Published: September 22, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Qatar Travel Advisory and Qatar Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Doha
Al-Luqta District, 22nd February Street, P.O. Box 2399.
Tel: +(974) 4496-6000.
Hours of Operation: 0800-1630, Sunday-Thursday.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
OSAC Qatar Country Chapter meets monthly and has a diverse membership, including U.S.-owned and joint-venture firms from the energy and service sectors, academia, and the medical community. Contact OSAC Qatar or OSAC’s MENA Team with any questions.
Qatar Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Qatar.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Doha as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Qatar.
The Government of Qatar and Interior Ministry (MOI) monitor crime trends carefully and expend great effort to keep peace via improved security and law enforcement capabilities to identify, deter, and neutralize emerging crime trends or threats. At the same time, anecdotal evidence suggests that crime is underreported. Resident expatriates often do not report minor crimes, as they may fear deportation, and wish to avoid costly legal proceedings. For example, since foreign workers, who outnumber Qatari citizens nine to one in the country, tend to fear deportation, crimes committed by Qataris against foreign workers (e.g., domestic staff) may go unreported.
The government reports a low number of violent incidents and crimes. Murders and violent crime are well below the global average. Violent crime targeting U.S. and other Western expatriates, although relatively rare, does occur. Authorities indicate a low rate of other crimes (e.g., kidnapping, assault, arson) compared to the rest of the region. The burglary rate is also reportedly well below the global average. Burglaries and thefts targeting Western expatriates typically occur after dark and/or when they are away from home for extended periods. Reporting indicates that criminals are more likely to target expatriate-style stand-alone residences, rather than residences or apartments in gated and secured compounds.
Incidents of theft from or of motor vehicles (sometimes in connection with "joyriding") do occur as crimes of opportunity but are rare in guarded/gated residential communities.
Due to Qatar's reliance on foreign workers, foreign labor camps house the large resident foreign blue-collar labor pool. These areas tend to have higher rates of crime. Moreover, large numbers of foreign workers congregate in certain areas of Doha and its environs on weekends and after hours, leading to overcrowding and the presence of an almost exclusively male laborer demographic.
The government reports that most instances of violent crime are between/among certain third-country national groups composed of young male laborers, therefore more prevalent within the third-country national labor camps and industrial areas; these do not target Western expatriates. The government is adept at deporting guest workers who might be involved in crimes or otherwise pose a threat to public safety. Edged weapons are available and, along with blunt instruments, are often the weapon of choice. Violence by one group of third-country nationals against another frequently involves the use of improvised weapons (e.g., tools, sports equipment, construction materials). These altercations are often the result of specific disputes unique to the populations living in industrial neighborhoods and labor camps. These incidents occasionally occur near, or overflow into, commercial business areas where criminals can locate/create burglary tools and other cutting instruments to perpetrate criminal activity.
Only vetted Qatari citizens may request permission from the Interior Ministry to purchase and obtain a shotgun or air gun for hunting purposes. Third-country nationals may not purchase or obtain firearms.
Other reported crimes include, but are not limited to, various types of immigration and residency fraud, online and SMS phishing activity, ATM/credit card theft, white collar fraud, embezzlement, counterfeiting, illegal narcotics (use/smuggling/possession/trafficking/distribution), identity theft/fraud, pickpocketing (particularly in crowded locales), unauthorized real estate businesses, illegal private taxi services, and various cybercrime activities. There are frequent reports of corporate disputes over business practices.
The most common reason for arrests of U.S. citizens as reported to the U.S. Embassy has been for unsatisfied loans or bounced checks. It is common practice to ask renters for a year's worth of pre-dated checks to rent accommodation; if the renter leaves without getting the checks back, the rental company may continue to cash them. Business owners may write checks as well for insurance in business deals; those in possession may also cash them should the deal go awry. Banks will also give out loans with very little collateral required; debtors must pay these in full before final departure from Qatar. U.S. citizens have found themselves stuck in Qatar, unable to work or reside legally, because of bounced checks or unsatisfied bank loans.
Qatar is a conservative country; visitors must be mindful of local customs and traditions, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
It is illegal to drink alcohol or be drunk in public, or to drive under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol is available at licensed hotels, restaurants, and bars. Expatriates living in Qatar can obtain alcohol on a permit system. Do not carry alcohol around with you, except to take it on the day of purchase from the licensed distribution center to your residence.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Qatar.
Based on the available information, kidnapping is not a concern in Qatar. Routine security practices and precautions are highly effective to deter and prevent this type of activity.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Doha as being a MEDIUM-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Qatar.
The security and threat environment in the Gulf States remain active, as regional extremist groups, while degraded, maintain the capability of conducting attacks and attempt to inspire potential sympathizers to conduct lone-actor attacks. The Department cannot dismiss the possibility of a terrorist attack against U.S. interests in Qatar.
