The Indian Embassy in Doha issued an urgent advisory on 7 March asking tourists and other short-term Indian visitors stranded in Qatar to enter their details in a new online Google Form after the previous registration link crashed. According to the mission, only travellers on Hayya A1 and other visit visas who do not hold Qatari residency or work permits need to register.
The data collection exercise will help the embassy determine the exact number of Indians stuck in the country and guide any possible assistance or repatriation moves. This comes as nearly 15,000 Indian nationals have already been repatriated from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman between 2 and 4 March.
Qatar Flight Disruptions Continue Since February
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Disruption Start | 28 February 2026 |
| Cause | US-Israel strike on Iran, Tehran missile retaliation |
| Current Status | Scheduled flights mostly suspended |
| Registration Required | Visit visa holders only |
The advisory follows a week-long region-wide air-traffic disruption triggered by a US-Israel strike on Iran on 28 February and Tehran’s missile retaliation. Widespread airspace closures forced airlines to cancel thousands of services, stranding passengers across the Gulf.
While the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have partially reopened their airports, scheduled flights to and from Doha remain mostly suspended. Indian travellers currently have few options except limited charters and road links to neighbouring countries.
Embassy Registration Process for Stranded Indians
Embassy officials in Qatar say the new database will enable them to extend similar help once safe departure corridors or special flights become available. In the meantime, travellers have been advised to stay in contact with airlines, avoid unnecessary movement and monitor the embassy’s social-media channels for updates.
If you’re planning future travel to Qatar, review our comprehensive Qatar travel requirements to understand visa categories and entry procedures. For immediate assistance with travel document issues, use our Document Checklist to ensure you have all necessary paperwork.
Corporate Travel Implications
For corporate mobility managers, the advisory highlights the importance of tracking employees’ visa categories and travel status in real time. Companies with project teams or short-term assignees in Qatar should ensure that staff complete the registration form, keep passports valid for at least six months and maintain sufficient funds and insurance while the situation evolves.
Contingency plans such as remote work arrangements or reallocating personnel to alternative hubs like Muscat may also be required if the disruption continues.
FAQ
Q: Who needs to register with the Indian Embassy in Qatar? A: Only Indian tourists and short-term visitors on Hayya A1 and other visit visas who do not hold Qatari residency or work permits need to register.
Q: Why did the embassy create a new registration form? A: The previous online link crashed, so the embassy issued a new Google Form on 7 March to collect traveller details and determine exact numbers for assistance planning.
Q: How long have flights been disrupted in Qatar? A: Flights have been mostly suspended since 28 February due to regional airspace closures following the US-Israel strike on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation.
Q: What should Indian companies with employees in Qatar do? A: Companies should ensure staff complete the registration form, maintain valid passports for six months, keep sufficient funds and insurance, and consider contingency plans like remote work.
Source: Indian Embassy, Qatar