🇶🇦

Qatar

Travel Regulations

Last updated on August 4, 2021

Source: International Air Transport Association (IATA)

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;
- residents of Qatar;
- passengers with a Diplomatic ID issued by the MOFA of Qatar;
- passengers with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated with AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Janssen, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) or Sinopharm at least 14 days before arrival;
- minors younger than 18 years accompanied by their parents who were fully vaccinated with AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Janssen, Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) at least 14 days before arrival. They must not be arriving from a red country listed on https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/travel-and-return-policy/Pages/default.aspx ;
- passengers with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they received the first vaccine dose of AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) at least 14 days before arrival and with a COVID-19 recovery certificate issued in the past 12 months in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia or United Arab Emirates.
2. 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.
3. Passengers arriving from a country other than Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines or Sri Lanka must have a quarantine hotel reservation for 5, 7 or 10 days made at https://tinyurl.com/yrsr62um . Details can be found at https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/travel-and-return-policy/Pages/default.aspx .
- This does not apply to:
- nationals and residents of Qatar with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated with AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Janssen, Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) at least 14 days before arrival, and their accompanying minors younger than 12 years;
- nationals and residents of Qatar with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they received the first vaccine dose of AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) at least 14 days before arrival and with a COVID-19 recovery certificate issued in the past 12 months in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia or United Arab Emirates, and their accompanying minors younger than 12 years.
- nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated with AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Janssen, Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) at least 14 days before arrival, and their accompanying minors younger than 17 years if they have a Qatari residence card (QID);
- nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they received the first vaccine dose of AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) at least 14 days before arrival and with a COVID-19 recovery certificate issued in the past 12 months in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia or United Arab Emirates, and their accompanying minors younger than 17 years if they have a Qatari residence card (QID);
- passengers arriving from a green country listed on https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/travel-and-return-policy/Pages/default.aspx with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated with AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Janssen, Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) at least 14 days before arrival, and their accompanying minors younger than 12 years;
- passengers arriving from a green country listed on https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/travel-and-return-policy/Pages/default.aspx with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they received the first vaccine dose of AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) at least 14 days before arrival and with a COVID-19 recovery certificate issued in the past 12 months in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia or United Arab Emirates, and their accompanying minors younger than 12 years;
- nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates with a Qatari residence card (QID) arriving from a green country listed on https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/travel-and-return-policy/Pages/default.aspx
4. Passengers arriving from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines or Sri Lanka:
- must have a quarantine hotel reservation for 2 days made at https://tinyurl.com/yrsr62um , if they have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate issued in Qatar or a COVID-19 recovery certificate issued in the past 12 months in Qatar; or
- must have a quarantine hotel reservation for 10 days made at https://tinyurl.com/yrsr62um .
Details can be found at https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/travel-and-return-policy/Pages/default.aspx .
5. Passengers must register at https://www.ehteraz.gov.qa/ at least 12 hours before arrival.
- This does not apply to nationals and residents of Qatar.
6. Passengers could be subject to home quarantine or quarantine in a hotel for up to 10 days; details can be found at Qatar-Travel-Policyy.aspx">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 with AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Janssen, Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) at least 14 days before arrival, and their accompanying minors younger than 12 years;
- nationals and residents of Qatar with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they received the first vaccine dose of AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) at least 14 days before arrival and with a COVID-19 recovery certificate issued in the past 12 months in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia or United Arab Emirates, and their accompanying minors younger than 12 years.
- nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated with AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Janssen, Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) at least 14 days before arrival;
- nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they received the first vaccine dose of AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) at least 14 days before arrival and with a COVID-19 recovery certificate issued in the past 12 months in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia or United Arab Emirates.
7. Passengers could be subject to a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival; details can be found at Qatar-Travel-Policyy.aspx">https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/Pages/Qatar-Travel-Policyy.aspx .
8. Passengers with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated with Sinopharm at least 14 days before arrival are subject to a COVID-19 antibody test upon arrival.
- This does not apply to passengers arriving from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines or Sri Lanka.
9. Nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are not allowed to enter with a national ID card.
10. Visa on arrival facilities restarted.

Other Info

Last updated on April 29, 2021

Source: Foreign travel advice, Gov.UK/ Qatar Government/ Qatar Airways/ Ministry of Health/

🗞Latest News

Quarantine requirement at government designated site.

From 25 April 2021, all residents returning to Qatar will be exempt from quarantine provided they have completed a vaccination course as recognised by MoPH Qatar (namely Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson), their last vaccination dose having been administered 14 days prior to entry to Qatar and are able to provide a negative PCR test certificate recognised by the Health Department in the departing country.

