Latest Travel advice Qatar

 July 30, 2021: Information on entry restrictions, testing and quarantine regulations in Qatar

1. Passengers are not allowed to enter Qatar.

•  This does not apply to:
•  nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates;
•  passengers with a permanent residence permit issued by Qatar;
•  passengers with a residence permit issued by Qatar. They must have an Exceptional Entry Permit;
•  passengers with a Diplomatic ID issued by the MOFA of Qatar;
•  spouses and children of nationals of Qatar. They must present proof confirming their family relationship and have a residence permit issued by Qatar;
•  spouses and children of nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. They must travel together;
•  domestic workers of nationals of Qatar. They must be accompanied by the sponsor or one of the first degree sponsor’s relatives and have a residence permit issued by Qatar;
•  domestic workers of nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. They must be accompanied by the sponsor or one of the first degree sponsor’s relatives. Their residence permit must be valid for at least 6 months and their passport must be valid longer than their residence permit.

2. Passengers entering or transiting through Qatar from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka or Vietnam must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 48 hours before departure of the first embarkation point. The test result must be issued by a testing center approved by the local government.
3. Passengers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 72 hours before arrival. The test result must be issued by a testing center approved by the local government.

•  This does not apply to:
•  Umrah passengers arriving from Saudi Arabia.
•  passengers arriving from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka or Vietnam .

4. Passengers arriving from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka or Vietnam must have a quarantine hotel reservation for 10 days made at https://www.qatarairwaysholidays.com/qa-en/welcome-home-7-night-booking/overview .
5. Passengers must have a quarantine hotel reservation for 7 days made at https://www.qatarairwaysholidays.com/qa-en/welcome-home-7-night-booking/overview .

•  This does not apply to:
•  passengers arriving from Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, China (People’s Rep.), Cuba, Hong Kong (SAR China), Iceland, India, Ireland (Rep.), Japan, Korea (Rep.), Macao (SAR China), Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand or Viet Nam;
•  nationals and residents of Qatar with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate issued in Qatar stating that they received the second vaccine dose at least 14 days before arrival;
•  nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates and their accompanying family members and domestic workers. They must have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate issued in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia or United Arab Emirates. Vaccines accepted are AstraZeneca, Covishield, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech and Sinopharm. They must have received:
•  the single vaccine dose of Johnson & Johnson at least 14 days before arrival, or
•  the second vaccine dose of AstraZeneca, Covishield, Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech or Sinopharm at least 14 days before arrival. More details can be found at https://tinyurl.com/w52x7pvb ;
•  passengers younger than 18 years residing in Qatar traveling alone or with family members. Family members must have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate and must have received the second vaccine dose at least 14 days before arrival;
• passengers older than 75 years residing in Qatar and one escort. They must reside in the same place as the escort;
•  pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers with an infant younger than 2 years, residing in Qatar. They must be accompanied by their husband or a relative who must have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate and must have received the second vaccine dose at least 14 days before arrival. They must reside in the same place as their husband or relative;
•  passengers with a Diplomatic ID or an Admin card issued by the MOFA of Qatar;
•  US or NATO military personnel with Military ID card;
•  nationals and residents of Qatar with a positive COVID-19 test result issued in Qatar at most 9 months before arrival.

6. Passengers are subject to home quarantine or quarantine in a hotel for 7 days; details can be found at https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/Pages/Qatar-Travel-Policyy.aspx

• This does not apply to:
•  nationals and residents of Qatar with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival. Vaccines accepted are: AstraZeneca, Covishield, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech and Sinopharm;
•  passengers with a visa obtained before departure and a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival. Vaccines accepted are: AstraZeneca, Covishield, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech and Sinopharm.

