Egypt ends visa-free trips for Qataris

Egyptian authorities on Monday announced the end of visas on arrival for Qatari citizens.

The foreign ministry said that from tomorrow, Qatari nationals – with some exceptions – will have to apply for a visa to enter the country.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt imposed sanctions on Qatar on June 5, cutting diplomatic and transport ties with the country over accusations it finances terrorist and extremist groups. Doha denies those accusations.

“It does not make sense to keep making exceptions for Qatar and giving it privileges in light of its current positions,” said Ahmed Abu Zeid, a foreign ministry spokesman.

He said that Qatari nationals with Egyptian mothers, spouses of Egyptians, and Qataris studying in Egypt would be exempt.

No action has yet been taken against Egyptians in Qatar, where 1.6 million foreign workers reside.

The decision on Monday as Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry met his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Sabah Al Sabah. Kuwait has led mediation attempts to end the crisis, now in its second month.

Mr Shoukry said Egypt stood by the list of demands the four boycotting countries made of Qatar.

“The foreign minister affirmed to his Kuwaiti counterpart Egypt’s commitment to the list of demands presented to the state of Qatar and the continuation of sanctions taken against it,” Mr Abu Zeid said.