The Qatar Tourism Authority has strong claims for publicizing the wonders of the country and encouraging the arrival of foreigners. This is due to participating as a guest in the Copa America, hosting the next two finals of the Interclub World Championship (2019 and 2020), and being the host country for the FIFA World Cup in 2022 – the first Middle Eastern nation to receive the greatest sports event on the planet. Situated in Western Asia, on the Arabian Peninsula, Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world. Its official language is Arabic, while English is also frequently spoken, since the country receives investors from all over the world. With an area of only 11,610 km2, its population (2,743,901 inhabitants) is equal to that of Mato Grosso do Sul, in Brazil.
Two facts were decisive in making Qatar one of the major nations in the world: its independence in 1971 (before that it was a British protectorate), and the discovery of oil, transforming the economy, once based on pearl diving and maritime commerce. Since then, Qatar has become one of the wealthiest countries in the world, thanks to the revenue from oil and natural gas – Qatar has the world’s third largest gas reserves – attracting workers from the whole world. It’s estimated that less than ¼ of its population is comprised of natives, while most of its inhabitants are foreigners, especially from Arab nations and from India, Nepal, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Another offer that attracts the arrival of expatriates is the fact that Qatar is one of the few countries in the world where the inhabitants do not pay taxes, according to the Global Competitiveness Report. On the other hand, the climate is scary: being in a desert region, the temperatures are extremely high for most of the year. Its long summer lasts from May to September, with an average temperature of 38⁰C, but that can reach an incredible 50⁰C. Between the months of December (when the World Cup will be held) and March, the temperatures are milder, with an average of 26⁰C, and the minimum of 6⁰C.
Recommendations for Brazilians
There is no specific vaccine needed to enter the country, but the passport must have over 6 months of validity. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Brazilian expatriate can “travel with normal security precautions” – the lowest level among the safety recommendations. The travel recommendations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs consider the context of infrastructure, security, and health, as well as the general situation of the chosen destination country, evaluating the potential risks of the trip for Brazilian citizens.