Continued threats from terrorist groups directed against U.S. interests worldwide require that U.S. citizens exercise a high level of vigilance and security awareness, keep abreast of regional developments, and incorporate good security practices into daily activities.
Qatar signed a counterterrorism memorandum of understanding with the United States in 2017. Qatar has recently made significant progress on joint counterterrorism initiatives. Qatar released a terrorism list in 2018 that included a number of Qatari nationals and has twice joined the United States and all the other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states in simultaneous designations of terrorists and terrorism supporters. A bilateral strategic dialogue occurred virtually in September 2020 that concluded agreements and continued engagement on increased security cooperation for 2022, elevating cyber security exchanges, and countering terrorist financing. During a U.S. Administration visit to Qatar in May 2025 a statement of intent was signed to further strengthen the U.S. - Qatar security partnership. This builds on the U.S. presence at Al Udeid Air Base and outlines over $38 billion in potential future defense investments.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Doha as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Qatar. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Regional tensions with Iran, the U.S., and neighboring countries continue to ebb and flow; it is important to monitor and stay abreast of developments in the Gulf. Iran's use of regional proxies in neighboring countries has not impacted Qatar directly, but that could change without warning or notice. Qatar is involved in mediating the Israel-Hamas conflict and seeks to resolve the regional issues without violence. On September 9, 2025, Israel conducted a precise missile attack aimed at Hamas leadership in Doha in which one local Interior Security Force officer lost his life, and five Hamas member were killed. On June 23, 2025, Iran carried out a missile attack directed at the Al-Udeid Air Base located just outside Doha, Qatar. No deaths or injuries were reported in this attack.
Elections/Political Stability
Qatar is stable and ruled by the al-Thani family. Regional developments in the Arabian Peninsula and the broader region can change rapidly and may affect local public opinion = sentiment, but it is unlikely to have any discernable effect in Qatar.
In October 2021, Qatar held its first legislative elections to fill two-thirds of the Shura Council. Shura Council elections occur every four years. Qatar’s next general election is expected by October 2025.
Protests & Demonstrations
Public protests and/or demonstrations are small and rare. The most recent demonstration was in October 2023, when thousands of people took part in demonstrations in support of Palestinians in the city’s central West Bay area.
According to Qatari penal code, protestors could face up to five years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western sentiment is practically nonexistent in Qatar. Qatar is a strong military, commercial, and counterterrorism partner of the United States. Qatar Foundation hosts seven U.S. universities at its Doha campus, “Education City.” Many Qatari citizens attend university in the United States and the United Kingdom. Qatar hosts Al Udeid Air Base, home to approximately 8,000 U.S. service members.
Law Enforcement
The emergency line in Qatar is 999. English-speaking dispatchers routinely handle calls to this number, but language proficiency can vary. For local first responders, refer to the Embassy’s Emergency Assistance page. Qatar has 8 municipalities and 98 zones to assist with urban planning processes. When calling 999, knowing and identifying which zone you are calling from will speed up the response time.
The Interior Ministry and the Internal Security Force (ISF, Lekhwiya) are primarily responsible for law enforcement and security. The MOI/Al Fazaa police (Rescue Police) provide emergency response units.
The MOI operates the National Command Center (NCC) in northern Doha. The NCC possesses sophisticated capabilities to respond to emergency calls, identify/monitor security incidents, and provide response coordination in the event of contingencies. All MOI entities are represented at the NCC, which operates around the clock. The NCC continues to expand its capabilities; it serves as the primary focal point for incident response and crisis management, and as a control center for major events. Qatar possesses enormous financial resources to purchase top-of-the-line law enforcement equipment, communications systems, and private and governmental training. However, a small Qatari population limits recruitment possibilities, creating perpetual human resource shortfalls in the public safety and law enforcement fields. Most uniformed enlisted MOI police forces are third-country nationals. Officers and decision makers are generally Qataris. This mixture of nationalities in the public safety field can present some command, control, and communications challenges.
The Qatari justice system contains aspects that may be unfamiliar to most U.S. travelers. Authorities routinely detain suspects for months without pressing formal charges, court hearings are conducted in Arabic, and foreign nationals find themselves facing criminal charges for actions not commonly classified as crimes in other parts of the world, such as civil debt, drug consumption, and using profanity.
Police Response
Customer service, response, and investigative skills may not be at a level expected in the U.S. English-language skills of first responders may be lacking. Depending upon traffic density and other priorities, police response times in Doha can exceed 20-30 minutes. Response times can be even longer during local religious holidays (Ramadan, in particular), on weekends, and/or during hours of darkness. Major events may result in blocked roadways, further delaying responders. Nevertheless, police officers are generally professional, cooperative, and courteous when responding to U.S. citizen requests for assistance, particularly when assisting and adjudicating traffic accidents and infractions. Police officers, particularly patrol officers and traffic police, do not make traffic stops as often as police in the U.S., relying on an extensive network of cameras for traffic enforcement. Police officers often remain in certain locations as a visual deterrence, not necessarily to perform response or incident management functions.
