UAE- Qatar

[Kevin-]

Planning on going to see some mates in Dec- I will be tripping it by bike.

Just asking whats the deal with crossing the UAE-Saudi-Qatar border. Anything i need to do before hand or just a case of turning up/stamp in passport and taking the road to Doha


Cheers

[Vicks]

you need to have a pre-issued "Transit Visa" for Saudi. Can't just land up at the gates at ghweifat/batha and get a "visa on arrival". Its a special country .

Being a GCC resident, you should be able to get the Transit Visa without too many issues but some people's experience is that if you mention "motorcycle" as your mode of transport in the visa application, it will be turned down. you can ask your employer to help in case you have a govt. liasion officer or someone like that.

Qatar is cool though and you'll be able to get the "visa on arrival". Safer to check with the Qatari embassy (call them) in UAE before setting out.

good luck.

[Kevin-]

Thanks Vicks,

We have a PRO guy in work that handles gov problems(he is very busy ) so i will talk to him

[deepstar]

Kevin,
I was planning on returning to the UK after my contract had been cancelled this summer (I'm still here - que'lle surprise) and was going to ride back on my GSA.

From Oman, UAE then KSA - however the wonderful people in the "magic kingdom" do not issue entries for motorbikes ridden by expats (not 100% sure about GCC Nationals) - when I enquired at the Muscat Embassy I was told "because terrorists ride motorbikes" - WTF !!!

Consequently all riders leaving UAE/Oman this year to the EU ride home either shipped bikes to Turkey, or went via Iran.

If you are somehow able to pull it off I know there are MANY riders who would like to know how you did this.... for the EU ride Syria is still a No-Go area, but it almost gives us alternative routes.

Safe riding

Tim