Living in Qatar

Embrace college life through exploring your options for fun, fitness, and dining across Education City.

Recreation and Fitness

• Multaqa Student Center
• QF Recreation Center
• GU-Q Gym
• Oxygen Park

Dining and Delivery Services

• O Street Cafe
• Residence Halls Cafeteria
• Education City dining and café options
• Food delivery apps: Talabat and Snoonu

Whether you’re going across campus or out in Doha, transportation is just a short walk away.

Education City Transportation

• EC Tram
• EC Shuttle
• Additional Shuttle Services

Doha Public Transportation

• Doha Metro
• Metrolink Bus
• Qatar Rail

Car Rides

• Uber
• Karwa Taxi

On-Campus Parking

Local students may obtain an Education City parking pass from GU-Q’s FM office. Email us for details.

Georgetown’s commitment to educating the whole person extends to providing Health and Wellness services and ensuring your safety on campus.

Your life as a student is full of possibilities and opportunities to connect, learn, and grow towards your goals. Find out what’s available to you and how to make the most of your time at GU-Q.

• Career Counseling and Internships
• Research Support
• Library
• Tutoring
• Digital Labs
• Bookstore and Textbooks
• Mail
• Religious services
• Forms and Policies

Residency Permit
All non-Qatari students attending GU-Q require sponsorship to live in Qatar. New non-resident international students must work with Student Life to acquire sponsorship from Qatar Foundation. The process of obtaining a residency permit takes 4-6 weeks, and you will not be able to leave Qatar until the process is complete, unless there is an emergency.

Students may be sponsored by their families if their families reside in Qatar. If you are under family sponsorship, please inform the Office of Student Development and provide a copy of your Qatar ID.

FEES: Students who need to renew their Residency Permits must now submit payment to Georgetown Finance before processing.  Please see the Fees and Process guidelines.

Travel and Leave Process
To exit Qatar, all students sponsored by Qatar Foundation must:

• Fill out a Leave Notification Form for each trip.
• Get a signature from the GU-Q Finance Department (1st floor)
• Obtain a signature from QF Finance (located in the QF Head Office).
• Submit the completed Leave Notification Form to Immigration and Government Affairs Manager, Omar Al Swadi, at least 5 days prior to departure.  Omar’s office is 1A47 in the Human Resources Suite.
• Once the permit is issued, Omar will email it to you. Print it and take it with you to the airport for presentation at passport control. 

If you have any further questions or issues about immigration, you can call Omar. His office line is +974 4457-8295.

Omar Al Swadi can also assist with the following services:

• Obtaining a Letter of No Objection
• Obtaining a Residence Permit
• Renewing a Residence Permit

If a member of your family needs a visa to enter Qatar, Georgetown can request assistance from Qatar Foundation, your sponsor.

Visa on Arrival

• Qatar Foundation (QF) will not process a visa request for anyone who can get it on arrival at the airport. See the list of 80 nationalities on the approved countries list. QF will only facilitate the process for immediate family members (parents and siblings).
• The traveler’s passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months past the date of entry.
• Some residents of GCC countries are eligible for a visa on arrival: GCC residents of approved professions and those accompanying them may obtain a one-month GCC Resident Visit Visa on arrival or through a Qatari Embassy.  The visa is renewable for an additional three months.  Applicants should carry proper documentation proving their profession.

Visa in Advance

• If your family member cannot get a visa on arrival, we need at least 2-4 weeks to process the request.
• Visa requests for official Georgetown or QF events, such as Family Day and Commencement, will be supported by Georgetown. Again, we need at least 2-4 weeks to process the request.
• QF will only facilitate the process for immediate family members (parents and siblings).
• Submit to Omar Al Swadi a copy of each traveler’s passport pages which contain a photo, country of issue, and current expiration date.
• For non-event visits, family members should try to get a visa from the hotel where they are staying. Most major hotels in Qatar provide this service. If your family is unable to get a visa from the hotel, please inform Dr. John Wright, Office of Student Life.

Moving to a new country for university can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help! Check out the packing list and tips we prepared to make the process smoother.

Clothing Tips
Students wear a range of clothing styles in Doha. While no particular dress code is enforced at GU-Q, please keep in mind the culture and setting, depending on the places you’ll go.

It is very hot in the summer, but everything is air-conditioned, so it’s a good idea to carry a light jacket or sweater. The winter months include chilly winds, so jackets, sweatshirts, sweaters, and scarves are recommended.

You are also encouraged to bring attire for on-campus cultural and formal events.

Textbooks
You will receive your textbooks from the Bookstore during the first week of classes. You can also buy stationery items in the bookstore or in other stores in Qatar.

Amenities in the Dorms
For students residing in QF Residence Halls, the following items will be provided in their unit: Loft bed, Linens (sheets, pillow), Study desk and chair, mini-fridge, flatscreen TV, cupboards and shelving units, hairdryer, trashbin, safebox, bedside lamp, speakers (attached to the headboard). Additional appliances and household items can be easily purchased at stores in Qatar.

Electronics
Voltage and Plug Requirements – Electrical sockets in Qatar provide power between 220 and 240 volts AC, using the three-pin/UK sockets. The electrical frequency in Qatar operates at 50 Hz. Local supermarkets offer a broad selection of adapters to match the devices you bring to campus.

Cell Phones – There are two phone providers, Vodafone and Ooredoo, that will allow you to get a mobile line (SIM card) while in Qatar. You will find them in any major mall or in Carrefour. Note that in Qatar, phone charges for SMS are less than for phone calls. The person who initiates a phone call is charged for it, while the receiver of the call does not face any charges. Hint: You can check your balance with Ooredoo by dialing *129#

Banking
Education City has a branch of Qatar National Bank located at the Recreation Center. To open an account, students can visit any QNB office with the following documents:

• ID Copy (please note: copy should include the front and back sides of the ID)
• Student ID
• Passport Copy

Additionally, students must complete a form provided by QNB that includes information about the account as well as the account holder’s signature. Learn more about QNB student accounts.