Saudi passport authority clarifies travel document rules for Qatar

Saudi citizens seeking to enter Qatar now have the option to use their national ID card as their travel document, as long as it remains valid for at least three months upon arrival, according to the Saudi passport authority. A recent inquiry on the official account of the General Directorate of Passports in Saudi Arabia sought clarification on this matter - specifically asking if a passport was necessary for entry into Qatar, or if a national ID card would suffice, similar to other Gulf countries.

In response, the passport authority clarified on its X platform account that travel to all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Qatar, is indeed permitted using a national ID card. However, the ID card must be valid for a minimum of three months at the time of travel. The General Directorate of Passports has emphasized the importance of protecting passports in both Saudi Arabia and abroad, suggesting individuals safeguard them from damage, loss, or theft.

The authority discourages neglecting, pawning, or misusing these crucial travel documents, and advises that passports be kept in secure locations.

Should a passport be lost, damaged, or stolen while in Saudi Arabia, the authority has established a reporting process through the "Report Saudi Passport Loss" service on the Absher platform. For passports lost outside the Kingdom, travelers are advised to immediately notify the nearest Saudi mission and, upon returning to the country, visit the passport authority to complete the necessary procedures.