Qatar cracks down on Algerian visa applicants

Algerian nationals applying to attend conferences in Doha have recently been turned away by local hotels who arrange visit visas, in what is believed to be a wider crackdown on entry into Qatar. When contacted by Arabian Business, a reservations agent at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, which is playing host to a series of conferences in September, said it was “very difficult” for Algerian nationals to obtain a visa. The agent said that only around 10 percent of applications were successful. A series of calls made by Arabian Business to the Doha International Airport immigration hotline went unanswered.Articles in the Algerian media have reported that the Algerian foreign ministry has requested clarification over the issue from the Qatari embassy in Algiers. According to the Echorouk news website, Algerian foreign ministry spokesman Amar Belani said that the visa difficulties were due to new “technical measures” being implemented by the Qataris.The Ennahar website claimed that the moves were in response to Algeria’s neutral stance over the current conflict in Libya. Qatar has supported that country’s National Transitional Council, and has sent fighter aircraft to support the NATO coalition that has been attacking targets loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi since March. The Qatari move follows Kuwait’s decision earlier this year to restrict entry to nationals from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan and Afghanistan due to fears over its security. Kuwait last week reportedly unveiled plans to halt commercial visa visas over fears rising numbers of expats were using them to enter the country, before transferring them to work permits to secure residency. The trend was creating a surge in ‘marginal’ foreign workers, Kuwaiti labour minister Dr Mohammad Al Afasi was reported as saying.   One security expert has warned that the Kuwaiti move could lead to a Gulf-wide clampdown on entry rules in a bid to sidestep local unrest.“We have seen a number of attempts by the GCC states to alter their visa systems on very short notice,” said Theodore Karasik, director of research at the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis.“Many times this is done because of security, but also because of seeking new methods to halt the flow of particular individuals in and out of countries.” From / Arabian Business News