Qatar
Last update 21 April 2023Diplomatic missions
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Level 2: Increased attention (please be informed in detail about the current situation in the country)
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The State of Qatar
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Doha, The State of Qatar
Address: West Bay, Dafna Area, Zone 66
Waraqa Bin Nawfal str. # 848
P.O. Box 23812
Doha, State of Qatar
Telephone: +974 44120023
Fax: +974 44120024
Out-of-hours hotline: +974 55310875
Office hours: Sun - Thu, 08.00 - 14.30 h
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/qatar
Embassy of the State of Qatar in Sofia
Address: 1504 Sofia, 4, Vassil Aprilov str.
Tel.: +359 865 01 94; +359 865 02 39
Fax: +359 865 02 39
General information
general information
Local currency
Qatarreal (QAR)
3.65 QAR = 1 USD (fixed exchange rate)
Facts of interest
Capital: Doha
Some major cities: Al Hor, Uakra, Messaid, Al Shamal, Dukan, Ras Lafan and others
Population: 2,05 mil inhabitants, 87% оf the population lives in the capital city of Doha.
Official language: Arab. English is widely used. Official documents are in Arab where only some forms are bilingual – translated into English.
Office hours: Governmental institutions work from 7:00 to 14:00. Private companies mostly work from 8:00 to 12:00 at noon and from 16:00 to 20:00 in the afternoon. Friday and Saturday are days off.
Official holidays: 18 December – National day of the State of Qatar; 3 September – Independence day of Qatar; all Muslim holidays, according to the religious calendar.
Religion: the official religion of the State of Qatar is Islamic. There are prayer temples constructed and operating in Doha for other religions as well, an East Orthodox church, included.
Crime and security
The level of crime in Qatar is extremely low.
Law specifics
Law of the country is considered to Islamic law (Shariat). During the holy month Ramadan consumption of food and beverage and also smoking in public places is forbidden from sunrise till sunset.
Customs requirements
There are not official restrictions for import and export of foreign currency in Qatar, with the exception of the currency of the State of Israel that is forbidden.
Qatar has prohibited the import of explosives, arms, alcohol, pork (sausages as well), printed and video materials with political or pornographic content, drugs, wireless transmitters and communication equipment.
The content of video tapes, books, CDs, printed materials is subject to inspection.
When prohibited materials are found to have been imported most severe sanctions are applied, imprisonment included.
Carrying alcohol beverages on board of the Qatar Airways aircrafts traveling to Doha is strictly forbidden, also for transit passengers through Qatar.
Road traffic
Main modes of traveling are private cars and taxi cabs, services of bus and coach transport are also available.
Driving on the roads requires high attention, mostly because of the high speed (100-120 km/h). The use of safety belts is mandatory. Driving after the use of alcohol may lead to imprisonment and extradition.
For further information check HERE.
Climate
Moderate desert climate with long and hot summers and short winters with insignificant rainfalls.
Travel papers and visas
Valid international passport and affixed Qatar entry visa, which can be obtained from the Embassy of Qatar in Sofia.
For tourist visasapplicants have to providethe following documents:
- a passport whose term of validity is for at least six months after the date the application was submitted;
- a copy of the passport;
- a bank statement for the last 3 months (where the balance shall not be less than1200 ЕUR);
- two passport-size pictures.
Validity of the visa is for 3 months after the date it was issued. When entering the country the validity of the visa must not be expired. The holder of a tourist visa can stay in the country for a maximum of one month.
Practical advice
Bulgarian citizens must conform to the Islamic norms of behavior in Qatar and in other countries of the region.
Consumption of alcohol is inadmissible beyond the limits of high star hotels.
Clothing must comply with the local notions of decency (T-shirts with thin straps, short pants and skirts, plunging necklines, transparent clothes, etc. are inappropriate).
Demonstration of intimacy between people in public places can lead to detention by the police.
No pictures shall be taken close to sites of national significance: governmental institutions, diplomatic missions, military bases, oil and gas fields and refineries.
Тhe emergency telephone number (police, ambulance) is: 999.
Competitive service
Issuance of Bulgarian identity documents
The Consular Office at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Doha has the biometric equipment for processing and forwarding of applications for Bulgarian identity documents (passport, identity card ad driving license), and issuing temporary passports.
Legalisations and certifications
Qataris not a signatory party under the Hague Convention of 1961 and there is no agreement for bilateral legal assistance signed between Bulgaria and Qatar, therefore the embassy certifies the seal of the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The same is valid for the documents/papers issued in Bulgaria which have to bear the stamp of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to be certified by the Consular department at the Embassy of Qatar in Sofia.
Civil status
Birth of a child of a Bulgarian citizen
Upon birth of a child in Qatar whose one or both parents are Bulgarian citizens, they must inform the consular section of the Embassy of Bulgaria in Qatar.
Within six months the parents of a newborn child shall be issued a birth certificate which shall be certified first with the signature and seal of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Interior of the State of Qatar, and then by the Consular Section of the Embassy in Doha. Translation into Bulgarian shall be made and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria and then sent to the municipality of domicile of the mother or of the parent who is a Bulgarian citizen.
Marriage
Marriage can be concluded in the Bulgarian Embassy in Qatar.
Marriage to a foreign national may be concluded before the consular officer if the native law of the foreign citizen so permits, and this is attested by an official document.
Before planning a marriage at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Qatar, every Bulgarian citizen must contact the consulate to set the date and time of the ceremony and submit the following documents: medical certificates, birth certificates, identification documents of the future spouses and witnesses, marital status certificate issued by the municipality of residence in the Republic of Bulgaria; statements to be completed by both spouses before the ceremony.
Marriages concluded at the accredited embassies or local churches registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar shall be recognized only if they are between individuals whose citizenship and religion are other than Quatrain, upon presentation of a duly certified and legalized certificate. The certificate shall be registered with the municipality of domicile of the husband, and if he is not a Bulgarian citizen - with the municipality of domicile of the wife.
Death of a Bulgarian citizen
In case of death of a Bulgarian citizen on the territory of Qatar, the Consular Office must be promptly notified.
The Death Certificate should be duly certified and legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, the Embassy of Bulgaria in Doha, and accompanied by an official certified translation into Bulgarian language made by translation companies authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria. The document shall be sent or submitted to the municipality of domicile of the person in Bulgaria. The Consular Office with the Embassy is prepared to provide assistance with any matters concerning the death of Bulgarian citizens.
Fees
Attention!
All payments to the budget – fees for issuing documents, are made solely with bank cards (debit or credit). Cash payments are not accepted.