Most residential compounds occupied by U.S. government and expatriate personnel employ local security guards under contract with compound management. Most compounds have varying degrees of physical and technical security systems, including various types of access control, vehicle placards/stickers, barrier systems, CCTV, and other countermeasures. Some compounds have local police (MOI Public Guards) assigned to provide deterrence/response.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Qatar, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Qatar.
The constitution prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention and provides for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of his or her arrest or detention in court. The government usually observes these requirements.
The law requires that persons be apprehended with warrants based on sufficient evidence and issued by an authorized official. By law all suspects except those detained under the Protection of Society Law or the Combating Terrorism Law must be presented before the public prosecutor within 24 hours of arrest. If the public prosecutor finds sufficient evidence for further investigation, authorities could detain a suspect for up to 15 days with the approval of a judge, renewable for similar periods not to exceed 45 days, before charges had to be filed in the courts. Judges may also extend pretrial detention for one month, renewable for one-month periods not to exceed one-half the maximum punishment for the accused crime. Authorities typically follow these procedures differently for citizens and noncitizens.
The law permits the prime minister to extend detention indefinitely in cases of threats to national security and to adjudicate complaints involving such detentions. The state security service can arrest and detain suspects for up to 30 days without referral to the public prosecutor.
Authorities are more likely to grant bail to citizens than to noncitizens. Noncitizens charged with minor crimes can be released to the custody of their employer (or a family member for children) pending trial, although they may not leave the country until the case is resolved.
By law in non-security-related cases, the accused is entitled to legal representation throughout the process and prompt access to family members. There are provisions for government-funded legal counsel for indigent prisoners in criminal cases, and authorities generally honor this requirement.
The law provides criminal penalties for official corruption, and the government generally implemented the law effectively. There were isolated reports, however, of government corruption. The law gives the State Audit Bureau financial authority and independence and allows it to publish nonconfidential findings.
Labor laws permit employers to report “absconding” laborers. International rights groups reported several cases of employers reporting employees fleeing abusive working conditions as “absconders,” leading to arrests, detention, and deportation. International human rights groups also reported cases of migrant workers being arrested after their employers filed false absconding reports as a form of reprisal for complaining of working conditions.
Cybersecurity
Qatar takes cybersecurity seriously and, over the last few years, has been the victim of high-profile, publicly reported cyberattacks on government and media websites and on energy industry networks. Qatar is one of a very few countries in the Middle East and North Africa region to have cybercriminal and cybersecurity legislation in place.
Unsuspecting U.S. victims reported internet-based scams in Qatar in 2020. Fraudsters used the U.S. Embassy's logo and phone numbers to solicit payment from victims for services including purchases of industrial equipment, enrollment fees for U.S. universities, and job offers. Other scams targeting expatriates have purported to come from spoofed Qatari government offices and phone numbers.
The Transport and Communications Ministry has a dedicated computer emergency response team (Q-CERT), which identifies and resolves major threats and maintains a reporting and analysis coordination effort. Q-CERT works to address cybersecurity threats to minimize the risks from malware, malicious actors (e.g., hackers, terrorists, organized criminal networks, industrial, foreign government espionage) and cyber warfare. Companies and members of the public can report cyber incidents by phone, by email, and through an incident reporting form. Q-CERT's website includes a daily threat alert dashboard, statistics, and access to technical services assessment and testing. In addition to Q-CERT, MOI established E-SHIELD and a Cyber Security Center (CSC) in 2018 to protect the country's digital infrastructure and respond to cyber-attacks. CSC and E-SHIELD use the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
The MOI investigates and prosecutes cybercrimes, which fall under its criminal investigation jurisdiction; under Qatari law, these can include defamation and use of the Internet for a wide range of criminal purposes. MOI's Cybercrime Combating Centre provides data and security intelligence to roving security patrols to interdict and investigate criminal acts. To report cybercrimes to the MOI, contact the Cybercrime Combating Centre at (+974) 2347444 or (+974) 66815757, or via e-mail.
Import/Export Restrictions
Ensure hand-carried items and checked baggage do not contain contraband items, including weapons, ammunition, pork products, alcohol, and sexually explicit material. Authorities will seize discovered materials and detain travelers temporarily (12-24 hours) while they determine whether this was an accidental oversight. Most incidents resolve themselves without action by the Embassy or the services of a lawyer.
Advance approval/certificate of type from Communication Regulatory Authority of the State of Qatar is required for the importation of satellite phones. Only requester companies/ establishments are allowed to utilize this process. Individuals are not permitted to import satellite phones. Additional restrictions apply.
A permit form the Qatar Aviation Authority is required before flying a drone in Qatar. A drone permit/license is not required if you are only transiting through Doha Airport (DOH) and do not leave the airport. Additional restrictions apply.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