7. Passengers could be subject to a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival.
8. Nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are not allowed to enter with a national ID card.
9. Passengers must install the Ehteraz app.
10. Suspension of visa on arrival facilities

General Policy :
Citizens and Residents can travel abroad at any time, provided they adhere to the travel and return policy.
1. Qatar has classified countries into Green, Yellow and Red based on the level of risk.
2. Online Registration thru Ehteraz website (www.ehteraz.gov.qa) is mandatory to all travellers coming to the state of Qatar (including Qatar citizen and resident ). At least 12 hours before travel, travellers should upload the required official documents. They will be issued a Travel Authorization, which they will be required to present to the boarding staff to be allowed to fly to Qatar, or to the Immigration officials at the land border.
3. Unvaccinated citizens and residents wishing to travel abroad to one of the countries not included in the COVID-19 Green List must book a hotel quarantine package from the listed hotels on the “Discover Qatar” website before traveling.
4. Those wishing to travel must know the procedures applied in the country they want to visit in terms of quarantine procedures, duration, and the need to provide a COVID-19-free certificate.
5. COVID-19 PCR-test to travel abroad should be conducted at one of the private healthcare facilities announced by MOPH.
6. PCR Test must be done in a medical Centre approved by the local health authority (of the issuing country) to perform COVID-19 PCR tests
7. GCC citizens who have recovered from COVID-19 must present the original Vaccination certificate (at least one dose of a vaccine approved by MOPH Qatar), PCR Test and certificate of prior infection with COVID-19.
8. Employees must coordinate with their employers about the dates of their travel and return to Qatar. They should consider the quarantine period when planning their trip.
9. All passengers transiting through Qatar must have the mandatory pre-travel PCR test certificate valid for (72) hours of arrival to Qatar, and in case they require another PCR test for their onward destination, they can have it at Hamad International Airport on a standard fee of QAR 300/- per test.
10. If the hotel quarantine criteria apply, the Ministry of Public Health will cover the costs of the hotel quarantine packages for patients receiving their treatment abroad (with written confirmation from the Medical Treatment Committee Abroad) at the expense of the State, along with their official escorts. The employer is responsible to cover the quarantine expenses for their employees who are on official missions
11. With home quarantine, the accommodation conditions should be suitable, provided it has a separate room with its ensuite bathroom. If the accommodation is not appropriate, one of the hotel quarantine packages must be booked for through the “Discover Qatar” website before traveling to Qatar
12. The validity of the vaccine to grant quarantine exemption is 12 months, starting (14) days after the second dose. This immunity period could be extended based on new and emerging data.
13. Lists of approved/conditionally approved vaccines by the Ministry of Public Health:
14. Lists of approved/conditionally approved vaccines by the Ministry of Public Health: AstraZeneca, (Covishield/Oxford/Vaxepheria), Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer/Biotech(Comernate) and Sinopharm;
15. Travelers fully vaccinated with the above-specified *conditional vaccines will be subject to an antibody test on arrival, if the result is positive with antibodies, exempted from quarantine; otherwise the traveler must undergo applicable quarantine based on country of departure and perform COVID-19 PCR tests upon arrival.
16. Travelers must present an official vaccination certificate that includes the following information:
1. Name of the recipient as mentioned in their passport.
2. Vaccination Date clearly written as 1st and/or 2nd dose.
3. Type/Name of vaccine.
4. Vaccine Lot number (if available)
5. Official logo or stamp of the vaccination authority
Recovered individuals:
17. Citizens and residents recovered from a previous infection within the last (12) months are exempted from quarantine upon return from their travel abroad, if they were asymptomatic and their PCR test result was negative.
18. This rule applies to individuals diagnosed in Qatar. Those who were diagnosed in any GCC member states and received at least 1 dose of the MOPH-Qatar recognized vaccine are exempted from quarantine provided they submit a certificate detailing the previous infection and recovery issued by their local GCC state health authority
19. It is the responsibility of individuals to ensure that they are updated with any changes in the Entry and Return policy of the State of Qatar through the official sources and the sites mentioned above before planning their trip.

