibited items:

  • Weapons, firearms, ammunition and explosives
  • Narcotic drugs
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Pork meat and related products
  • Immoral items in all their forms
  • Radar jammers
  • Forged and duplicate currency

Helpful numbers in case of emergencies in Qatar5

There are several important emergency numbers to know in case you ever experience an emergency or need emergency help:

  • Police, Fire, Ambulance (999)
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Passing Away in Qatar7

The person reporting the death must do so at the nearest police station within 48 hours of the death. Afterwards, go to the mortuary (typically the Hamad Hospital Mortuary) to pick up the Notification of Death Certificate. 

You then need to visit the Births and Deaths Record Department at the Ministry of Public Health to make the application for death registration. The Ministry of Public Health MOPH which is the authority responsible for registering Qatari deaths in Qatar.

The death should also be reported to the relevant embassy or consulate.

The following information is required when reporting a death:

  • The deceased's full name, date and place of birth, address
  • Required documentation- the deceased’s passport, residence card, death notification
  • The date and place of death
  • The cause of death

Repatriating Mortal Remains

The repatriation of a body to the home country requires the help of the relevant local embassy or consulate. Consular officials can assist in organizing repatriation and obtaining appropriate documentation.

When repatriation of the body is requested, mortuaries (typically Hamad Hospital Mortuary) in Qatar will temporarily hold the remains while arrangements are made. Note, cremation is not permitted in Qatar. 

The cost of repatriation covers transportation and essential documentation, which may include:

  • A certified Copy of the Notification of Death
  • An embalming certificate (if required by the destination country)
  • A certificate confirming the coffin complies with International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations.