An “OK to Board” message is normally required in the following situations:
1. Countries in GCC normally issue Resident Permit / Work Visa for expatriate workforce. One of the requirements of Resident Permit (RP) is that if a person leaves the country from where he holds a RP, then a re-entry has to be ensured within 6 months. An over-stay is a violation of the rules and requires the immigration department to authorise re-entry. Once approved by the immigration, an “OK to Board” message may be inserted within the PNR to ensure that passenger is accepted at the outstation. The request to insert this message is normally made by the passenger’s sponsor.
2. An “Ok to Board” message is also inserted in the PNR for a Seaman. The message is normally handled by the shipping agent, or the shipping company itself with Qatar Airways that the necessary visa is pre-arranged and will be made available upon passenger’s arrival. Seamen are accepted on board a QR flight based on the passenger presenting at the time of check-in the following documents:
- A valid passport
- Shipping company’s book
- A letter of guarantee
- One of the below documents:
- Visa
- Confirmation of pre-arranged visa
- Ok to board message in the PNR
Note: A. If the information in TIMATIC specifies that visa for seaman can be obtained on arrival, then no OKTB message is required, however, passenger must be in possession of all other documents mandated in TIMATIC as well as a valid passport, shipping company’s book and a letter of guarantee.
B. During COVID-19 pandemic situation, seaman has to be in possession of all other travel requirements and documents as mandated by the travel regulations.
3. An “Ok to Board” message is also added for a person that has been issued with a Business Visa, travelling for a short visit to conduct discussions, negotiations, and / or presentations, but not to take up employment with the sponsor.
Note: The message is inserted upon Sponsor’s advice at a QR office at the passenger’s destination.
For customers travelling either for Tourism purposes or joining a family member (Visit Visa) may require prior clearances in the form of a written authorization from the immigration authorities of the country of arrival. In turn the clearances must be updated within the customers PNR. This is to be done in the form of a SR CKIN Message. Res & Tktg Staff are reminded to please ensure this is checked within TIMATIC, The Official Government Website of the country of arrival or finally the ASM of that airport of arrival.