For residents returning to Qatar after 29 November 2020, the quarantine period will be for 7 days. For those returning from a country not included on the Qatar Ministry of Public Health's ‘Green List’, a mandatory 7 day hotel quarantine will apply.

From 22 December 2020, all residents arriving on flights originating in the UK will be required to stay at a designated hotel for their quarantine period. These must be booked through the Discover Qatar website.

🤒Certification Status

COVID-19 negative certification not required / not known

From 25 April 2021, all residents returning to Qatar will need to provide a negative PCR test certificate, recognised by the Health Department in the departing country. This test having been taken no more than 72 hours before arrival into Qatar.

🗺Travel Restrictions

Latest News

International Restrictions

Entry to Qatar

From 1 August 2020, British nationals currently outside of Qatar and holding a Qatar residence permit are allowed to enter the country, subject to receiving prior approval. From 29 November 2020, any resident leaving Qatar will automatically receive their Exceptional Entry Permit, and there will no longer be a need to apply through the Qatar Portal website. This permit will be available to print from the Ministry of Interior website once the resident's departure has been registered. Please ensure you have a printed copy with you when you travel.

From 29 April 2021, all residents returning to Qatar with previously booked hotel quarantine should be aware that all existing packages have been cancelled by Discover Qatar / Qatar Airways following amendments to mandatory hotel quarantine for those travelling from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines and Sri Lanka. To rebook your quarantine package, where appropriate, visit Qatar Airways Quarantine Booking travelling from UK</a>. Information about the refund of your original booking can be found on the same page.

Further information on Qatar's entry and arrival requirements can be found on the Ministry of Public Health website. Following the opening of the air, land and sea borders between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, all arrivals to Qatar from the Abu Samra border crossing are required to undergo a COVID-19 test and obtain a virus-free certificate no more than 72 hours before travel. Further information can be found from the Government Communications Office statement here.

Transiting Qatar

Transit passengers travelling on to another destination can still transfer through Qatar, and many flights continue to operate. You should check with your airline or travel company for the latest information if you are planning to leave or transit through Qatar. Flights are subject to change or cancellation at short notice. Whilst in transit at Hamad International Airport, you will receive regular thermal screening and temperature checks. You should contact your tour operator, transport or accommodation provider for information on the impact on any existing travel plans.

Testing on arrival

Thermal screening and temperature checks will take place on arrival, as will a swab test for coronavirus.

Quarantine requirements

With effect from 29 November 2020, all residents returning from the UK will need to quarantine for 7 days in a government-approved hotel, at their own expense. This must be booked through the Discover Qatar website. From 22 December 2020, all residents arriving on flights originating in the UK will be required to stay at a designated hotel for their quarantine period. These must be booked through the Discover Qatar webiste.

Data collection

Downloading Qatar's track and trace app, Ehteraz, is mandatory for everyone in Qatar. You will be asked to show the app upon arrival.

Internal Restrictions

Travel in Qatar

Qatar's Ministry of Public Health has published advice on how to limit the spread of coronavirus, and has introduced a number of precautionary restrictions on travel and events in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Public transport, including the metro and bus services, began running a limited service on 1 September 2020. No more than four people are allowed in a vehicle, if they are not part of the same family. The authorities may also stop vehicles to enquire about the reason for the journey.

It is mandatory to wear a face mask whenever you are outside your home, unless you are alone whilst driving a vehicle or exercising. From 22 May 2020, it is also compulsory to have Qatar's contact tracing app, Ehteraz, downloaded and working on your smartphone whenever you leave the house. The authorities are deploying mobile patrols and setting up checkpoints to prevent social gatherings and check compliance with other measures.

Anyone violating these could incur a fine of up to QR200,000 and a prison sentence not exceeding three years, or one of those two penalties.

Accommodation

Hotels are open, and facilities (ie gyms, pool) have reopened subject to restrictions on capacity. Some hotels are being used as quarantine locations.

Public places and services

With effect from 4 February 2021 a number of restrictions have been implemented. These have included the reduction in numbers at gathering – 5 indoors and 15 outdoors, capacity restrictions in restaurants, malls and outdoor swimming pools. Capacity has also been restricted on the metro and buses. Playgrounds and exercise equipment in public space have also been closed. Mosques and hairdressers also have restrictions on capacity.

Schools continue to operate a blended approach to education – a mix of in person lessons and on line learning. For further details you should contact the school direct.

Latest airline news

Qatar Airways

February 1, 2021

Qatar Airways says new bookings from UAE, South Africa, Rwanda are temporarily suspended

Traveling abroad 🌎?

Traveling inside US 🇺🇸?

🇶🇦