Group A: Qatari Citizens, Residents and GCC Citizens
Before Traveling to Qatar:
1. One negative PCR test carried out maximum 72 hours before time of arrival is required; It must be done in a medical center approved by the local health authority of the issuing country to perform COVID-19 PCR tests.
2. Register through the Ehteraz website (www.ehteraz.gov.qa) at least 12 hours before travel, and upload the required official documents.
3. You are exempted from quarantine if you are fully vaccinated with an MOPH recognized vaccine and at least (14) days have passed after receiving the second dose of a two-dose series vaccine or from the single dose in case of single-dose regime vaccine.
4. Unvaccinated travelers, vaccinated with other vaccines not recognized in the State of Qatar, and those who fall short of the 14 days vaccine administration period since the second dose:
a. You will be subject to quarantine for a period depending on the country classification you travel from. You will need to book a hotel package through Discover Qatar if you are coming from Yellow (7 days) or Red countries (10 days).
b. Minors between (0-11) years traveling with their fully vaccinated parents are exempted from quarantine if traveling from countries on the Green List.
c. Unvaccinated Minors between (12-17) years traveling with their fully vaccinated parents shall be subject to home quarantine for (05) days if traveling from countries on the Green List.
d. Unvaccinated Minors between (0-17) years traveling with their fully vaccinated parents shall be subject to home quarantine for (07) days if traveling from countries on the Yellow List and shall be subject to home quarantine for (10) days if traveling from countries on the Red List.
5. For unvaccinated travellers belonging to group A and had trips to multiple countries for the last 10 days: to benefit for the quarantine privileges of the lower-tier country classification, they must be staying in the said lower-tier country COVID-19 classification for minimum period of 10 days.
6. For unvaccinated travellers belonging to group A and are returning from a medical treatment abroad must submit a clearance certificate (via Pre-entry registration www.Ehteraz.gov.qa) from the Medical Treatment Abroad Committee; Patients and their one (1) fully vaccinated escort coming from green and yellow countries shall be on home quarantine depending on the required quarantine period (i.e. Green – 5 days; Yellow – 7 days); while patients coming from Red country will be subject to 10 days hotel quarantine, they will be accompanied by their escort even if the latter is vaccinated.
7. For unvaccinated lactating mothers, pregnant women, and those 75 years old and above will undergo the same testing and quarantine policy as to the rest of unvaccinated individuals.
– Testing and Quarantine Policy On Arrival in Qatar:
1. Travelers with symptoms will be tested as necessary as judged by the medical team at the ports.
2. Travelers who are unvaccinated, inoculated with vaccines not recognized in the State of Qatar, or who fall short of the 14 days vaccine administration period since the second dose will undergo:
a. Coming from Green countries: 5 days home quarantine and a repeat PCR test in PHCC on day 4, you will be discharged on day 5 if test is negative.
b. Coming from Yellow countries: 7 days hotel quarantine and a repeat PCR test (on traveller’s expense) in the hotel on day 6, you will be discharged on day 7 if test is negative.
c. Coming from Red countries: 10 days hotel quarantine and a repeat PCR on arrival in the hotel, and on day 9 (on traveller’s expense), you will be discharged on day 10 if test is negative.
3. Vaccinated travellers coming from Red countries will undergo a repeat PCR test (on traveller’s expense) on arrival in HIA/land border, if the test is positive, traveller must adhere to isolation protocol.
4. GCC citizens who do not hold a Qatari ID card shall be subject to a hotel quarantine for a period of (5) five days if traveling from countries on the Green List.

Group B: Family Visitors, Business, Leisure, including GCC residents (12 years old and above):
Entry is restricted to vaccinated, and/or recovered individuals as defined in numbers 13, 14, 15, 16 in the General policy.
Fully vaccinated individuals:

•  Exempted from quarantine if you are fully vaccinated with an MOPH recognized vaccine and at least (14) days have passed after receiving the second dose of a two-dose series vaccine or from the single dose in case of single-dose regime vaccine.
•  Minors between (0-11) years old accompanied by their fully vaccinated parents are exempted from the quarantine if traveling from countries on the Green List.
•  Minors between (0-11) years old accompanied by their fully vaccinated parents shall be subject to hotel quarantine for (07) days if traveling from countries on the Yellow List.
•  No exception for Minors traveling from countries on the Red List.
•  It is mandatory for travellers to install and activate Ehteraz app on their mobile phone using locally authorized SIM cards that can be obtained from one of the local providers (Ooredoo or Vodafone).

