Travel Logistics

Texas A&M at Qatar, at times, has a different academic calendar than main campus. To view the most recent one, please click here.

Course offerings are typically in accordance with how the semesters are aligned in the Texas A&M University course catalog. For example, the Mechanical Engineering course catalog program requirements lists MEEN 225 as being required Fall of Sophomore year. Therefore, this means that MEEN 225 will be offered during the fall term. The same logic may be applied to the Chemical, Electrical and Petroleum Engineering catalogs. 

Core curriculum courses are offered throughout every term and will be dependent on student need. Students may also review previous semester course availability on Howdy. A list of offered classes will be provided to students prior to final confirmation in the Exchange program. Student's course selections will be given to Texas A&M at Qatar's Academic Services Office who will complete your registration.  

State of Qatar laws require that individuals coming to Qatar obtain an entry visa prior to arrival. For some students coming to Qatar, a Residence Permit will be required as part of your stay. Similar to a United States Green Card, the Qatari Residence Permit is the legal right to reside within Qatar. TAMUQ will assist all incoming students in obtaining a Residence Permit.

Once you arrive in Qatar, you will undergo a fingerprint screening, and have certain medical tests as part of your Residence Permit application which include the following:

1. HIV
2. Hepatitis
3. Tuberculosis

The issuance of a Residence Permit is contingent on the results of these tests. While not required, we recommended that you know your status of the aforementioned prior to deciding whether to participate in the program. If you are unable to secure a Residence Permit you will be required to depart Qatar.

If you are a dual citizen, you must use the same passport used to apply for your visa when securing your Residence Permit.

All Aggies coming to Qatar are required to stay in QF Housing and Residence Life rooms. The residence halls are located within the confines of Education City, and are within walking distance to TAMUQ.

Your modern room will include a private bedroom and bathroom, furniture, linens, towels, internet access, a television, a mini fridge, a safe, an electronic whiteboard and modular furniture. Click here for more information about QF Housing.

You will also have access to the Education City bus and tram system that connects all campuses, the Multaqa Student Center and Qatar National Library.

After being accepted into the program, you should complete the Qatar Foundation Housing Interest Form to secure their housing. In lieu of paying the required housing deposit, students accepted into the program will be provided a financial guarantee letter by TAMUQ.

Housing: Texas A&M at Qatar has committed to cover the cost of housing for students coming from Texas A&M University. However, extra charges placed on a student’s account (i.e. lock out fees, damages, etc.) will be billed to the student’s account.

Food: You can expect to pay around $25 a day on food, but this will depend on personal spending habits.

Insurance: You will be required to have CISI insurance through main campus. For more information, please contact Global Engagement. 

Cellular phone: Phone plans in Doha are relatively cheap. Plans can range from QAR 10 ($2.70) to more than QAR 100 ($27) a month.

Transportation: Getting around Doha is relatively inexpensive. Depending on your travel habits, you can expect to pay QAR 20 ($5.40) each way to get to the heart of the city via taxi or ride-share service. Qatar Foundation provides buses that can take you all around Education City, and to and from major shopping malls in Doha. The Doha Metro system is fully operational with fares starting at QAR 2 ($0.54) per trip and stops located within Education City for easy access

Flight: Flight costs will vary. Texas A&M University at Qatar staff will work with you to make recommended flight arrangements.

Textbooks: Free

Texas A&M University, at times, has a different academic calendar than the Qatar campus. To view the most recent one, please click here.

Course offerings will vary. Students will be given access to register for classes prior to departure to College Station. It is the students’ responsibility to communicate with their TAMUQ academic advisor to determine the coursework they should enroll in. Students should pre-plan the sections they wish to enroll in prior to the opening of their registration window. It is recommended that students are prepared with alternate classes in the case that their desired class is full and understand that you may not be placed in the same classes as other Qatar Aggies.

NOTE: Students taking courses in College Station must register for them on your own during their assigned times.

Students should NOT take any actions toward applying for a United States visa until they are given further guidance by TAMUQ Student Affairs.  

The United States visa process will differ for each student depending on their passport country, their length of stay, and their program. Basic information can be found here.

B-1 Visitor Visa

This is used for short term programs (i.e. SLEP, URS, etc.). You will need to use Visa Wizard to determine if they can obtain a visa upon entry or if a visa application and approval is required prior to arrival.

F-1 Student Visa

This is used for students planning to travel to College Station to study during the Fall, Spring, or Summer terms. You will be required to apply for this visa through the International Student and Scholar Services Office.

J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa

This is used for students selected to participate in the Texas Summer Research Experience (TSRE). You will be required to apply for a J-1 visa through the College of Engineering Human Resources Department.

Students interested in participating in programs on the College Station campus should be aware of potential U.S. Visa Reciprocity Fees based on their passport country. To find details relevant to the specific student's home country, click here. 

Students on short-term programs (i.e. SLEP, conferences, etc.) to College Station will stay in hotel facilities close to campus. Examples of previously reserved hotels are Home2Suites by Hilton or TownPlace Suites by Marriott.

Students on summer- or semester-long programs are currently housed at White Creek or Lark Northgate. Students are placed in four-bedroom, same-sex units. Though we attempt to have only Texas A&M at Qatar students housed in an apartment together, there is a chance that students may be placed with College Station students.

Housing: Depending on the program, TAMUQ students may or may not be responsible for the cost of housing while in College Station. The cost of housing will be announced prior to final program commitment. Failure of students to pay rent or any damages to the apartment will result in the cost being applied to their student accounts.

Food: The day-to-day cost of food is highly dependent on the spending of students. More information on dining at Texas A&M University can be found here. 

Health Insurance: All students traveling to Texas A&M University on an F-1 visa will be required to enroll in the mandatory health insurance plan. Students traveling on programs requiring a J-1 visa will have insurance procured on their behalf.

Cellular phone: Students generally group together and purchase a monthly family phone plan at with one of the phone companies. For example, T-Mobile has plans costing students $20-30 a month depending on the plan selected.

Transportation: Upon arrival at Houston International Airport, students will be transported to College Station via bus or shuttle. Texas A&M University buses provide transportation around campus and to some businesses off-campus through various bus routes. Students can also utilize ride-share platforms such as Uber, Lyft or Zipcar. Students wishing to travel out of town during their stay can utilize Ground Shuttle to arrange transportation from their apartment to IAH, HOB, or AUS airports.

Flight: Flight costs can vary and are between $1,500 to $2,000+ (economy) between Doha and Houston.

Textbooks: $900-1,500

Filing taxes is an important part of the intercampus exchange. Even if you have not received any money, every person must file taxes during the given tax year. Taxes are due by 15 April of the year following your intercampus exchange experience. QSEO will assist with the necessary paperwork during your stay in College Station.