Qatar Reopens for Fully Vaccinated International Tourists

International travelers fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can now enter Qatar again. They do not need to be quarantined upon their entry to the country. This new regulation that came into force last month also applies to all minors under 12 who are travel companions of adult travelers. 

Requirements for Fully Vaccinated Travelers to Qatar

To avoid a 10-day quarantine after arrival in Qatar, the vaccination proof must confirm that a traveler has taken a full dose of COVID-19 vaccination. The last vaccination dose must be received at least 2 weeks before intended arrival in Qatar. Moreover, the vaccination manufacturer must be one of those approved by the Ministry of Public Health of Qatar. The approved vaccination manufacturers are as follows:

• Moderna
• Sinopharm
• AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria)
• Janssen
• Pfizer-BioNTech

Important note:  Sinopharm vaccination is treated in Qatar as a conditional vaccine. It does not exempt then foreign visitors from the necessity to undergo COVID-19 antibody tests that must be taken upon their arrival at Doha Airport. In case of a positive result, a 10-day quarantine will be necessary. 

COVID-19 Test Still Obligatory to Enter Qatar

Fully vaccinated travelers still need to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test result to enter Qatar. The test cannot be taken earlier than 72 hours before entering Qatar. What is more, the test needs to be issued by one of the testing centers approved by the government of Qatar. The only exceptional country, the citizens of which do not need to take a PCR test, are travelers coming from Umrah, Saudi Arabia.

All travelers to Qatar must submit the negative PCR test result, vaccination certificate as well as hotel accommodation for possible quarantine. Those details need to be uploaded to the Ehteraz website up to 12 hours in advance of the planned arrival in Qatar.

Requirements for Unvaccinated Travelers Arriving in Qatar

Unvaccinated international travelers who wish to visit Qatar or those not fully vaccinated can enter the country under certain conditions. They are also obliged to be quarantined. 
The Qatari authorities classified travelers into 3 categories according to the COVID cases number in their home countries.

These categories include:

• Green - Travelers need to quarantine themselves for 5 days and take an RT-PCR test on the 4th quarantine day.
• Yellow - Passengers are required to a 7-day quarantine at a hotel, and on the 6th day, they must take an RT-PCR test. 
• Red - Foreigners included in the red group are obliged to a 10-day quarantine and take an RT-PCR test on the 7th quarantine day.

Fully vaccinated travelers categorized in a red group are additionally required to undergo PCR testing at Doha Airport. In case of a positive result, a 10-day quarantine is needed. 

Tourist e-Visa to Qatar

All tourists who now wish to visit Qatar can apply online for a tourist visa. Qatar tourist e-Visa is issued as a single-entry authorization, and its holder is allowed up to a 30-day stay in Qatar. The validity of an electronic visa to Qatar is 1 month starting from the arrival date in the country. 

Avoid unnecessary formalities before your trip to Qatar and apply online for an e-visa which means no Embassy visits whatsoever! Please remember to do it at least 5 business days before your Qatari trip!