AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF QATAR ON THE WAIVER OF VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR HOLDERS OF DIPLOMATIC AND SPE…

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the State of Qatar, hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”;

Desirous to enhance and deepen the ties of friendship between them;

Seeking to facilitate the travel of the Parties’ nationals who are on official mission for their respective Governments;

And respectful of the provisions of Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations-1961, and Vienna Convention on Consular Relations-1963;

HAVE AGREED to the following:

Article 1
Coverage

This Agreement covers the following types of passports issued by the Parties:

1. For the Republic of the Philippines: valid Diplomatic and Official passports.
2. For the State of Qatar: valid Diplomatic and Special passports.

Article 2
Short-Term Visits

Nationals of either Party who are holders of valid passport types mentioned in Article 1 of this Agreement are exempted from the obligation to obtain visas for entry and stay in the territory of the other Party, for a stay of thirty (30) days. Provided, the passport presented must have a validity period of at least three (3) months beyond the period of allowed stay in the territory of the other Party.

Article 3
Officials on Assignment

The nationals of the Parties holding the passports referred to in Article 1 of this Agreement, who are members of the diplomatic mission, consular post or international organizations accredited in the territories of the other Party, in addition to the members of their families living with them and holders of the passports referred to in Article 1 hereof, can enter, pass through, stay in or exit the territories of the other Party without a visa during their assignment in those territories, provided that they comply with the accreditation requirements in force in the territories of the other Party within thirty (30) days from the date of their arrival in the territory of the other Party.

Article 4
Entry and Exit Points

Holders of the passports referred to in Article 1 of this Agreement can cross the borders of the other Party from legal border outlets open for international traffic.

Article 5
Denial of Admission

The Parties have the following rights:

1. To refuse the entry or stay of the nationals of the other Party in its territories for reasons of national security, public order and public health.
2. To shorten or terminate the duration of stay of the nationals of the other Party in territories of the receiving country in accordance with laws and regulations in force in the receiving country.

Article 6
Compliance with Immigration Regulations and Domestic Laws

Notwithstanding the exemption from obtaining entry visas for holders of the passport types mentioned in Article 1 of this Agreement, it is the duty of persons benefiting therefrom to comply with immigration regulations and domestic laws in effect in the territory of the other Party during transiting the borders or staying in its territories.

Article 7
Unauthorized Activities

Nationals of the Parties holding the passports referred to in Article 1 of this Agreement are not allowed to practice any work or uphold any commitment against payment, in contradiction to their status, without prior permission from the concerned authorities of the receiving Party.

Article 8
Termination or Suspension of the Agreement

Each Party reserve the right to suspend the application of this Agreement in whole or in part for reasons of national security of the State, public order or public health, and when such decision to suspend or reactivate the Agreement is made, the other Party shall be notified in writing through diplomatic channels. In such case, the Agreement shall be deemed terminated thirty (30) days from the date of receipt by the other Party of the notice to terminate.

Article 9
Passport Specimens

Both Parties shall exchange, through diplomatic channels, their respective valid passport specimens within sixty (60) days after the signing of this Agreement. The Parties shall inform each other about the introduction of new types and classifications of passports as well as any charge or modification to those currently in use and shall furnish relevant specimens within sixty (60) days from their adoption for use.

Article 10
Dispute Settlement

Any dispute arising between the Parties concerning the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement shall be settled by bilateral consultations and negotiations through diplomatic channels.

Article 11
Amendments and Revisions

The terms of this Agreement or any provisions thereof may be amended by the written and mutual consent of the Parties. Such amendments shall enter into force in accordance with the provisions of Article 13 hereof.

Article 12
Passport Loss, Theft or Cancellation

In case of loss, theft, damage or cancellation of any of the passports referred to in Article 1, within the territory of the receiving State, the issuing State shall immediately notify the competent authorities of the other Party within thirty (30) days from receipt of information.

Article 13
Entry into Force

This Agreement shall take effect thirty (30) days after the date of receipt of the last diplomatic note under which one Party shall notify the other Party of the completion of all legal procedures necessary for the entry into force of this Agreement.

This Agreement shall remain in force for an indefinite period, unless one of the Parties informs the other in writing that it wishes to terminate it, through diplomatic channels.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.

This Agreement has been DONE and SIGNED in Manila on 22 April 2024, in two original copies, in both English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authentic.

Entry into Force: August 15, 2024