Qatar Pre-Departure Guide
Your complete checklist and guide for all essential preparations before traveling to Qatar for your studies.
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Example plan for your move to Qatar
Getting Ready for Qatar
Studying in Qatar starts with your university. It tells you how to get your visa, books your health check and helps with your residence permit. Your job is to send papers on time and plan your housing, insurance and packing.
Important: Your University Helps With Your Visa
What to Prepare
- Visa papers: Passport scan, medical form and money papers for your university.
- Health: Your university's medical form. VCUarts Qatar strongly recommends doing the blood tests at home first.
- Health insurance: Rules differ by university. Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar wants every student to have health insurance. University Foundation College (UFC) asks all international students for private medical insurance.
- Housing: Apply for Qatar University dorms or Qatar Foundation student housing early. Places are limited.
- Packing: Light clothes, a light jacket, spare photos and a UK plug adapter.
Before You Fly
After admission
Accept your place and pay any deposit. Your university then tells you the visa steps.
When your university asks
Upload your passport scan, medical form and any other papers.
By your university's date
Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar had a housing form date of 1 July for the August 2026 start. Ask your university for your own date.
After your visa arrives
Share your flight details with your university.
Each University Has Its Own Steps
Qatar University (QU) and the Education City universities each send their own lists and dates.
Follow the emails from your university's international office, and ask it if anything is unclear.
Pre-Departure Checklist for Qatar
Tick these off before you fly to Doha.
Documents
Passport
Qatar University asks for at least 1 year. Northwestern University in Qatar asks for at least 6 months after you enter Qatar.
Printed visa
Print the visa your university emails you and carry it.
Admission letter
Keep a copy in your hand luggage.
Passport-size photos
Northwestern University in Qatar asks for 3 after you arrive.
Health and Insurance
Medical form
The form your university sends, signed by a doctor.
Pakistan: polio card
Northwestern University in Qatar asks for an up-to-date yellow polio vaccine card if you travel from Pakistan.
Health insurance
Check what your university asks for before you fly.
Money and Practical
Money for the first weeks
You can open a Qatar National Bank (QNB) current account with your passport, but you must give the bank your Qatar ID (QID) within 90 days, or the account is blocked. Bring money for your first weeks.
Plug adapter
Qatar uses 3-pin UK sockets at 220 to 240 volts.
Clothes
Light clothes, a light jacket and formal wear for events.
Important
Living in Qatar
Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) lets students wear what they like on campus.
Phone and Internet in Qatar
Qatar has two phone companies, Ooredoo and Vodafone Qatar. You can get a SIM card at Hamad International Airport or in any big mall.
Mobile Phones & Internet
Mobile Phone Options
Choose a phone company
Ooredoo or Vodafone Qatar.
Buy a SIM card
At the kiosks in the Arrivals Hall at Hamad International Airport, or in a big mall.
Add money or choose a plan
Add money to your SIM card, or choose a monthly plan.
Useful Communication Apps
Ooredoo
Qatar phone company.
Vodafone Qatar
Qatar phone company.
Karwa
Book Karwa taxis in Qatar.
Metrash
The Ministry of Interior's phone app for residence services.
Important Contacts & Resources
Emergency Contacts in Qatar
Call 999 for an ambulance or any emergency.
Save These Contacts Before Departure
Emergency
999 for an ambulance or any emergency.
Health centre line
107, the line of Qatar's public clinics (PHCC), also called Hayyak.
Your university
Your international office handles your visa and residence permit.
Phone Checklist
Unlock your phone so it takes a Qatar SIM card.
Buy a SIM card at the airport or a mall.
Download the Karwa app.
Save 999 in your phone.
Tips Before You Fly to Qatar
Send your visa papers to your university when it asks.
Check how long your passport must stay valid. Qatar University asks for at least 1 year. Northwestern University in Qatar asks for at least 6 months after you enter Qatar.
Print your visa and carry it in your hand luggage.
Pack spare passport-size photos. Your university needs them after you land.
You cannot leave Qatar until your residence permit is done, except in an emergency. Plan no trips abroad for at least one month after you arrive (VCUarts Qatar).
Bring a 3-pin UK plug adapter, or buy one in Doha.
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Common Questions Before You Fly to Qatar
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