If you’re planning a road trip between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, this detailed walkthrough of every counter, slip, building, and check will help you move through the border smoothly. We recently completed this trip and documented each step from both sides—Saudi → Qatar and Qatar → Saudi.
We are GCC resident ID holders; we already had visas but didn't have car insurance.
🚗 Entering Qatar from Saudi Arabia
1. Window 1 — Saudi Customs
Your first stop is at the Customs window.
They ask for:
• Driver’s Passport
• Istimara/Registration of the vehicle
You receive a small slip, also known as the Saudi custom paper or gate pass.
2. Window 2 — Passport Control
Next, at the second window:
• All passports are submitted
• Biometrics for each passenger are taken
You receive three slips, one for each passenger.
3. Window 3 — Slip Collection
Here:
• The three slips are collected, which were received from Window 2
You can now proceed toward the Qatar side.
Qatar Side — Pre-Registration & Entry
4. Pre-Registration Lane
After entering the Qatar area:
• Do not go straight; enter the pre-registration lanes on the left
• Keep on the left-most lane
• Do not go to Lane D
You will see three biometric buildings:
• One for Qataris
• One for ladies
• One marked for visas. Enter this building.
Inside:
• Biometrics are completed
• Passports are stamped
5. Audit Counters
Next, go to the Audit section:
• Bags are scanned
After this, they inform you whether your vehicle needs further scanning or inspection. If not required, then you receive the Qatar custom paper.
6. Vehicle Inspection
At the vehicle scanning area:
• Only the driver stays inside the car
• Passengers wait in the nearby waiting area
• The entire vehicle is scanned
• You receive the Qatar custom paper
7. Insurance Counter
Here:
• Vehicle insurance for Qatar is issued
• The Qatar custom paper is stamped
8. Final Check
At the last Qatar entry counter:
• Passports are checked
• Both slips (Saudi custom paper + Qatar custom paper) are collected
After this, you’re officially inside Qatar
🚗 Exiting Qatar — Returning to Saudi Arabia
1. Qatar Immigration
At the exit immigration counter:
• All passports are taken
• Exit stamps are placed
• You receive a paper with a QR code
This QR code is scanned at the exit barrier to open the gate.
2. Luggage Check
After immigration:
• They perform a visual inspection
• No scanning here—just a look
3. Final Qatar Counter
At the last window on the Qatar side:
• Passports + the QR paper are checked
• You are cleared to proceed toward the Saudi entry area
Entering Saudi Arabia
1. Saudi Passport Control
At the first Saudi counter:
• All passports are submitted
• The Qatar custom paper is collected temporarily
• Fingerprints of all three passengers are taken
• The Qatar custom paper is returned
• You receive three new slips (one for each passenger)
2. Saudi Customs
At the next counter:
• All slips and passports are handed over
• The officer keeps the papers and returns your passports
• You’re asked to park for a luggage check
The check is simple:
• Officer opens/looks at the luggage
• Quickly clears you
3. Insurance Counters
You’ll see two set of lanes:
• Uninsured cars
• Insured cars
If your car already has valid Saudi insurance:
• Go to the Insured Cars lane
• There are no additional checks
This is the final step on the Saudi side.