EHTERAZ APP. POLICY:

•  Travelers arriving or returning to the State of Qatar must download and activate the Ehteraz app on their mobiles upon arrival to the Port of Entry (PoE). To achieve that the below must be obtained by the traveller:
  o A Qatari SIM Card from a local telecom operator (Ooredoo and Vodafone).
  o Internet access.
  o A smartphone that supports either Android 6 and up or IOS 13.5 and higher.
  o Download the application on your mobile phone either via Google Play or Apple App Store or from any search engines on the internet.
  o Knowing that, SIM cards and smartphones are available for purchase at Hamad International Airport and Abu Samra port if the traveller does not have them before arrival.
•  Diplomats, administrative cardholders, and VVIP visitors are exempted.
•  Health status on Ehteraz will remain YELLOW for the whole of quarantine duration, and until a negative COVID-19 test result is obtained as per the quarantine policy stated above.
•  Health Status on Ehteraz for the fully vaccinated individuals in Qatar will remain GREEN with a Golden Frame to indicate they are exempted from quarantine if their PCR test result was negative and they completed (14) days after the second dose.
•  The Health Status on Ehteraz for citizens and residents who have been vaccinated abroad will remain GREEN without Golden Frame until their vaccination data are updated in the system.
•  The Health Status on Ehteraz for visitors who have been vaccinated abroad will remain GREEN without Golden Frame until their vaccination data are updated in the system

Travelers returning from Umrah:

•  Citizens and residents who came from Umrah and cannot provide a valid PCR test certificate should be allowed to board their flights but they must undergo PCR test upon arrival at Hamad International Airport or Abu Samra port on a standard fee of QAR 300/- per test.
•  All travellers must be vaccinated following KSA rules that only vaccinated individuals could perform Umrah and visit Makkah.
•  Individuals planning to travel for Umrah should refer to the policy and procedures announced by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs.

Effective Monday, August 2, 2021 at 12 noon local time on all passengers arriving in the State of Qatar following additional shall apply
1. With regard to travellers who have obtained the vaccination document from the Centers for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) issued by the United States of America:

•  Acceptance of vaccination certificates issued from abroad that are not verifiable, provided that the traveller undergoes a PCR test upon arrival in the State of Qatar and pay the examination fee of (300) Qatari riyals (as they are currently required to take a PCR test upon arrival in the State of Qatar / within 36 hours). US Military Air Base personnel (regardless of nationality) who hold a CDC vaccination card are treated in the same protocol as above.

2. With regard to travellers coming from the six East Asian countries (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka):

•  Citizens and residents who have been vaccinated or recovered in the State of Qatar will be subject to hotel quarantine for a period of two days, with a PCR test done on the second day, and they will be released on the same day if the result is negative.
•  Passengers (Qataris, residents, visitors) who have been vaccinated outside the State of Qatar with a vaccine recognized by the Ministry of Public Health, or those who have recovered outside the State of Qatar will be subject to quarantine at the hotel for a period of (10) days.
•  Citizens and residents who are not immunized will be subject to hotel quarantine for a period of (10) days.
•  Unprotected tourists/visitors: Entry is not permitted.

3. With regard to citizens and residents, the following will be applied immediately as of today’s date:

•  Pregnant and lactating women who have children up to two years old (regardless of whether they are accompanied by a fully immunized or recovered husband who did not accompany them) will be subject to home quarantine according to the classification of the country of departure, provided that the PCR test is applied according to the travel and return policy.
•  Citizens and residents aged (75) years and above will be subject to home quarantine according to the classification of the country of departure, provided that the PCR test is applied in accordance with the travel and return policy.

4. The protocol that will be applied to recipients of one of the vaccines with conditional approval (Sinopharm) in the event of a desire to be exempted from quarantine:

•  Qatari citizens: An antibody test will be conducted upon arrival in the State of Qatar at one of the port of entry for free, and if the result is positive, the traveller will be exempted from quarantine. Otherwise, they will be subject to home quarantine for a period of (05) days for those coming from countries classified within the green list, and hotel quarantine For a period of (07) days for those coming from countries classified within the yellow list, and hotel quarantine for a period of (10) days for those coming from countries classified within the list of red countries, as for those coming from the six countries located in East Asia – please see the point (No. 2 above).
•  Residents and visitors: An antibody test will be performed upon arrival at the hotel where the traveller will be required to book a quarantine hotel for a period depending on the country’s classification and if the result is positive, the traveller will be exempted on the first day with the application of the PCR test for those coming from the countries on the red list, and if they are Coming from the six East Asian countries who have received the Sinopharm vaccine, the antibody test is not applicable and they have to complete a 10-day hotel quarantine.

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