If you’ve been keeping up with news about the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, then you know all about the Hayya Card. It’s the alpha and omega for all travellers into Qatar, your most important asset and your most loyal friend. Not only do you need this ID to enter their football stadiums and watch any of the actual matches, but it also grants visitors free visas and discounted rates for some of the other countries in the region.

Now, as the tournament’s half time runs out and we enter the final rounds of the World Cup, the Qatari Ministry of Interior announced that residents and citizens of any Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country can have free entry into Qatar without needing to obtain a Hayya Card. No longer will they be ruled over this all-too-golden ticket - now every World Cup fan across the GCC region will be able to attend unhindered.

All GCC travellers will have access to bus transportation into Qatar through land ports, and free parking spaces will be made available to guests. Travellers will also be able to cross over Qatari borders with their private cars, but they must first apply for a permit on the website of the Ministry of Interior at least 12 hours prior to arrival.