April 19- Qatar is delaying its plan to discontinue its visa on arrival rules for nationals of 33 countries.  The Gulf State earlier this month announced new rules that were to take effect on May 1st, but the old system will remain in place for now.  The new rules would require nationals of 33 countries to apply for a visa prior to arriving in Qatar. These countries include the UK, US and GCC expat residents.  

According to media reports, the rule changes are being delayed because Qatar’s Foreign Ministry received requests from some countries to keep using the old system to give their nationals time before the new visa rules were enforced.  A source at the Consular Affairs Section of the Foreign Ministry said the requests are being studied and “It has therefore been decided that the existing visa-on-arrival scheme at the Doha International Airport for the citizens of the 33 countries will remain unchanged.”