All foreign nationals, except those from the GCC countries, are required to have visas and residence permits if they wish to reside in Qatar for the purpose of employment. Applications for employment visas are normally processed at the initial stage through the Qatari Embassy or Consulate in the home country and must be based on a formal offer of employment The Department of Immigration is responsible for issuing such permits. Business visas may be arranged by local business counterparts, although tourists and businessmen from Western countries and of certain other nationalities can have visas for stay of limited duration stamped on arrival at the Doha Airport.