Qataris can now use their passports to avail of the e-gate service at the Hamad International Airport, without the need to pass through immigration counters, Qatar News Agency reported yesterday quoting a Ministry of Interior official.

The e-gate service is accessible to those who have subscribed to the Qatari smart ID card services.

Brigadier Abdullah Saad Al Buainain, Director of the Nationality and Travel Document Department at the Ministry of Interior said that Qatari nationals who have access to e-gate services through their smart IDs can also use their passport to cross the e-gate at HIA. The e-gate service can also be activated at the Ministry of Interior services centres for those aged above 16 years. However, those under 18 years need approval from their guardians.

The service would save the time of passengers as they would be able to avoid queues at passport counters, Brigadier Abdullah Saad Al Buainain said.

Passengers with access to the service don’t require their passports to be stamped for immigration clearance.

A fee has to be paid for subscription to e-gate service through Metrash2. A written application is not required. The applicants only need to show their smart IDs to the authorities who will register their data and add the services using their ID or passport. The process will take only one to two minutes.

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