BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. Iran has made a decision to offer a two-month free visa to foreign citizens, amid the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, to take advantage of the visitor inflow to Qatar, Director General of the Foreign Tourism Development Department of the Iranian Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Leyla Ajdari said, Trend reports citing ISNA.
The initial idea was to have Iran offer free visa to citizens whose national football teams qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar for a one-time or a two-time period with a validity period of two months and a 30-day stay. According to Ajdari, the proposal was adjusted, settling for 20-day period.
Additionally, foreign nationals, with the exception of certain countries, can apply for a free visa once, twice or multiple times if they provide a ticket bought in Doha. Ajdari said these restrictions apply to such countries as Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Somalia, Sri Lanka, the US, the UK and Canada.
Iran hopes that this move will help the Islamic Republic to attract the soccer fans visit the country during the event.
“Also, citizens of countries wanting to use Iran as a transit country to attend the World Cup in Qatar can use the free visa option by submitting the necessary documents in the visa system,” she said.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will last from November 21 to December 18.
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